Quebec estate inventory: rules, content, publication

What the estate inventory is

The inventory is a written, dated and signed document that lists:

• All the deceased’s property as at the date of death (real estate, accounts, investments, vehicles, personal property, receivables).
• All known debts of the deceased and the estate (credit cards, loans, taxes, funeral costs).
• A valuation of each item at the date of death, generally at fair market value.

Together with the will search, it is one of the two indispensable steps at the start of any Quebec liquidation.

Why the inventory matters

The inventory does much more than document what is in the estate. It plays three major legal roles:

• Acceptance to the extent of the net assets (article 781 CCQ): as long as a proper inventory is drawn up, the heirs can only be held liable for estate debts up to the value of the property received. Without an inventory, their personal patrimony can be exposed.
• Final account: the inventory is the starting point for the annual and final account (articles 819-822 CCQ).
• Tax returns: the inventory feeds the deceased’s final return (TP-1 + T1) and the estate’s returns (TP-646 + T3).

Form: notarial or under private signature

Article 795 CCQ provides two valid forms:

• Notarial inventory en minute: drawn up by a notary who keeps the original. Strongest form, recommended for large or complex estates (real estate, business, trust, heirs abroad, risk of dispute).
• Inventory under private signature: drawn up by the liquidator in the presence of two witnesses who do not inherit. Suits modest estates and uncomplicated situations.

In both cases, the inventory must be signed by the liquidator (and the witnesses or the notary, depending on the form).

Mandatory content

To be valid under the Civil Code, the inventory must minimally contain:

• The name and date of death of the deceased; the name and address of the liquidator.
• The list of property, sufficiently detailed to identify each item (description, location, reference number where applicable).
• The valuation of each item at the date of death, with the method noted (municipal valuation, professional appraisal, estimated fair market value).
• The list of known debts, creditor by creditor, with the amount as at the date of death.
• The date the inventory is closed.

In practice, copies of professional appraisals (real estate), bank statements as at the date of death, and any document supporting the valuations are also attached.

Publication of the notice at the RDPRM

Once the inventory is drawn up, the liquidator must publish a notice of closure of inventory at the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights (RDPRM) and have the notice published in a local newspaper where the deceased had their last domicile (article 795 CCQ).

This publication opens a delay during which creditors can come forward and consult the inventory. It is also this publication that secures acceptance to the extent of the net assets for the heirs.

The notice must indicate the deceased’s name, date of death, the liquidator’s name and contact information, and where the inventory can be consulted.

Deadlines

The Civil Code does not set a specific number of days — it speaks of a reasonable delay. In practice, the liquidator draws up the inventory within 2 to 3 months of accepting the function.

The earlier the inventory is drawn up, the faster the liquidation can proceed: tax returns, banking steps and communication with the heirs all depend on it.

Where to find the official guides and templates

For templates and the practical procedure:

• Chambre des notaires du Québec — a notary can draw up the inventory en minute or guide its drafting.
• Revenu Québec — “Settling an estate” guide (IN-307) — for the link with tax obligations.
• RDPRM — for the publication of the notice of closure.

For the full liquidation flow, see our guide Testamentary liquidator in Quebec.