How much does probate cost in NZ?

The cost of probate in New Zealand has two components: the High Court filing fee fixed by regulation, and the lawyer’s fee for preparing the application. Both are paid from the estate itself, not from the executor’s personal funds.

The filing fee

The probate application filing fee is $200, set by Schedule 2 of the High Court Fees Regulations 2013. The same $200 applies whether the estate is worth $50,000 or $5 million. Letters of administration (used when the deceased left no will) have the same filing fee. The fee is paid to the High Court registry when the application is lodged.

Lawyer fees

Lawyer fees are not regulated and vary widely. As a working guide for an executor engaging a lawyer in 2026:

• Simple, uncontested application — one beneficiary, original will, no real property complications — $2,000 to $4,000 plus GST and disbursements
• Medium-complexity estate — multiple beneficiaries, family home, KiwiSaver, possibly an overseas asset — $4,000 to $7,000
• Complex or contested estate — business interest, missing will, Family Protection Act claim threatened, or assets in multiple jurisdictions — $7,000 to $20,000 or more

These fee bands reflect a Queens Counsel-supervised or partner-level lawyer at a small-to-mid Auckland or Wellington firm. Provincial firms are often at the lower end.

What drives the cost up

Cost generally moves with file time, not estate value. The main drivers are:

• Requisitions from the registrar — any defect in the application means the lawyer must redraft and re-file
• Lost or improperly executed will — additional affidavits required
• Caveats — must be resolved before the grant issues
• Tax complications — outstanding IRD obligations can require accountant involvement before distribution

Who actually pays

The estate pays. The executor settles legal and court costs out of estate funds before distributing what remains to beneficiaries. If the estate has no liquid cash on the date of grant, the executor’s lawyer can usually wait for the first realised asset.

For a full breakdown of what’s included in a typical lawyer’s probate fee, and worked examples for a small, medium and large estate, see our detailed probate cost guide.

Want help?

Lawyer fees vary considerably between firms. If you would like an upfront estimate for the specific estate you are dealing with, book a free consultation and we will quote in writing.