NZ Probate Changes 2025: Why Having a Will Now Saves You Even More
Discover how NZ’s new $40,000 probate threshold affects your estate planning and how a will can save your family thousands.
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Big Win for…
PERSONAL LAW · ESTATE PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION
Plan ahead with confidence. Deal with an estate with clear guidance.
Practical planning before it is needed. Calm support when it is.
Canterbury Legal helps families plan how assets and responsibilities will be managed, and guides executors and families through probate and estate administration after a death.
Talk to us early.
Estate planning works best before a health, family or financial event forces decisions. After a death, early advice helps executors understand their authority, responsibilities and the steps required to administer the estate.
Clear advice early can prevent delay, uncertainty and avoidable disputes.
We can help with…
- estate planning and succession decisions
- probate and letters of administration
- executor duties and estate administration
- asset collection, liabilities and distributions
- coordination with Wills, trusts and powers of attorney
Planning ahead and administering estates
How we help.
Estate planning
Reviewing family, assets and succession goals before documents are prepared.
Probate
Helping executors obtain the authority required to administer an estate.
Administration
Guiding executors through assets, liabilities, records and distributions.
Intestacy
Advice where someone dies without a valid Will.
Family & beneficiaries
Managing communications and legal issues affecting beneficiaries and family.
Connected planning
Coordinating Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and ownership structures.
Estate Planning & Administration
People who can help.
Practical support for planning ahead and administering estates.
Clive Cousins
Director
Olivia O’Brien
Legal Executive
What happens next.
- Tell us the circumstances and what needs to be achieved.
- We identify the legal steps and documents required.
- We gather the information needed for planning or administration.
- We progress the legal work and keep the relevant people informed.
- We complete the process with clear records and next steps.
Related personal law services
Wills
Record your wishes clearly.
Enduring powers of attorney
Plan who can make decisions if you cannot.
Family trusts & asset protection
Consider ownership, protection and succession structures.
Useful estate planning insights.
Practical guidance on estate planning, probate and administration.
Plan early. Act clearly. Protect what matters.
Whether you are planning ahead or responsible for an estate, talk with our team about the next legal step.
Phone: +64 3 377 0792
Send enquiry.
Frequently asked questions.
Estate planning considers how your assets, responsibilities and decision-making arrangements should work during your lifetime and after death.
Probate is the court process that confirms an executor’s authority under a Will where it is required.
The estate may need letters of administration and is distributed under intestacy rules rather than under the deceased person’s own Will.
Timing depends on the assets, liabilities, family circumstances and any claims or complexities. We can explain the likely process once we know the estate.
Executors have legal responsibilities that commonly include identifying assets and liabilities, obtaining authority where needed, dealing with claims and distributing the estate correctly.