Estate of the Deceased and Probate Settlement

• It can be helpful to contact a funeral director in the event of a death. They will assist you with practical tasks following the death and notify the district court, which will then send you a letter with practical information. In the letter, you will be asked to decide how the estate should be settled.

You must submit a financial power of attorney to us to obtain an overview of the deceased's assets and liabilities with the bank.

• Obtain a financial power of attorney
  Before deciding what should be done with the estate, you should obtain an overview of the deceased's assets and liabilities. To do this, you need a financial power of attorney, which you can obtain by contacting the district court. The power of attorney gives you access to an overview of the deceased's banking affairs and tax information.
  

  A surviving spouse can gain access to the deceased's customer relationships without a power of attorney for assets during the first 60 days after the date of death.

• Issue a probate notice
  Unsure whether the deceased left behind more debt than assets, for example with multiple creditors? In that case, you can ask the district court to issue a probate notice. A probate notice is an announcement published in the Norwegian Official Gazette and certain newspapers, requiring creditors to submit their claims within six weeks, after which the claim lapses. However, this does not apply to secured debt.

• You can submit a power of attorney for assets by logging in or by regular post.

The district court will send out practical information after notification of death, and request that a decision be made regarding the form of probate and how the estate is to be settled. Division of an estate refers to the settlement and distribution of the estate.

• There are different forms of division of an estate. The most common are:

  • Private settlement of an estate – the estate is divided among the heirs. At least one of the heirs must take responsibility for the deceased's debts.
  • Uskifte – a spouse or cohabitant takes over the deceased's assets and debts without settling the estate with other heirs.
  • Private settlement of an estate with limited value where the district court issues authorisation to one person who manages the assets.
  • Public settlement of an estate – The district court appoints a lawyer (estate administrator) who manages the estate, for example when the heirs disagree, there is doubt about heirs, or no one takes over the estate for private settlement.

  See more types of estate settlement at The Norwegian Courts

  You must notify the district court within 60 days from the date of death about which form of probate you choose. The form for division of an estate is sent to the district court where the deceased resided.

  The district court issues a grant of probate when division of an estate has been chosen. The probate certificate shows the heirs and who has assumed responsibility for the deceased's debts.

• To gain access to the deceased's bank funds, you must submit the correct documentation. This also applies even if you were an authorised user on the deceased's account before the death.

• Copy of grant of probate – this states who the heirs are in the estate. The form for grant of probate can be found at domstol.no

• Copy of any powers of attorney from heirs
  If there are multiple heirs, the person who takes responsibility for the estate settlement must remember to obtain written authorisation from the other heirs.

  Heirs can also provide authorisation themselves here by Log in and complete authorisation. The power of attorney granted applies to DNB and Sbanken, not other parties.

• Copy of valid proof of identity (passport, national ID card, driving licence) with signature from the person responsible for the estate (attorney) who is not a bank customer at DNB.

• Submit documents by logging in here or by regular post.

• When several heirs are responsible for the estate, they must act jointly. This means that for settlement of customer accounts, transfer of funds and payment of bills, all must sign the instruction before it can be executed by the bank. Those who are not bank customers at DNB/Sbanken must also enclose a copy of proof of identity with signature.

  If one person is appointed as responsible for the estate, authorisation for this can be submitted. Each individual heir can complete and submit authorisation by logging in. The authorisation granted applies to DNB and Sbanken, not other parties.

  Alternatively, written authorisation
  Uploaded or sent by Regular post.

• The deceased's customer relationship is blocked upon notification of death. This means that

  • authorised users or others with access to accounts cannot use the deceased's funds until inheritance documents have been received.
  • All cards linked to the deceased will stop working and must be cut up and disposed of.
  • BankID, online banking, SMS services and the mobile banking app are personal and will therefore be deleted.
  • Standing payment agreements are stopped and deleted, because the deceased's online banking is deleted and the account is blocked. Suppliers will then normally send paper invoices by post, which makes it easier for next of kin to monitor payment agreements on an ongoing basis and request any payment deferral.
  • Direct debits from the account to mortgages in DNB continue even though the customer relationship is blocked.
  • Accounts remain open for deposits.

• Standing payment agreements Are stopped and deleted because online banking is deleted and the account is blocked. Suppliers will then normally send paper invoices by post, which makes it easier for next of kin to see on an ongoing basis payment agreements and request any payment deferral.

• Before you have received grant of probate from the district court the bank can pay bills in the deceased's name, related to:

  • Funeral ceremony
  • Rent – including for sheltered housing and nursing home stays
  • Electricity
  • Telephone
  • Property insurance
  • Outstanding tax

  It is not possible to refund amounts that have already been paid.

  Grant of probate must be received within a maximum of three months from the date of death, if bills are to continue being paid from the deceased's account.

• After you have received grant of probate from the district court you have the opportunity to gain access to the deceased's funds, and can therefore also pay bills yourself.

