When a person dies, their assets, contractual obligations and debts become part of their estate. The estate ceases to exist once the distribution of the inheritance has been completed, that is, when any assets have been divided among the heirs.
Check what information the deceased left behind
Check whether the deceased kept information about insurance policies, bank accounts, investments and any will in a folder, a safe-deposit box, Vita arkivet or Livsarkivet. Also check whether there is a will naming a specific person as executor and giving them responsibility for administering the estate.
For further information about estates (skatteverket.se, in Swedish) External link.
If the deceased had wishes
Check whether the deceased left information about insurance, bank accounts, assets and any will, and whether an executor or administrator is named.
Is there any executor named?
Check whether the deceased left a will naming a specific person as executor. The executor is entitled to administer all or part of the estate instead of the beneficiaries of the estate.
If no executor has been named, the beneficiaries of the estate are responsible for managing the estate themselves or appointing someone to do so.
Take things at your own pace
A death affects people in different ways. Some want to deal with practical matters as soon as possible, while others find it difficult to cope with them. Prioritise the most important things first and feel free to ask others for help.
Use the checklist to get an overview of what needs to be done after a death. Take one thing at a time, in the order that suits you, and adapt the list to your situation.
Checklist – after a death
Use the checklist to get an overview of what needs to be done after a death. Take one thing at a time, in the order that suits you, and adapt the list to your situation.
Obtain a death certificate
If you are a widow, widower, child or other relative managing the estate, you may need a death certificate with a family record. The death certificate shows when the person died, while the family record may show who the surviving relatives are.
A certificate confirming the person's death may be required to cancel agreements and direct debits or when dealing with insurance companies and an estate administrator.
You can order a death certificate with a family record from the Swedish Tax Agency by calling 0771 567 567, or ask a funeral director for assistance.
Death certificate with a family record (skatteverket.se, in Swedish) External link.
Obtain a certificate for cremation and burial
A cremation and burial certificate is an extract from the population register that is required when someone is to be cremated or buried. The funeral director or church will normally obtain this certificate. Otherwise, you can contact the Swedish Tax Agency to obtain one.
Certificate for collecting post addressed to the estate
If someone outside the immediate family needs to collect letters, parcels or other items addressed to the estate, the funeral director must issue a certificate known as a vårdnadsintyg.
- The vårdnadsintyg must be signed and kept by the postal service point handling deliveries to the estate's address. If a spouse or registered partner collects the items instead, they must present a death certificate with a family record at the service point.
- A vårdnadsintyg is valid for four months after the death, until the estate notification or estate inventory has been completed.
Obtain a power of attorney for the estate
It may be practical for one person to manage the estate. This could, for example, be the widow, widower or a child who is a beneficiary of the estate. It may also be a cohabiting partner or another representative appointed by the beneficiaries of the estate.
The person managing the estate needs a written power of attorney from all beneficiaries of the estate.
If the person managing the estate is an external estate administrator appointed by the District Court, no power of attorney is required.
Power of attorney to represent the estate
t may be practical for one person to administer the estate; for example, the widow, widower or one of the children who are parties to the estate. It may even be a cohabiting partner or an external estate administrator, or some other representative. The person administering the estate requires a signed power of attorney from each of the parties to the estate. Efterlevandeguiden includes a template for a power of attorney for the estate in PDF format that you can download and print out.
Other organisations may have their own forms
In some situations, specific requirements must be met for a power of attorney to be valid. For example, banks may have their own forms for authorising someone to represent an estate in dealings with the bank. Contact the estate's bank, financial institution or insurance company to find out what requirements apply.
It is possible to file a tax return electronically on behalf of an estate. The beneficiaries of the estate can authorise one of the beneficiaries to sign the application to appoint a representative.
Representatives
For a representative to access information and documents held by the Swedish Tax Agency, the power of attorney must explicitly state that it includes the right to access such information and documents.
If you need to request information from the Swedish Tax Agency
How you access information or documents protected by confidentiality depends on whether you are the sole beneficiary of the estate, whether there are several beneficiaries, or whether you are acting as a representative of the estate.
If you need to request information (skatteverket.se, in Swedish) External link.
If you are acting as a representative and wish to access information and documents held by the Swedish Tax Agency under a power of attorney, the power of attorney must explicitly state that it includes the right to access such information and documents.
Lifting of confidentiality via power of attorney (skatteverket.se, in Swedish) External link.
Redirecting the estate’s post
Approximately one week after the death, the Swedish Tax Agency will send a letter asking whether the estate wishes to register a new address. The Swedish Tax Agency does not notify other organisations of the new address.
