Our new Executor Assist service can help private executors of a Will to obtain a Grant of Probate as an alternative to the Public Trustee taking on the whole of the estate administration. The Public Trustee will prepare the necessary documents and apply to the Probate Registry to obtain a Grant of Probate on behalf of the appointed executor.
If requested, the Public Trustee can also assist in other aspects of estate administration as the agent for the named executor. This can include preparing and lodging legal and tax documents, such as income tax returns, transfer of realty and transfer of equities, if required.
The Public Trustee is unable to provide Executor Assist services if the document is an informal Will, if anyone other than the executor requests to apply for a Grant of Probate, or if the deceased dies without a Will.
When you make your initial contact with the Public Trustee, we will request the name of the deceased, the date of death of the deceased, the name of the executor and details of the deceased’s assets and liabilities.
Our Client Services Officer will arrange an appointment for the executor to attend the Public Trustee’s office to meet with an Estate Manager. The executor will be asked to bring in the Will and other documents and complete an authority requesting Public Trustee to act as agent. After the interview, the Estate Manager will complete and lodge the required documentation.
Once the Probate document has been issued, the Estate Manager will advise the executor that it is ready for collection. If the executor lives outside the metropolitan area and is unable to attend an interview, the relevant forms and documents can be sent to the executor to complete and return to us.
Fees for our Executor Assist service are charged on an hourly basis. The hourly rate is $185 per hour, with a minimum fee of $185. Fees for the Executor Assist service are payable when probate is granted.
Additional out of pocket expenses (for example, the cost of the probate application, Landgate fees and genealogy services, if applicable) and other fees (such as legal fees or fees for conducting searches) may also apply.
Last Updated: 30-Jun-2009
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