  If the person responsible for the estate was an authorised user on the deceased's account before the death, access from their own online bank will continue as soon as the probate documents have been processed.

• Pay bills

  If the bills are to be sent to the bank and paid from the deceased's account, all heirs must sign the bills before submission. If one of several heirs has assumed responsibility for the estate, and any powers of attorney have been submitted, only the authorised holder needs to sign.

  Must you pay the bills yourself? If the person responsible for the estate had access to the deceased's account before the death, the account will be made available again once the grant of probate with any powers has been submitted and processed. If the person responsible for the estate did not have access to the account previously, it may be advisable to open an account for the estate in your own online bank, to pay bills and distribute inheritance from the new account.

  You can upload bills by logging in here or send them by regular post.

• Before you can gain access to the deceased's funds, you must first have submitted the grant of probate, any powers and proof of identity with signature if you are not a bank customer with DNB/Sbanken.

  If the person responsible for the estate was an authorised user on the deceased's account in the period before the death, access from your own online bank will continue as soon as the probate documents have been fully processed.

  If the estate has been taken over jointly by several heirs, and no person responsible for the estate has been appointed, we require a signed notice of settlement from all heirs, and valid proof of identity with signature from those who are not bank customers with DNB/Sbanken. You can complete the notice of transfer of funds and settlement by Use of BankID in the link below.

  You can also complete the Settlement Document (PDF) And upload it under 'Document Submission', or send it by regular post.

  Settlement Document (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

• Mortgage

  Fixed direct debits from an account for a mortgage at DNB or Sbanken will continue after death.

  If the deceased has a loan at DNB or Sbanken, it must be repaid, refinanced, or transferred as soon as possible, normally within six months from the date of death.

  As long as the probate process is ongoing, the loan can remain in the deceased's name and be paid as normal. If the loan is automatically debited from the deceased's account, the debit will continue as long as there are sufficient funds in the account.

• Other Loans

  Fixed direct debits for other types of loans than mortgages at DNB or Sbanken are stopped, and invoices are sent by post to the deceased's address. This makes it easier for the bereaved to monitor payment arrangements on an ongoing basis and request any payment deferral if necessary.

• Taking Over a Loan

  If any of the heirs wish to take over the loan, this is done by submitting an application for a new loan.

  In an undivided estate, the loan will be registered to the surviving partner. The same may apply where the partner takes over the estate in a private division of an estate together with joint children. See different forms of division of an estate.

  If the deceased has a loan together with another person, the heirs must make an agreement with the co-borrower about who must pay and settle the loan. Both heirs and co-borrower are jointly liable for the loan.

• Credit card debt

  Credit cards are blocked from use. Debt on credit cards must be paid in full, normally within two weeks from when the heirs have been notified.

• Surety

  If the deceased has acted as guarantor for another person's loan, this must be resolved during the probate process. Heirs who assume responsibility for debt are also jointly liable for obligations related to the guarantee.

• Notification of early repayment of a mortgage can be made by logging in here or sent by regular post.

• Often there will be a need to sell the deceased's property. Arrange a meeting with DNB Eiendom to receive advice and assistance that makes it easier to value and sell property in an estate.

  If one or more of the heirs wish to take over the property, a grant of probate with any powers and statement of title must be submitted to The Norwegian Mapping Authority.

Many people have private insurance policies with DNB in addition to being insured through their employment. When the death is registered in the National Population Register, a letter with information about the deceased's life and pension insurance policies with DNB is sent to the deceased's address.

• DNB Liv and Fremtind
  With DNB, the deceased may have insurance policies both with DNB Liv and with Fremtind Forsikring, which is an insurance provider with us.

• Find the deceased's life insurance policies and pensions at Norsk pensjon
  If you are an authorised representative or heir and wish to obtain information about where the deceased held life insurance policies and pensions, you can receive an overview by submitting a form to Norsk Pensjon

• Group life insurance through employment
  If the deceased was insured through employment, the employer must remember to notify the insurance company of the death. You can contact the employer and ask them to do this to shorten the waiting time for any payout.

• Settlement with DNB Liv

  Depending on the coverage of the insurance policy, the settlement is made to the beneficiary, spouse or heirs according to law or will.

  Before DNB Liv can assess the settlement, the following is usually required:

  • Copy of probate certificate or certificate of undivided estate, if not already submitted.
  • The account number of the person or persons who must receive the payment, who must also be verified in DNB.
  • Copy of any will, as the policy may be a beneficiary in the will.
  • Any powers of attorney from heirs.
  • Death certificate if the deceased was resident abroad.

  Life insurance
  Usually paid out to the beneficiary, surviving spouse or any heirs.

  Private pension schemes
  May be linked to a pension for the benefit of survivors or the estate. This depends on the coverage in the policy.

  Occupational pension schemes
  May be linked to a pension for the benefit of children under 18 or 21 years of age, or registered spouse/cohabitant or divorced spouse.

