Service Estates :::  

General information

The Minister of National Defence, in Ministerial Order MCU2000-03830 of 3 August 2000, appointed the JAG as Director of Estates.  On behalf of the JAG, the Estates and Elections Section of the Directorate of Law/Compensation, Benefits, Pensions & Estates carries out the administration and disbursement of military Service Estate entitlements in relation to Canadian Forces members who die while serving full time in the Canadian Forces (CF). This entails coordinating with unit level personnel, JAG field offices, the deceased’s executor or estate administrator, family members and private sector legal counsel to ensure that any legal complications are resolved prior to authorizing the release of personal effects and disbursement of the Service Estate monetary entitlements.

The Service Estate is comprised of three main components:

• severance pay entitlement (if applicable);
• service pay and allowances; and
• personal effects in the care and custody of the Canadian Forces.

Important administrative details

Assisting Officers should inform the Estates Administration Clerk by e-mail or telephone, when they have been assigned to a specific casualty case and, at the same time, provide their telephone and fax number.

Committee of Adjustment (COA) Presidents should also advise the Estates Administration Officer, by e-mail or telephone, when they have been assigned to a specific casualty case and, at the same time, provide their telephone and fax numbers.

Note: Before any of the deceased’s personal effects are released, authority should be sought from the Estates Administration Officer.

Relevant Legislation & Directives

Section 42 of the National Defence Act (NDA):

• Definition of a service estate

Section 43 of the NDA (and Chapter 26.20 of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O)):

• Presumption of Death

QR&O, Chapter 21.41:

• Missing persons

QR&O, Chapter 25:

• Service Estates and Personal Belongings

DAOD 7011 Series – Service Estates & Personal Belongings

• DAOD 7011-0 Service Estates and Personal Belongings
• DAOD 7011-1 Responsibilities for Service Estates and Personal Belongings

DAOD 7012 Series – Wills

• DAOD 7012-0 Wills
• DAOD 7012-1 Preparation and Administration of Wills
• DAOD Form 7012-1A Will
• DAOD Form 7012-1B Affidavit of Execution of Will
• DAOD Form 7012-1C Will Certificate

Points of Contact

Estates and Elections Administration Officer
Office of the Judge Advocate General
National Defence Headquarters
Constitution Building
305 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

Attention: Judge Advocate General – Director of Estates

Tel: (613) 992-0073
Fax: (613) 995-3155

Estates and Elections Administration Clerk
Office of the Judge Advocate General
National Defence Headquarters
Constitution Building
305 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

Attention: Judge Advocate General – Estates and Elections Administration Clerk

Tel: (613) 992-1010
Fax: (613) 995-3155