Fixed-Fee Probate NZ — Compare Pricing Models | Simply Probate

Fixed-Fee Probate in NZ — Why More Executors Are Choosing Transparent Pricing

Being named as executor often comes as a surprise. You are dealing with grief, family expectations, and legal processes you may never have encountered — and then you discover that probate can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on which firm you call and how long the work takes.

The growing interest in fixed-fee probate reflects a straightforward preference: executors want to know what they will pay before they commit, not after the work is done. This guide explains the two main pricing models for probate in New Zealand, what each includes, and how to decide which is right for your situation.

Two Ways to Pay for Probate in New Zealand

Not all probate services are priced the same way. Two models dominate the NZ market. Understanding how each works helps you compare providers on an equal footing.

Hourly-Rate Firms — The Traditional Model

Hourly billing is how most general practice law firms charge for estate work. The firm quotes an hourly rate — typically $250–$450 per hour for probate work at a New Zealand firm — and charges for every hour (or part-hour) spent on your matter. The final bill reflects actual time spent, which depends on:

• The complexity of the estate and its documentation
• How many queries the court raises (each requisition requires additional work and correspondence)
• The volume of communication with beneficiaries, banks, and government agencies
• Whether complications arise that were not anticipated at the outset

The invoice arrives after the work is done. You may receive an estimate upfront, but it is just that — an estimate. If the matter takes longer than expected, the bill increases accordingly.

Hourly billing exists for good reasons. For complex estates — contested wills, trust structures, business interests, multiple jurisdictions, or missing heirs — the scope is genuinely unpredictable. Asking a firm to accept a fixed fee for unpredictable work is unreasonable. The hourly model puts cost risk where it belongs: with the matter that created it.

For straightforward estates, however, hourly billing means the executor carries cost uncertainty for work that follows a largely predictable process.

Fixed-Fee Services — The Transparent Alternative

A fixed-fee probate service quotes one price for a defined scope of work before you begin. You know the total before committing. If the work takes longer than expected, the provider absorbs the difference — not the client.

Fixed-fee pricing works for probate because straightforward applications follow a consistent process: gather the documents, complete the court forms, prepare the executor’s affidavit, and file with the High Court. The steps are predictable. A specialist service that handles this work repeatedly can quote a flat fee with confidence and still serve clients well.

The fixed-fee model is not about cutting corners — it is about matching the pricing structure to the nature of the work. When the process is predictable, the price should be too.

What Does a Fixed-Fee Probate Service Actually Include?

The table below compares what you typically receive from a fixed-fee specialist and a general practice hourly-rate firm for a standard probate application.

Feature	Fixed-Fee Specialist (e.g. Simply Probate)	Hourly-Rate General Practice
Price certainty	Yes — quoted upfront	No — estimated range only
Scope	Defined: application preparation, affidavit, filing guidance	Varies by firm
Additional charges	Only for out-of-scope work (clearly defined upfront)	Disbursements, correspondence, phone calls may be billed
Court filing fee ($269)	Separate (paid direct to court)	Often bundled into invoice
Lawyer oversight	Yes — qualified NZ lawyer	Yes — solicitor or barrister
Turnaround	Typically 1–2 days for document preparation	Depends on firm workload
Communication	Online, direct contact	Appointments and correspondence (may be billed)
Best suited for	Straightforward estates, NZ-only assets, uncontested will	Complex estates, disputes, trust structures, cross-border assets

The central distinction is cost certainty. With a fixed-fee service, you know the number before you start. With hourly billing, you know the rate — but not the total.

When Does Fixed-Fee Probate Make Sense?

Fixed-fee probate is well suited to estates that fit a standard profile. The following factors suggest a fixed-fee service is appropriate for your situation:

• The deceased left a valid, uncontested will
• All assets are in New Zealand only
• No family disputes or challenges to the will are anticipated
• The estate value is above the informal threshold but not unusually complex
• You want cost certainty before committing
• The estate does not involve trust structures, business interests, or overseas property

If your situation involves contested beneficiaries, trust assets, overseas property, or significant missing documentation, an hourly-rate specialist may be more appropriate. A good fixed-fee provider will tell you at the intake stage if your estate falls outside their standard scope — that is a sign of a reputable service, not a limitation.