  For a former spouse to be entitled to a payout, the law states that

  • The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years
  • The divorced spouse must have been at least 45 years old at the time of the divorce
  • The divorced spouse must not have remarried
  • The deceased must have had a collective pension agreement with spousal cover during the marriage
  • The divorced spouse must not have previously waived the right to the spouse's pension

  Some agreements provide cover for payouts to cohabitants. The definition of a cohabitant depends on the terms of the agreement.

  Contact DNB Liv
  Get in touch for more information about life and pension insurance by calling 915 04800 and stating "DNB Liv", or send your enquiry via regular post or by email pensjon.privat@dnb.no.

• Settlement with Fremtind Forsikring

  Fremtind is a provider of personal and general insurance at DNB. If the deceased had insurance policies provided by Fremtind, you should still contact us at DNB.

  General insurance
  Insurance on vehicles, property, valuables, travel and pets continues to be valid as long as premiums are paid. You should contact us to clarify how the insurance policies should be handled in connection with the estate.

  Payment protection insurance
  If the deceased had payment protection insurance on credit card and consumer loan, the balance may be written off after notification of death, provided that the terms and conditions are met.

  Contact us
  Do you have questions or need to get in touch? Call us on 915 04800 and 915 04818 for claims settlement, or send your enquiry online or by regular post.

• Done!

• If the deceased held shares, you can either take over the shares or sell the shares and close the account.

  Before you submit notification of the sale of shares, check which type of account the shares are held in – ASK or ordinary VPS account. Information about this can be found in the engagement overview.

  If the shares are held in a share savings account, Fill in the form under section 14 and upload the form there. If the funds are held in an ordinary VPS account, Log in and report the sale directly via the link below, or fill in the form for 'Settlement of securities', log in and upload it or send it by regular post.

  If you have any questions, you can contact us on 915 04800 and state "shares", and we will help you.

  Settlement of securities (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

• If the deceased held shares, you can either transfer the shares or sell the shares and close the account.

  Before you submit notification of share transfer, check which type of account the shares are held in - share savings account or ordinary VPS account. You can find information about this in the engagement overview.

  If the shares are held in a share savings account, Complete the form under point 14 and upload the form via the link provided.

  If the funds are held in an ordinary VPS account, Log in and report the transfer directly via the link below, or complete the form for 'Settlement of securities', log in and upload it or send it by regular post.

  All heirs must have opened the same type of securities account (ordinary VPS account or share savings account) as the deceased's shares are held in before the assignment is submitted.

  If you have any questions, you can contact us on 915 04800 and state "shares", and we will help you.

  Settlement of securities (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

• If the deceased has a share savings account, the account can either be transferred to heirs or be closed and paid out to an account. When the account is closed, all shares and funds are sold. Any gains are subject to tax.​

  Before you submit the form for the share savings account, check which type of account the shares are held in - ASK, ordinary VPS account or mutual fund account. Information about this can be found in the holdings overview. If you have not received this, please contact us.

  All heirs who are to receive funds and/or shares from the deceased's share savings account must have opened a share savings account in their own name before the form is submitted to us.

  Fill in the form in writing, log in and upload the form via the link below or send it by regular post.

  If you have any questions, you can contact us on 915 04800 and state "funds and shares", and we will help you.

  Form for transfer of share savings account (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

  Form for distribution to heirs (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

  Form to close share savings account (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

• If the deceased held funds, you can either transfer or sell the funds and close the account.

  If you wish to transfer the funds, you must be a customer of DNB or Sbanken. If you are not already a customer with us, you can easily become a customer.

  Before you submit the settlement form, check which type of account the funds are held in - general mutual fund account or share savings account. You can find information about this in the engagement overview. If you have not received this, please contact us.

  If the funds are held in a share savings account (ASK), fill in the form under point 14 and upload the form via the link there.

  If the funds are held in a general mutual fund account, log in directly via the link below and fill in the information for transfer or sale of funds.

  You can also fill out the 'settlement document' in writing, log in and upload it or send it by regular post.

  All beneficiaries who are to receive funds must have opened the same type of account in their own name as the deceased had before the form is submitted to us (either a general fund account or a share savings account).

  Settlement document (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

If the deceased had Individual Pension Savings (IPS), the savings amount will be paid out to survivors or to the estate. Survivors may be children, spouse, cohabitant or registered partner.

• The savings amount is distributed among the survivors as follows:

  • When children under 21 years of age have received their share, the remainder of the savings amount is distributed as a pension to the spouse, registered partner or cohabitant. The pension must be paid out over at least 10 years, but may be recalculated if the annual payout is less than 20% of the base amount in the National Insurance Scheme.
  • If the children are over 21 years of age, the IPS is distributed to the spouse, registered partner or cohabitant.

• The pension capital is paid directly to the estate if:

  • The savings amount is greater than what is needed to secure the children an annual pension of 1 G until they turn 21, and no one else is entitled to the pension.
  • The deceased has no survivors entitled to the pension.
• Do you have any questions?

  Call us on 915 04800.