Administering an Estate – How Long Does it Take?

The question of how long it takes to wind up an estate following a death can often prey on the minds of the bereaved, as it can be hard for them to move on while their loved one’s affairs remain unsettled.

Unfortunately however, there is no one definitive answer to be given to this question as all estates are different. The role of the Executor – the person whose job it is to wind up the deceased’s estate – can be a complex one, and even if the estate itself is a relatively simple one, it can still take a considerable amount of time to sort out.

Under the Succession Act 2006, it will take a minimum of six months to finalise an estate from the day the deceased passed away, and NSW Trustee & Guardian states that on average, it takes between nine and twelve months to finalise the majority of estates.

However, not all estates are straight forward and in some cases problems will arise that extend the duration of the estate administration process, such as:

• The deceased dying intestate i.e. without a Will
• Delays in selling assets belonging to the estate, such as property
• Problems locating the estate beneficiaries named in the Will
• Legal challenges to the validity of the Will, or claims on the estate from people who are not named beneficiaries

Because of the complexities involved in administering an estate, it is worth considering using the professional services of experienced solicitors, either to carry out the estate administration itself or to assist the Executor in carrying out the role. This will help to ensure the estate is finalised with the minimum of delays.

Contact our Solicitors in Sydney and New South Wales

At Szabo & Associates, Solicitors we have many years of experiencing advising on Wills & Succession. Our team of succession lawyers are very familiar administering the terms of a Will, and in assisting Executors fulfil their duties. If you have any questions becoming an Executor, or are perhaps unsure who you should appoint to administer the terms of your Will, then contact us today. Please call George Szabo on (02) 9281-5088 or fill in our online contact form.

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