Get your loved one’s estate paid out in half the time – with care and clarity.
When someone dies, there’s already so much to deal with. Waiting months for the legal process doesn’t need to be one of them.
Hi, I’m Hayley Boud. I’m a specialist probate and estate administration lawyer, and I help families settle estates quickly, calmly and with compassion.
Families referred to Caring Estates through their funeral director are placed on our Fast Track, which means your matter is prioritised from day one.
What Fast Track Means for You
With Caring Estates Fast Track, you can expect:
Priority handling of your estate matter
The funeral invoice sent to the bank promptly for payment once it is available
Court documents prepared quickly once we have your information
Clear communication so you always know what’s happening next
Most estates I handle are paid out within two to three months, rather than six to twelve.
If I can see any reason your estate may take longer, I will tell you upfront.
How The Fast Track Works
Families referred by funeral directors receive priority care through the Caring Estates Fast Track – ensuring the funeral invoice is paid promptly and the estate is paid out sooner.
Pricing
My packages for Letters of Administration and Probate are below.
Letters of Administration
When your loved one dies without a Will.
Basic
$
1,800
+ GST + disbursements
-
Includes all legal work to get letters of administration from the High Court.
-
All documents prepared and filed for you - no DIY required.
Click Here
*Disbursements (if needed): $260 High Court fee, $35.70 Parental Search fee, courier fees, advertisement fees.
Plus
$
2,800
+ GST + disbursements
-
Everything in Basic, plus:
-
Obtaining funds from one institution e.g. bank, KiwiSaver, Insurance.
-
Payment due once funds are received from the bank, KiwiSaver, or insurance provider.
-
10% discount on all other work.
Click Here
*Disbursements (if needed): $260 High Court fee, $35.70 Parental Search fee, courier fees, advertisement fees.
Full-Service
$
4,800
+ GST + disbursements
-
Everything in PLUS, and:
-
Advertising for creditors (if needed)
-
IRD number application for Estate (if needed)
-
Obtaining funds from unlimited institutions.
-
Paying Estate debts and reimbursements.
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Preparing Financial Statements.
-
Preparing Beneficiary Agreements.
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Distribution to Beneficiaries.
-
20% discount on all other work.
Click Here
*Disbursements (if needed): $260 High Court fee, $35.70 Parental Search fee, courier fees, advertisement fees.
MOST POPULAR
Probate
When your loved one dies with a Will.
Basic
$
1,500
+ GST + disbursements
-
Includes all legal work to get probate granted by the High Court.
-
All documents prepared and filed for you - no DIY required.
Click Here
*Disbursements (if needed): $260 High Court fee, $35.70 Parental Search fee, courier fees, advertisement fees.
Plus
$
2,500
+ GST + disbursements
-
Everything in Basic, plus:
-
Obtaining funds from one institution e.g. bank, KiwiSaver, Insurance.
-
Payment due once funds are received from the bank, KiwiSaver, or insurance provider.
-
10% discount on all other work.
Click Here
*Disbursements (if needed): $260 High Court fee, $35.70 Parental Search fee, courier fees, advertisement fees.
Full-Service
$
4,500
+ GST + disbursements
-
Everything in PLUS, and:
-
Advertising for creditors (if needed)
-
IRD number application for Estate (if needed)
-
Obtaining funds from unlimited institutions.
-
Paying Estate debts and reimbursements.
-
Preparing Financial Statements.
-
Preparing Beneficiary Agreements.
-
Distribution to Beneficiaries.
-
20% discount on all other work.
Click Here
*Disbursements (if needed): $260 High Court fee, $35.70 Parental Search fee, courier fees, advertisement fees.
MOST POPULAR
What My Clients Say
“I initially tried using an online DIY probate service to manage my loved one’s estate, thinking it would be quicker and cheaper. Instead, I found myself lost in a sea of complicated forms with no real support. After wasting time and money, I turned to Hayley Boud at Caring Estates, and I only wish I had done so from the start.
She explained everything clearly, guided me through each step, and was always available to answer my questions. The process was smooth, stress-free, and, in the end, far more cost-effective. If you want to save yourself time, money and frustration, go straight to Caring Estates—you won’t regret it!”
– Watene, Auckland
“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
“Excellent professional service, prompt communication and Hayley Boud just made everything smooth and easy – all for a very reasonable fee. Would recommend to others.”
– Carol
“Hayley is absolutely amazing and very caring and professional. Highly recommend would certainly be my first place I’d go if I needed a lawyers advice and direction in the future.”
– Sheryl
“My family’s journey to resolve our case has been quite challenging. We faced issues such as poor communication, misinformation, and incurring unnecessary expenses which left us feeling quite disheartened & frustrated.
Fortunately, we were introduced to Hayley through our social worker, who has been advocating for us throughout this complex situation. From beginning to end, Hayley demonstrated professionalism, provided clarity about the process, and maintained consistency in her communication throughout. We are incredibly grateful for the support and guidance Hayley has offered us.
I wholeheartedly recommend Hayley; you will not be let down, you will feel supported & will always be kept informed. Thank you once again, Hayley me & my family are forever grateful for everything you have done for us”.
– Sheena, Auckland
“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 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.
