NZ Free Probate Applications

Welcome to NZ Free Probate Applications. This service is designed to assist you to prepare an application for grant of probate for free, without requiring the paid services of a lawyer. It is designed for estates where the circumstances are not complex.

This service is not appropriate for estates where:

• there is no will or the will cannot be located
• the will is not the original, that is, only a copy of the will can be found
• there is a codicil to the will (a codicil is an 'add on' to an existing will, used to make changes or add new instructions)
• the will is not the final will made by the deceased
• the will is not signed and witnessed
• there are more than 2 executors
• someone is alleging that the will-maker lacked mental capacity or was subject to undue influence or fraud
• the will-maker married (or entered into a civil union) after making the will and the will does not say it was made in contemplation of that marriage
• the estate involves:
  • Complex assets or business interests
  • International aspects to the estate
  • Family tensions or potential disputes

If any of the above factors apply to your application, it's recommended you seek the advice of a lawyer.

To complete the application, you need:

• the original, signed will
• the deceased's full legal name - please check this before you start, from passport, driver's licence, or birth certificate, plus marriage certificate if changed by marriage - note: the death certificate is NOT evidence of the deceased's legal name
• the executor's full legal name - this must match the executor's photo ID (passport, driver's licence) or birth certificate, or marriage certificate if changed by marriage

NZ Free Probate Applications takes you through a series of questions and uses your answers to prepare a probate application. The application consists of four different forms.

Once you have downloaded the forms, you will then need to:

1. Print the forms
2. Sign them in specific places and fill in some minor details, and have your signatures witnessed by a lawyer or JP. Our instructions page gives a detailed explanation of how to do this.
3. Post the forms to the Probate Registry at the High Court in Wellington, and pay the probate filing fee of $269. Fee waivers may be available for those who qualify - this needs to be applied for separately. Refer to this page for instructions.

The High Court will then process your application which typically takes 4-6 weeks. However, in dealing with your application, the Court may write to you requesting further information. Your application cannot progress until you have provided the Court with this information.

If you have any queries or concerns, you can contact us at ...@gmail.com