Estates & Probate
We’re Here to Help — Every Step of the Way
Losing someone you love is hard enough without navigating legal paperwork, probate applications, and financial decisions alone. We guide families through every step — with compassion, clarity, and practical support.
As Much Help as You Need — As Little as You Want
Every family is different. Some want a lawyer to take care of everything. Others want to do what they can themselves, and keep costs down. We are the only New Zealand firm built to support both — properly.
Full Service — We Do Everything
We obtain probate, notify the banks, collect in the assets, handle the property, wind up any trust, and distribute the estate — keeping you informed at every step, and protecting the executors from personal liability along the way. You grieve; we work.
Probate at a fixed fee, then $483/hr — never a percentage of the estate.
Do It Yourself — With a Lawyer On Call
Many executors are capable of doing the practical work themselves. We obtain probate, hand you a clear roadmap, and then step in only when you ask — a question answered, a document checked, a problem solved. You stay in control; you pay only for the help you actually use.
Advice at $483/hr, only as used. No other NZ online provider offers this.
Why families choose us
Every application is prepared, checked and filed by a lawyer — not a form generator. Our fees are fixed or hourly, never a percentage of the estate — on a $1,000,000 estate, percentage-based fees capped at 5% could reach $50,000; ours don't change with the estate's value. And you can move between the two options at any time: start DIY and hand it over if it gets too much, or start full service and take over the simple parts. Your needs, your budget, your choice.
Compare & Save — Probate (with a will)
There are two parts to the cost: the probate application, and administering the estate afterwards. Compare both before you choose.
| Provider | Part 1 — Probate application | Part 2 — Estate administration |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers | $1,095 lawyer prepared & filed online Full service $2,173.50 — urgent or complex applications |
$483 / hr — full service, or DIY with a lawyer on call Never a percentage of the estate |
| Simply Probate | $803.85 ($699 + GST) guided self-file — you file it yourself |
Not offered |
| ProbateNZ | $1,138.50 ($990 + GST) | Not offered |
| Public Trust | from $1,178.00 incl GST | Estate setup fee $6,495.00 incl GST Estate finalisation fee from $1,891.00 incl GST Income handling fee 5% + GST of gross income collected plus hourly rates for additional work |
All applications are also subject to the High Court filing fee ($275) and disbursements — advertisements and similar costs are sometimes required. Our fees include GST. Competitor fees as published August 2026 (Public Trust: its estate administration price list) — please check providers' current prices.
Compare & Save — Letters of Administration (No Will)
Where there is no valid will, an application for letters of administration is required. The same two parts apply: the application, and administering the estate afterwards.
| Provider | Part 1 — Letters of Administration application | Part 2 — Estate administration |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers | from $1,495 lawyer prepared & filed online | $483 / hr — full service, or DIY with a lawyer on call Never a percentage of the estate |
| Simply Probate | from $1,148.85 (from $999 + GST) guided self-file — you file it yourself |
Not offered |
| ProbateNZ | $1,598.50 ($1,390 + GST) | Not offered |
| Public Trust | from $2,199.00 incl GST | Estate setup fee $6,495.00 incl GST Estate finalisation fee from $1,891.00 incl GST Income handling fee 5% + GST of gross income collected plus hourly rates for additional work |
All applications are also subject to the High Court filing fee ($275) and disbursements — advertisements and similar costs are sometimes required. Intestacy applications vary in complexity, which is why fees are "from". Our fees include GST. Competitor fees as published August 2026 — please check providers' current prices.
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Complete Your Probate Questionnaire
The questionnaire gathers the details we need to prepare and file the probate application. It saves automatically — stop and return anytime. However you complete it, a lawyer prepares and checks everything before filing.
Start Online
The easiest way. Answer step by step from home. Your answers save automatically.
Preparation Guide
Download this first to gather what you'll need — the will, death certificate, and asset and beneficiary details — before you begin.
Prefer Paper?
