Estates

The Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Estates programs are part of AANDC's responsibilities under the Indian Act to help families manage the legal and financial affairs (also known as estates) of deceased, minor or mentally incompetent Status Indians (as defined in the Indian Act). AANDC can appoint an estate administrator if no eligible individual is willing or able to administer the estate in question.

AANDC also helps First Nations people to administer estates themselves. This supports the Department's overall mandate to encourage the efforts of Aboriginal people to increasingly manage their own political, economic and social affairs.

What Information is Available?

This section provides information on the types of assistance available for families under both the living and decedent estates programs.