Reseals
Get a Reseal of Probate and Letters of Administration in NZ - Without the Stress
If your loved one’s probate was granted overseas but they had assets in New Zealand, you may need to “reseal” the overseas grant in the New Zealand High Court before you can access or transfer those assets.
Hi, I’m Hayley Boud, and I specialise in making the Reseal process easy, fast and stress-free. I’ll handle everything for you – no court forms, no confusion. Just sign, and I’ll take care of the rest.
What is a Reseal of Probate?
A reseal allows a New Zealand court to legally recognise a probate or letters of administration granted in another country—so you can deal with assets here, like bank accounts or property, without applying for a new grant.
You’ll likely need a reseal if:
Your loved one passed away overseas
Probate or letters of administration were granted in another country
They owned assets in New Zealand worth over $15,000
Common Countries Resealed in New Zealand
New Zealand accepts reseal applications from countries that are part of the Commonwealth (like Australia, the UK, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, and more).
If probate was granted outside a Commonwealth country, contact me and I’ll let you know what your options are.
Reseal Pricing
Basic
$
800
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Includes all legal work to get Reseal Application approved by the High Court.
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All documents prepared and filed for you - no DIY required.
Plus
$
1,800
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Everything in Basic, plus:
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Obtaining funds from one institution e.g. bank, KiwiSaver, Insurance.
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Payment due once funds are received from the bank, KiwiSaver, or insurance provider.
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10% discount on all other work.
Full-Service
$
3,600
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Everything in PLUS, and:
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Advertising for creditors (if needed)
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IRD number application for Estate (if needed)
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Obtaining funds from unlimited institutions.
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Paying Estate debts and reimbursements.
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Preparing Financial Statements.
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Preparing Beneficiary Agreements.
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Distribution to Beneficiaries.
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20% discount on all other work.
MOST POPULAR
What My Clients Say
“Hayley Boud at Caring Estates handled my Reseal incredibly quickly and efficiently. I was
amazed at how smoothly everything was processed, with minimal delays and no stress on my part. She took care of all the details, kept me updated, and made the entire experience hassle-free. If you need a fast and professional service, I highly recommend Hayley!
– Daisy, England
“I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for making the entire reseal process for my Letters of Administration from Australia so easy and stress-free.
After completing six inquiries with different law firms, you were the only one who went out of your way to personally call me from NZ, which I truly appreciated.
Throughout the entire process, you provided clear guidance and kept me informed at every step, making the experience much smoother than I had anticipated. Once again, thank you very much for all your help. Your exceptional service made all the difference!”
– Marguerita Almeida, Australia
My Google Reviews
How I Help You Move Forward Faster
500+ Families Helped
I’ve helped over 500 families across New Zealand through the reseal, probate and administration process.
100% Success Rate
Every estate application I’ve submitted has been approved - giving you peace of mind.
Done For You
No legal headaches. No DIY. No stress. I handle the entire process no matter where in NZ you are - you just sign the documents.
Why Families Trust Me
Easy To Reach
I respond to all calls and emails within 24 hours - because you deserve answers, fast.
Kind & Compassionate
I understand this is a difficult time, and I’ll support you with empathy every step of the way.
Fast, Simple & Affordable
With over 500 successful applications, I know how to get everything done quickly, accurately, and at a fair price.
Understanding Probate and Letters of Administration — NZ
Finding yourself responsible for a loved one’s estate upon their passing can be an overwhelming situation for many, especially when it comes to understanding your legal obligations.
If you’re curious to understand more about the process and how Probate and Letters of Administration work in NZ, Caring Estates can help. Keep on reading to learn more about the differences between the two and why they are so important when it comes to managing your loved one’s estate after they have passed.
What is the Difference Between Probate and Letters of Administration
In New Zealand, Probate and Letters of Administration are two different legal processes related to the management and distribution of a deceased person’s estate. As the person managing an estate, whether you require Probate or Letters of Administration will depend on the circumstances surrounding the Will of the deceased.
