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Individual rights & freedoms
Who’s who: executors and other key people
A beneficiary is any person or organisation who is left anything under a will.
Note: If a person is named as a beneficiary, they should not be a witness to the signing of the will. If they witness the will, they, and their spouse, civil union partner or de facto partner, will usually lose any entitlement under the will (see “Who can be a witness to the making of my will?” in this chapter).
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Wills
Community Law
Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.
New Zealand Law Society
www.lawsociety.org.nz/for-the-public/common-legal-issues/
Pamphlets
Making a will and estate administration
Dividing up relationship property.
Access pamphlets online or order hardcopies from the New Zealand Law Society.
Phone: (04) 472 7837
Email: pamphlets@lawsociety.org.nz
Ministry of Justice
www.justice.govt.nz/courts/high-court/apply-for-probate-and-get-copy-of-will
This webpage provides some useful information and links on the more technical legal side of getting a copy of a will when a relative has died.
Māori Land Succession
www.maorilandcourt.govt.nz/your-maori-land/succession/
This gives information on how Māori land is dealt with, including how land is dealt with after an owner has passed away.
Public Trust
www.publictrust.co.nz/personal/wills
Phone: 0800 371 471
The Public Trust gives information about things to consider when making a will, setting things up, choosing an executor and estate administration. Facilities are also available for making a will online. You can call them or visit their website to fill out an enquiry form.
Consumer NZ
www.consumer.org.nz/articles/wills
The Consumer NZ website contains good information about wills, including the legal requirements for making a will, and what it’s likely to cost to administer after a person dies.
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