Kiwilaw* - 'yield to principle, not to pressure'
Probate, wills, estate administration, reseal grants, transmission to executors
by Cheryl on
“Make a will!” they say. Yeah, yeah — add it to the list.
But sometimes, it’s actually urgent.
How do you know when that is?
It’s not just because you’re going overseas, about to have heart surgery, or have been diagnosed with cancer.
[Read more…] about How do you know when is it really urgent to make a (new) will?by Cheryl on
Often Kiwilaw is asked how someone can get a copy of their parent’s will, or maybe their grandparent’s, because the enquirer believes they should have inherited something.
There is no requirement in New Zealand for wills to be registered or to be publicly searchable, except through the probate process.
So it can be a bit challenging.
[Read more…] about How can I get a copy of someone’s will after they have died?by Cheryl on
Making a valid will is easier in New Zealand than in many other countries. You don’t have to use a lawyer. You don’t have to register the will. Almost anyone can witness the will.
Even if you don’t get it right, the High Court still has the discretion to declare your will ‘valid’.
[Read more…] about How to sign, witness, and store your new New Zealand willby Cheryl on
This form is a valid New Zealand will if you fill it in clearly, date it, and sign it in New Zealand in front of two adult witnesses who are both present. It is unashamedly unconventional.
It is intended for people who have never quite got round to making a will and who think $250+ for a ‘lawyer’s will’ is more than they want to spend right now.
[Read more…] about A New Zealand will does not need jargon, prose, paragraphs, or money