Do you have a Will? You need Probate.
Probate legally validates a person as the executor of a deceased person’s estate when the deceased person has left a valid Will. It confirms the appointment of the executor(s) named in the Will and grants them the legal authority to administer the estate in accordance with the deceased person’s wishes.
In New Zealand, Probate is obtained through a High Court application and is required when an estate is worth more than $15,000. Once Probate has been granted by the court, it allows the executor(s) to collect, manage, and distribute the assets of the deceased to the appropriate beneficiaries.
Letters of Administration
Letters of Administration come into play when a person dies without leaving a valid Will and, in some cases, may also be required even if there is a Will. This may happen when the Will either does not name an executor, or the named executor is unable or unwilling to act.
Much like Probate, you must apply to the High Court for Letters of Administration. Once obtained, they authorise the applicant(s), known for this purpose as the administrator(s), to handle a deceased person’s estate according to the laws of intestacy. These laws determine how the estate will be distributed in the absence of a Will.
In most circumstances, the administrator(s) will be a family member of the deceased or their next of kin. As the administrator(s) of the estate, their role is similar to that of an executor who has been granted Probate.
No Will? You need Letters of Administration.
So, now you know the difference between the two, but why exactly are Probate and Letters of Administration on intestacy necessary in NZ, and what is their overall purpose? Simply put, they are both required to facilitate the proper administration of a deceased person’s estate and to protect the rights of everyone involved in the process.
Legal Validation of Your Authority
By obtaining Probate or Letters of Administration, your position as the executor or administrator will be legally validated, giving you full authority to act on behalf of the estate. Such legal validation is often required when dealing with financial institutions, government agencies, and other entities that hold or manage the deceased person’s assets.
This can help with a range of processes, including but not limited to:
- Taking control of particular assets, such as bank accounts and investments
- Notifying certain institutions of the deceased’s passing, such as Inland Revenue, insurance companies, service providers, and NZ pension or super funds
- Cancelling important documents, including the deceased’s driver’s licence or passport
Protecting the Rights of Yourself and Others
Probate and Letters of Administration protect the rights of everyone involved by making sure everything is correctly carried out according to the deceased’s wishes and/or New Zealand law. This includes your rights as the executor or administrator and the rights of beneficiaries, creditors, and anyone else who has influence over how the deceased’s assets are distributed.
These rights are protected by ensuring all parties are appropriately informed and are given the opportunity to raise a dispute or make a claim over certain assets before they are distributed.
Dispute Resolution
Probate and Letters of Administration provide a structured framework for resolving any disputes that may arise regarding the management and distribution of the estate.
In cases where there is a Will, Probate ensures interested parties can present their claims or contest the validity of the Will and enables a fair and impartial resolution.
In cases where there is no Will, Letters of Administration can help resolve these disputes in a similar way by ensuring they are handled according to the proper legal processes.
Letters of Administration can also help when there is no Will and multiple individuals have a claim to be the administrator of an estate. This is because they allow the court to appoint whoever they deem most appropriate as the administrator(s) of the estate, thus providing clarity and preventing potential conflicts among those involved.
Facilitating Asset Distribution
Probate and Letters of Administration provide a legal framework for the executor(s) or administrator(s) to distribute assets to the rightful beneficiaries stated in the Will or determined by laws of intestacy.
As the executor or administrator, this ensures you have a clear legal framework when distributing the assets, streamlining the process and ensuring everything is properly carried out and recorded. As a result, this legal framework also reduces the risk of any valid disputes or challenges to the ownership of these assets in the future.
Need Help Managing an Estate? Contact Caring Estates Today
If you’re looking for an estate lawyer who can help you navigate and better understand Probate or Letters of Administration, Caring Estates can help. Reach out today to discuss your circumstances and allow Caring Estates to provide you with the compassionate and transparent services you need.
