What to do when a Wealthsimple account holder dies
Contact Wealthsimple — 5-step process, 4 required documents, and initial response within 2-3 business days; full settlement timeline varies based on complexity and documentation
Wealthsimple Client Success
Phone1-855-255-9038
Mailing Address
Wealthsimple Inc., 80 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 2J4, Canada
WebsiteLearn more→
Wealthsimple Client Success
Phone1-855-255-9038
Mailing Address
Wealthsimple Inc., 80 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 2J4, Canada
WebsiteLearn more→
Wealthsimple Estates Team
Phone1-855-255-9038
Mailing Address
Wealthsimple Inc., 80 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 2J4, Canada
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
What happens to Wealthsimple investment accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Wealthsimple's Wealthsimple Estates Team (1-855-255-9038) to claim the funds.
Death claims at Wealthsimple can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Wealthsimple:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Wealthsimple's support team to initiate the estate settlement process:
- Phone: 1-855-255-9038 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm ET)
- Email: support@wealthsimple.com
- Live chat available through the Wealthsimple website or app
2
You will receive an email from Wealthsimple's estates team within 2-3 business days with further instructions
3
Prepare common documents while waiting for the estates team response:
- Death certificate
- Letter of Direction from the executor with instructions to liquidate and pay out the estate
- Probate document (Certificate of Appointment, Grant of Administration, etc.) if already obtained - provide a notarial or certified true copy
4
Asset distribution depends on account type:
- Registered accounts with a named beneficiary: assets distributed directly to the beneficiary
- Non-registered accounts or accounts without a named beneficiary: assets paid out to the estate of the deceased client
5
The beneficiary and/or estate executor does not need to be a Wealthsimple client to receive assets
Required Documents
- Death certificate
- Letter of Direction from the executor
- Probate document (Certificate of Appointment, Grant of Administration) - notarial or certified true copy
- Government-issued photo ID of the executor or beneficiary
Wealthsimple's estates team only settles existing Wealthsimple accounts. Executors cannot transfer accounts from other financial institutions to the deceased client's Wealthsimple profile. This process applies to Canadian accounts only. Former US clients were transitioned to Betterment in 2021 - contact Betterment for US account death claims.
Expected timelines at Wealthsimple: Initial response within 2-3 business days; full settlement timeline varies based on complexity and documentation. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Wealthsimple requires Death certificate, Letter of Direction from the executor, Probate document (Certificate of Appointment, Grant of Administration) - notarial or certified true copy, and Government-issued photo ID of the executor or beneficiary to process a death claim. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Contact Wealthsimple's support team by phone at 1-855-255-9038, by email at support@wealthsimple.com, or via live chat on the website or app. You will receive an email from the estates team within 2-3 business days with further instructions. While waiting, prepare the death certificate, a Letter of Direction from the executor, and any probate documents you have.
No. The beneficiary and/or estate executor does not need to be a Wealthsimple client to receive assets from a deceased client's account. Wealthsimple will coordinate the payout directly.
Wealthsimple's Wealthsimple Estates Team can be reached by phone at 1-855-255-9038 and email at support@wealthsimple.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Wealthsimple Client Success
Phone1-855-255-9038
Mailing Address
Wealthsimple Inc., 80 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 2J4, Canada
WebsiteLearn more→
Wealthsimple Client Success
Phone1-855-255-9038
Mailing Address
Wealthsimple Inc., 80 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 2J4, Canada
WebsiteLearn more→
Wealthsimple Estates Team
Phone1-855-255-9038
Mailing Address
Wealthsimple Inc., 80 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 2J4, Canada
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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