Probate and wills
After someone dies, you need to sort out any tax or financial issues before the will is executed.
What you need to do
There are some things you need to do if you’re executing someone’s will. You can ask a lawyer for help — the cost will come out of the estate.
Apply for probate
A will lists who gets property and money when someone dies. You need to be granted probate in court to be the will’s executor. An executor deals with the estate and hands out the property as set out in the will.
Apply for probate and get a copy of a will
Community Law — chapter about wills
If there is no will — intestacy
Tax
Contact Inland Revenue (IR) if the deceased person:
- had a student loan
- paid or received child support
- had a KiwiSaver account
- ran a business.
Guidance about contacting IR when someone has died and filing a tax or estate return for the deceased is on the IR website:
- Let Inland Revenue know someone has died
- File a final income tax return
- File an estate or trust return
You can also use myTrove to notify IR that someone has died.
Benefits and pensions
Contact Work and Income if the person who died was being paid a benefit, NZ Super or a Veteran’s Pension.
You can find out more about updating benefit payments and bank account details on the Work and Income website:
Insurance and money
You’ll need to:
- arrange for any life or funeral insurance to be paid out
- check whether the deceased is owed any pay or superannuation from their workplace
- talk to the deceased’s bank to freeze their accounts until the will is executed, or transfer any joint accounts to the surviving account holder
- cancel any bills or accounts under the deceased’s name.
Cancel the deceased’s passport
To cancel the deceased’s passport, you can use myTrove or contact the Department of Internal Affairs’ passports service:
Cancel the deceased’s driver licence
Contact the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to cancel the deceased’s driver licence.
Property
If the deceased owned a house that was registered as a joint family home, your lawyer will arrange to transfer the title to the surviving partner.
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
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Inland Revenue
Contact and agency details -
Ministry of Justice
Contact and agency details -
Public Trust
Contact and agency details
Utility links and page information
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