EXPERTS IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Dealing with complex estate matters can be a burden for family and friends in mourning for their deceased loved one. The Layburn Hodgins estates team will remove that burden by managing all aspects of the estate administration, from claims against the estate, obtaining probate or letters of administration, holding funds on trust for beneficiaries, and managing the distributions of assets according to specified rules on timing.
At Layburn Hodgins our solicitors complete all matters involving estate administration with sensitivity and practicality.
Obtaining probate and sealing overseas if required
The first step in estate administration is to request and receive a grant of Letters of Administration (if there was no Will), or have Probate granted over the Will. “Probate” can be described as having the High Court validate a deceased person's Will. Until the Court grants probate an Executor may not distribute the assets of the Estate to the beneficiaries of the Will. In limited circumstances, for instance where the assets of the deceased's estate total less than $15,000.00, probate is not required.
At Layburn Hodgins we are experienced in dealing with client‘s who have assets overseas. On death it is complicated to administrate these overseas assets; however, our solicitors are skilled in arranging for the overseas “sealing” of a New Zealand grant of Probate or Letter of Administration, as well as arranging for the "sealing" in New Zealand of an overseas grant of Probate of Letter of Administration.
Managing life interests
It is fairly common for a Will to provide a “life interest” of property to a family member. This allows the family member to enjoy that property for a limited time after which the property is sold and the sale proceeds distributed equally amongst the beneficiaries.
Our experienced solicitors manage the administration relating to any provisions of life interest, taking care to achieve our client‘s wishes and the conditions contained in their Will.
Managing requirements for beneficiaries who are minors
Wills often contain provisions relating to beneficiaries who are minors, including a request for named guardians for young children or the condition that a beneficiary not receive his or her share of the estate until they reach a certain age (commonly either 21 or 25 years old).
Layburn Hodgins‘ solicitors work alongside the Trustees and Executors of the Estate to ensure that all minor beneficiaries are properly looked after both financially and physically.
