Estate administration when Public Trust is executor
Losing someone is hard. There’s a lot to take in and sorting out their estate can feel overwhelming. If Public Trust has been named executor in the will, we take care of the legal and practical steps to settle the estate – so you don’t have to carry the burden alone.
What is estate administration?
Estate administration means managing everything your loved one left behind or owned when they died – assets, debts and final wishes. If the estate is worth less than $40,000 and doesn’t include property, their next of kin can usually handle it. For anything larger, the law requires formal administration.
If you’re the executor, we’re also here to help. Find out more about how we can assist here.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal step that confirms the will is valid and gives us the authority to act as executor. Without it, banks, insurers or other institutions won’t let us access the estate assets. We apply to the High Court for a Grant of Probate as part of our role as executor.
If there’s no will, you’ll need letters of administration (LOA) instead.
What you can expect from us
If Public Trust is named as the executor, we take care of the formal administration, including:
Applying for probate,
Managing the estate’s assets and debts,
Finalising tax,
Working with beneficiaries,
Finalising accounts,
Distributing the estate to the people named in the will,
Accounting to the beneficiaries.
How long does it take?
Estate administration can take several months. Most estates are settled within 9-12 months, but complex cases and those with life interests may take longer.
What does it cost
Our fees are based on the work we do, not the value of the estate. A simple estate will cost less to manage than a complex one. An estate may be more complex if there’s:
Many beneficiaries, or some are hard to locate,
Property to sell,
Overseas assets, businesses or multiple accounts,
Legal issues to resolve,
Family differences or complex dynamics
At the start, we’ll give you a clear plan outlining the steps we’ll take, and an estimate of the time and costs involved.
View our price list here to learn more about our fees and charges.
Find out more about being a beneficiary
We've created a helpful booklet that has simple answers for beneficiaries.