How Simply Probate’s Fixed-Fee Model Works

Simply Probate charges a fixed $699 + GST for a standard probate application. The process is:

1. Start online. Complete the guided questionnaire at simplyprobate.co.nz. Provide information about the deceased, the will, the executor, and the estate.

2. Document preparation. Simply Probate prepares the complete application pack: the application form, the executor’s affidavit, and all supporting documents required under the High Court Rules 2016. Documents are typically ready within 1–2 business days.

3. Lawyer review. Every application is reviewed by a qualified NZ lawyer before release. The review checks for technical defects that might otherwise trigger a requisition from the court — the most common cause of delay in self-filed applications.

4. Filing guidance. You receive clear instructions on filing with the High Court and paying the court filing fee ($269, paid directly to the registry — this is separate from Simply Probate’s fee).

5. Grant issued. For a compliant application, the grant of probate is typically issued within about two weeks of filing. The court sends the grant directly to you as executor.

What is included: Application forms, executor’s affidavit, supporting document preparation, lawyer review, and filing instructions.

What is not included — and why: Post-grant estate administration falls outside Simply Probate’s scope. Once the grant is issued, the executor’s responsibility begins: collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries. Being precise about this scope prevents misunderstanding and ensures clients know what to expect after the grant is issued.

Total known cost before you start: $803.85 inc GST (Simply Probate fee) + $269 (court filing fee).

What Affects the Cost of Probate in NZ?

Even with a fixed professional fee, the total cost of settling an estate involves more than one line item. Factors that affect overall probate cost include:

• Estate complexity. A straightforward estate with one property and clear beneficiaries requires less work overall than one with multiple asset classes, offshore accounts, or a disputed will.
• Whether letters of administration are needed. If the deceased died without a will, letters of administration are required rather than probate. The application process is similar, but the legal basis differs.
• Court filing fees. The High Court filing fee is $269 regardless of which service you use or how complex the estate is.
• Whether the estate requires advertising for creditors. Some estates require a public notice to creditors before distribution can proceed. This step is separate from the probate application.
• Post-grant professional fees. Valuers, accountants, conveyancers, and other professionals engaged after the grant is issued are outside the scope of the probate application and incur separate costs.

For a full breakdown of all probate-related costs in New Zealand, see our complete guide to probate costs in NZ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fixed-fee probate service really cheaper?

Not always — but it is predictable. For straightforward estates, fixed-fee pricing is typically significantly less than hourly-rate alternatives at general practice firms. For complex estates with unpredictable scope, hourly billing may ultimately be more cost-effective because a fixed-fee provider would either decline the work or quote a higher flat rate to cover the uncertainty.

Do I still get a real lawyer with a fixed-fee service?

Yes. Simply Probate applications are prepared under the oversight of a qualified NZ lawyer. Fixed-fee does not mean unqualified or unregulated. Simply Probate is a legal service, not a document-preparation platform without professional oversight.

What if my estate is too complex for a fixed fee?

Simply Probate will tell you at the intake stage. If the estate involves contested beneficiaries, overseas assets, trust structures, or anything outside the standard scope, we will say so directly rather than accept work we cannot handle efficiently. There is no obligation, and you will not be charged for an initial assessment.

Does the $699 + GST include the court filing fee?

No. The High Court filing fee of $269 is paid directly to the court when you file the application. Simply Probate’s fee covers document preparation and lawyer review. Both costs are known before you start: $803.85 inc GST (Simply Probate) + $269 (court filing fee).

Can I switch from hourly-rate to fixed-fee mid-process?

It depends on how far the work has progressed with your current firm. If significant preparation has already been done, completing through them may be the most practical path. If you are still in the early stages, contact Simply Probate to discuss what you have and whether starting fresh is viable.

How long does a fixed-fee probate application take?

Simply Probate typically prepares documents within 1–2 business days. The High Court then processes the application — usually around two weeks for a compliant filing. Simply Probate’s lawyer review before filing is designed to minimise the risk of requisitions that would otherwise add time.

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If you are weighing up whether to handle the application yourself, see our DIY probate guide. If you are considering Public Trust, see our comparison of Simply Probate and Public Trust — they are different services at different scopes.