Download the questionnaire, fill in the blanks in pen, and email a scan or clear photos — or post it. We do the rest.
The guide and the paper questionnaire follow the same section order as the online questionnaire.
What We Can Help You With
As much or as little help as you need — fixed fees where possible, never a percentage of the estate.
Probate & Letters of Administration
Prepared, checked and filed with the High Court by a lawyer. Probate $1,095 online / $2,173.50 full service; Letters of Administration from $1,495 — each plus the filing fee.
Full Estate Administration
From probate to final distribution — we handle every legal step, keep you informed, and make sure everything is done properly.
DIY Administration — Lawyer On Call
You administer the estate; we advise only when you need us. No other NZ online provider offers this.
Property Transfers
Real estate to beneficiaries, or prepared for sale — careful attention to title requirements.
Executor Support
We explain the process, your obligations and your options — and support you at every stage.
A Guide to the Estate Administration Process
The process typically follows three stages. Click each to learn more.
Step 1 — Responding to the Immediate Situation
If your loved one has a medical emergency, provide first aid if possible. If necessary, call Emergency Services on 111. This is also the number to call if your loved one has passed away unexpectedly, or if you are not sure whether they have died.
Let family members and close friends know what has happened as soon as you are able. This can be a difficult and emotional task, but it's important to ensure that everyone who needs to know is informed promptly.
Find the deceased's last Will, Funeral Directives, and Memorandum of Wishes (if a trust is involved). These documents will help you determine the deceased's wishes and make important decisions about the funeral and estate administration. If Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers holds the will, contact us and we'll provide copies immediately.
Wait until the death certificate has been received before contacting the bank. Once the bank is notified of a death, all accounts in the deceased's sole name are frozen. Joint accounts are not affected. Banks will usually pay the funeral account directly to the funeral director from the deceased's accounts without waiting for probate.
Step 2 — Organising the Funeral
A funeral director can take care of legal and practical tasks — including arranging a minister or celebrant, death and funeral notices, flowers, catering, and support services for bereaved family and friends. If your loved one prepared funeral directives, the planning process will be far easier.
This is an option, but there are legal requirements — including confirmation of the cause of death and registering the death with Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Embalming isn't always necessary if the body is to be buried or cremated within two or three days after death.
Personalising the funeral can help honour the deceased's legacy and celebrate their life. Consider incorporating elements that reflect their character, values, and favourite things. If funeral directives exist, they will guide these decisions.
Step 3 — Administering the Estate
Probate is needed if the deceased's financial assets exceed $40,000 at any one bank, or if the deceased held shares or bonds over $15,000, real estate, vehicles, jewellery, art, or other valuable personal assets in their sole name.
This protects the executor or trustee from legal risk. In smaller estates with no disputes, families sometimes distribute assets informally — but that should only occur if all beneficiaries agree.
The application must be filed in the High Court in a specific format. Any errors or omissions will cause delays. Probate is currently taking around four months to be granted after filing. The High Court filing fee is $275.
Although rare, a will can be challenged under the Family Protection Act or the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act. Under section 47(4) of the Administration Act 1969, executors or trustees are protected from liability for distributions made six months after probate is granted, provided no written notice or court application has been received that could affect the estate.
If the deceased was the last principal beneficiary of a trust, the trust may need to be wound up and the assets distributed. This typically involves preparing a Deed of Capital Distribution, considering whether a final tax return is needed, checking whether overseas beneficiaries will incur tax obligations, and confirming whether any beneficiaries wish to transfer their share to their own trust.
Transfers of vehicle ownership can be completed online using the Notice of Disposal and Notice of Acquisition forms on the NZTA website.
Ready to Protect What Matters Most?
Request a personalised quote online, ask us anything, or if you're a new client, book a free 15-minute meeting to meet our team and see if we're the right fit.
The introductory meeting is a chance to meet our team — it is not for legal advice.
Tel: +64 9 415 0099 • reception@rossholmes.co.nz • 2 Airborne Rd, Rosedale, Auckland