Expertise
Estate administration
Guiding you through every stage of estate administration
Administering an estate after someone has passed away can be both emotional and legally demanding. Ford Sumner can help with all aspects of estate administration, from obtaining probate or letters of administration, to ensuring the wishes set out in the Will are properly carried out and the estate is managed in accordance with legal requirements.
We can assist executors and administrators with identifying and collecting estate assets, dealing with bank accounts, property and investments, paying debts and liabilities, and distributing the estate to the appropriate beneficiaries. We can also advise where there is no will, helping families navigate the intestacy process and understand who is entitled to administer and benefit from the estate.
Where disputes arise, including challenges to a Will or disagreements between executors and beneficiaries, we provide practical advice and representation to help resolve matters as efficiently as possible. Our aim is to take the pressure off you, manage the legal process carefully, and help bring the estate to completion with clarity and confidence.
Our estate administration services
Probate
Ford Sumner can assist with probate applications by preparing the necessary Court documentation and guiding executors through the legal requirements. Probate is the process of confirming that a Will is valid and formally recognising the executor’s authority to deal with the estate. Once probate is granted, the executor can begin administering the estate, including collecting assets, dealing with liabilities, and carrying out the wishes set out in the Will.
Estate administration
Our team can help with all aspects of estate administration, including collecting and dealing with assets, paying debts and liabilities, and distributing the estate in accordance with the will or the law. We provide steady, practical support to help executors and families manage the process with confidence.
Estate disputes
Where disputes arise over the validity of a will, the administration of an estate, or disagreements between beneficiaries and executors, we provide practical advice and representation to help resolve matters as efficiently as possible. Our focus is on protecting your interests while working toward a clear and workable outcome.
Meet the estate administration team
Sarah Churstain
Jordan Todd
Fenella Smith
Daniel Fraser
Maggie Knowles
Mary Ward-Tyree
How to Get Started
Buying or selling a home is a significant step — we’re here to make the legal process clear and stress-free.
To get started, contact us for a no-obligation consultation. In this initial conversation, we’ll review your situation, explain the process, and outline the next steps. Our goal is to give you clarity and confidence from the outset, whether you’re a first-home buyer or an experienced property owner.
At Ford Sumner Lawyers, we focus on achieving the best possible outcomes efficiently and effectively. Get in touch today.
News and insights
Estate administration: Legal updates and case studies
At Ford Sumner, we are a committed part of New Zealand’s business sector and local communities. We keep a watchful eye for relevant legislative and regulatory changes, and we regularly write and share updates on what these changes will mean in practice for our clients.
So check in regularly with this part of our website, and subscribe to our newsletters.
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