Inheritance

Anyone can notify the bank of a client’s death. To do so, call our customer support at 6 800 400 or send an email to parimine@lhv.ee.

If the death is registered in Estonia, there is no need to submit a death certificate, as we will verify the information through a query to the Population Register. If the death is registered abroad, a death certificate must be provided.

After a client’s death, the following individuals can receive account-related information, provided they have been identified at LHV Bank:

• The person who covered the funeral costs – can receive information on whether and to what extent funds are available for covering funeral expenses.
• Heir(s) – Based on a certificate of succession issued by a notary, heirs can obtain information about all transactions and agreements related to the account. Each heir can submit an inquiry independently, regardless of other heirs. To do so, send a request along with the certificate of succession to parimine@lhv.ee.
• Presumed heir(s) – Based on a document proving kinship (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate), account balance and liabilities information may be provided only for a valid reason, such as when succession proceedings take place abroad and, according to local law, heirs must collect asset inventory data themselves.

For taking over and/or fulfilling obligations, contact us via:

• laenutugi@lhv.ee (for home, personal, and student loans)
• finance@lhv.ee (for small loans and hire purchase)
• liising@lhv.ee (for car leasing)

Unfortunately, no. Powers of attorney are no longer valid after the client’s death. Once the bank is informed of the client’s passing, all authorizations granted during their lifetime (both internal and notarized) automatically expire.

A funeral allowance is a one-time payment to cover the costs associated with organizing a funeral for a deceased person.

If an LHV client has passed away, the funeral allowance can be paid to the heir, a close relative, or another person arranging the funeral.
Funeral expenses can only be covered using available funds in the deceased client’s account (in euros). The maximum amount reimbursed based on funeral expense invoices is €3,000, and the payment is made in a single transaction.

To receive the funeral allowance, you must contact the bank within 30 calendar days following the relative’s death. Later payments can only be made based on proof of inheritance rights and the instructions of the heir(s).

To receive reimbursement for funeral expenses, the following documents must be submitted:

• Original death certificate
• Invoice(s) or proof of funeral arrangements

A funeral allowance application can be submitted via email if the funeral organizer has been identified by LHV and can provide all required documents digitally. Send the documents to parimine@lhv.ee.

Alternatively, the applicant may visit our customer office in person with a valid identification document.

t is important that the invoices are issued in the name of the person arranging the funeral, and the deceased’s name must be clearly stated on the invoice.

Once you have received documents confirming your inheritance rights from a notary, you can begin inheritance-related procedures at the bank.

To transfer inherited assets to the heir(s), submit the documents proving inheritance rights to the bank. This can be done in three ways:

• The notary sends the documents directly to the bank via agreed contacts.
• The heir sends digitally signed documents from the notary along with their contact details to parimine@lhv.ee.
• The heir brings the original documents to the bank’s office – an appointment must be booked in advance.

After receiving the documents, we will contact you within two business days regarding the next steps.

The inheritance transfer process can be completed either remotely or at an LHV Pank office. For digital processing, all heirs must be identified at LHV Pank and must be able to sign documents electronically. The most convenient method for this is e-identification. If the process is completed at a bank office, all heirs must be present. If not all heirs can attend together, they may appoint a representative.

A representative must have:

• A notarial power of attorney
• A court ruling granting representation rights (e.g., if one of the heirs is a minor).
  The power of attorney must explicitly state the right to act on behalf of the heir in inheritance matters.

If at least one heir is a minor or an adult with limited legal capacity, you must also provide a court ruling granting the legal representative the right to act on their behalf in the division of the estate.

According to § 188 (1) (2) of the Family Law Act, an inheritance division agreement cannot be concluded on behalf of a minor or a person with limited legal capacity without court approval. Court approval is also required when withdrawing pension fund units that are part of the inheritance.

The bank can process inheritance-related transactions only if the court ruling has entered into force. If the resolution does not specify the date of effect, a confirmation of enforcement is required. This confirmation can be obtained from the court registry office or through the e-file system once the appeal deadline has expired.

LHV allows a one-time withdrawal of up to €3,000 for funeral expenses within one month of the client’s death. The withdrawal is made based on documents proving the payment of funeral expenses, provided that there are sufficient funds in the deceased’s account.

To apply for the funeral allowance, contact the bank within 30 calendar days after the relative’s death. Later payments can only be made based on proof of inheritance rights and the instructions of the heir(s).

“What documents do I need to apply for a funeral allowance?”

Pension fund units can be inherited in two ways:

• As a monetary payment – the inherited amount is transferred to the heir’s bank account.
• As pension fund units – the units are transferred to the heir’s pension account. To choose this option, the heir must have an active pension account (being enrolled in Pillar II or Pillar III).

A service fee applies for pension inheritance requests, in accordance with the LHV price list, per heir.

The most convenient method is to send your request and a digitally signed inheritance certificate from the notary via email to parimine@lhv.ee or to bring the original documents to the bank office – an appointment must be booked in advance.

You can find additional information on inheritance law on the Notaries’ Chamber website or in the Law of Succession Act.

For details on pension fund inheritance, visit the Pension Center website – for Pillar II and Pillar III.

If you have any questions, contact us at parimine@lhv.ee.