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From 24 September 2025 , the New Zealand Government increased the probate threshold from $15,000 to $40,000 — a long-awaited change that simplifies the estate process for thousands of families. This adjustment, though seemingly small, removes the need for costly High Court applications for many modest estates, especially KiwiSaver accounts sitting between $20,000 and $40,000. Why this change matters The previous $15,000 limit was set decades ago when savings balances were far smaller. With KiwiSaver now a cornerstone of retirement planning, many New Zealanders had moderate accounts that still triggered the expensive probate process. Under the old rules, families often had to spend $2,000–$3,000 on legal fees to release funds that were barely worth more than that. The new $40,000 threshold reduces this red tape and helps ensure small estates aren’t swallowed up by administration costs . What probate actually is Probate is the formal process where the High Court confirms that a deceased person’s will is valid and appoints the executor to manage their estate. It gives banks, KiwiSaver providers and insurers legal proof that they’re releasing funds to the right person. Until now, almost any estate exceeding $15,000 required probate, even if it was just a modest KiwiSaver balance or a small bank account.