If you want all post to be sent to a new address, you need to arrange mail redirection through Svensk Adressändring. Its website provides information about the fee. The cost should be paid by the estate. If the estate has insufficient funds, you will need to pay the fee yourself if you want the deceased's post to be redirected.
Please note that an income tax return cannot be redirected. To receive the tax return, you need to register the correct address with the Swedish Tax Agency.
Cancel or transfer subscriptions
You need to decide whether subscriptions in the deceased's name should be cancelled or transferred to someone else. This also applies to agreements for services such as electricity, waste collection, TV, telephone and home insurance. You should also review memberships and subscriptions.
Bank services are automatically blocked
Banks are automatically informed when someone dies. Some of the services used by the deceased are then automatically terminated. Which services are blocked may vary between banks.
Debts of the estate
You are not personally liable for the deceased's debts. If the estate is unable to pay, some debts may be written off. The estate must first pay the costs of the funeral and estate inventory. Some bills addressed to the deceased do not need to be paid immediately. Instead, contact the companies that issued the bills and inform them of the death.
If the estate does not have enough money to pay its debts, the estate can be declared bankrupt. Apply for bankruptcy to the District Court for the area where the deceased was registered. There is no application fee if there is only one beneficiary of the estate or if all beneficiaries submit a joint application for the estate to be declared bankrupt.
Applying for bankruptcy
If the estate does not have enough money to pay its debts, the estate can be declared bankrupt. Apply for bankruptcy to the District Court for the area where the deceased was registered. There is no application fee if there is only one beneficiary of the estate or if all beneficiaries submit a joint application for the estate to be declared bankrupt.
When someone is declared bankrupt (domstol.se) External link.
Change the estate's address
After someone has died, the estate's post may need to be redirected to ensure that it reaches the right address. This may be necessary, for example, if no one remains in the deceased's home or if one person is responsible for handling the estate's post. It is important that letters from government agencies, banks and companies reach the right person.
Who can change the address of an estate?
A beneficiary of the estate can normally change the address. If several people are responsible for the estate, it is a good idea to decide at an early stage who will handle the post and deal with government agencies and companies. In some cases, a power of attorney may be required.
How to change the address
- Arrange for the post to be redirected.
- Register a special postal address.
- Change the address with individual companies and organisations.
- Contact Svensk Adressändring's customer service to have the estate's post redirected to a specific address, for example to a beneficiary of the estate or an estate administrator.
How do I deal with post from government agencies and companies?
Not all organisations are automatically informed of a new address. You may therefore also need to contact banks, insurance companies, subscription providers and other companies separately.
- Please note that an income tax return cannot be redirected. To receive the tax return, you need to register the correct address with the Swedish Tax Agency.
- If the estate's post is being sent to a care home, you need to register a new address for the estate with the Swedish Tax Agency. Ask the staff at the care home whether they can forward the post to another address. Otherwise, you will need to notify those who usually send post to the deceased.
- The Swedish Tax Agency will send a letter asking whether the estate wishes to register a new address for use by the Agency.
- If you change the address with the Swedish Tax Agency, the new address will not be passed on to other organisations.
- If the estate wishes to change its address at a later date, the change must be submitted to the Swedish Tax Agency in writing by post. The notification must be signed by all beneficiaries of the estate, or by one beneficiary acting under a power of attorney from the others. The power of attorney must state that it covers notification of a new address.
How do I deal with digital post?
If the deceased had a digital mailbox, such as Kivra, it is a good idea to find out how their digital post is handled.
Some digital services are terminated automatically after a death, while other information may remain available for a period of time.
What should I consider if I am a beneficiary of the estate and I move?
If you are managing the estate and move after the death, you should notify Svensk Adressändring of your move. When Svensk Adressändring adds the deceased's personal details, the estate's post will also be included in the redirection.
If you move, you also need to contact the Swedish Tax Agency to provide the estate's new address.
Things to remember
- Check the post regularly.
- Notify important organisations of any change of address when necessary.
- Keep important letters and documents.
- Cancel mail redirection when it is no longer needed.
Once the estate inventory has been registered
Once the estate inventory has been registered by the Swedish Tax Agency, you can change ownership details for homes and other properties, transfer loans and close bank accounts.
Registration of ownership following inheritance (lantmateriet.se) External link.
The registered owner of a vehicle can be changed even before the estate inventory has been completed. Contact the Swedish Transport Agency for more information.
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