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When Loans and Guarantees Survive Death
Read guide: When Loans and Guarantees Survive DeathThe executor knew about the mortgage. They did not know about the guarantee. While reviewing the deceased’s files, they found a letter from a lender…
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Securing an Estate Before Conflict Takes Hold
Read guide: Securing an Estate Before Conflict Takes HoldThe executor arrived at the deceased’s home on Saturday morning and found the front door open. Two relatives were inside. One was packing jewellery into…
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When the Executor Has a Personal Stake
Read guide: When the Executor Has a Personal StakeThe executor wanted to buy the deceased’s business. On paper, the plan seemed practical. The executor already understood the operation, the employees knew them, and…
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When Beneficiaries Turn Against the Will
Read guide: When Beneficiaries Turn Against the WillThe executor expected disappointment. One child had received the family home. Another had received a smaller cash gift. A third had been left out entirely.…
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Probate Without a Lawyer: A Careful DIY Guide
Read guide: Probate Without a Lawyer: A Careful DIY GuideThe executor had read the will three times. The appointment was clear. There was one original will, one executor, no handwritten changes and no obvious…
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Where Your NZ Probate Application Really Goes
Read guide: Where Your NZ Probate Application Really GoesThe executor lived in Dunedin. The deceased had lived in Christchurch. Most of the estate’s property was in Auckland, and the executor’s co-applicant had recently…
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Managing NZ Probate From Overseas
Read guide: Managing NZ Probate From OverseasThe executor was sitting in a London apartment when the message arrived. Her uncle had died in New Zealand, and the will named her as…
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When the Original Will Cannot Be Used
Read guide: When the Original Will Cannot Be UsedThe executor found the envelope exactly where the deceased had said it would be. Inside was the will, but it was not in the condition…
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Probate Errors That Bring an Estate to a Standstill
Read guide: Probate Errors That Bring an Estate to a StandstillThe probate application looked ready. The executor had located the original will, ordered the death certificate and carefully signed the affidavit. The papers were filed…
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