Australian Capital Territory
Administration and Probate Act 1929    
A1929-18
Republication No 17
Effective:  7 May 2008 – 18 May 2008
Republication date: 7 May 2008
Last amendment made by A2008-7

Unauthorised version prepared by ACT Parliamentary Counsel’s Office

About this republication
The republished law
This is a republication of the Administration and Probate Act 1929 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 7 May 2008.  It also includes any amendment, repeal or expiry affecting the republished law to 7 May 2008.  
The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4. 
Kinds of republications
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):
•	authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies
•	unauthorised republications.
The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.  Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117).  The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.  
This republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).
Uncommenced provisions and amendments
If a provision of the republished law has not commenced or is affected by an uncommenced amendment, the symbol  U  appears immediately before the provision heading.  The text of the uncommenced provision or amendment appears only in the last endnote.
Modifications
If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol  M  appears immediately before the provision heading.  The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes.  For the legal status of modifications, see Legislation Act 2001, section 95.
Penalties
The value of a penalty unit for an offence against this republished law at the republication date is—
	(a)	if the person charged is an individual—$100; or
	(b)	if the person charged is a corporation—$500.

Australian Capital Territory
Administration and Probate Act 1929

Contents
	Page

Part 1	Preliminary
	1	Name of Act	2
	2	Dictionary	2
	3	Notes	2
Part 3	Grant of representation
Division 3.1	Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
	8C	Supreme Court to make finding about domicile of deceased person	3
	9	Probate or administration may be granted	3
	9A	Evidence of death	4
	9B	Grant on presumption of death	4
	10B	Grant to single executor reserving leave to others to apply	6
	10C	Grant of probate to public trustee	6
	11	Practice about granting administration of real and personal estate	7
	12	Eligible administrators	7
	13	Rights and duties of administrator	8
	20	Renunciation or non-appearance by executor	8
	20A	Renunciation etc by person appointed both executor and trustee of will	9
	21	Administration to guardian of child sole executor	10
	22	Administration under power of attorney	10
	23	Administration pendente lite and receiver	10
	24	Power to appoint administrator	11
	25	Failure of executor to prove will	11
	26	Issue of special letters of administration	12
	27	Special administrator to make certain affidavits	12
	28	On return of original executor or administrator special administration to be revoked	12
	29	Accounting by special administrator	13
	30	Liability of executor or administrator neglecting to apply for revocation of special administration	13
	31	Revocation of grants not to prejudice actions or suits	13
	32	Discharge or removal of executors and administrators	14
	32A	Revocation of grant if person living at date of grant	15
	32B	Effect of revocation of grant	16
Division 3.3	Effect of grant of representation
	38A	Estate to vest in public trustee until grant	17
	39	Real and personal estate to vest in executor or administrator	18
	40	Real estate held in trust	18
	41	Property of deceased to be assets	18
	41A	Property of deceased liable for debts	19
	41B	Appointments by will under general power	19
	41C	Administration of assets	20
	41D	Application of income of settled residuary estate	20
	42	Real estate to be held on trusts of will	22
	43	Rights of executor in relation to real estate	22
Division 3.4	Position of executor of an executor
	43A	Executor of executor	23
	43B	When ceases to represent deceased	24
	43C	Rights and liabilities of executor of executor	24
Part 3A	Intestacy
Division 3A.1	Preliminary
	44	Interpretation for pt 3A	25
Division 3A.2	Distribution on intestacy
	44A	Whole blood or half-blood relationships	26
	45	Executor or administrator to hold property of intestate on trust for persons entitled	26
	45A	Distribution between spouse and eligible partner	27
	46	Provisions relating to persons who at date of death of intestate are children	27
	48	Estate by courtesy or right of dower not to arise	28
	49	Distribution of intestate estate	28
	49A	Interest of partner on intestacy in personal chattels	29
	49AA	Immovable property if intestate domiciled elsewhere	29
	49B	How distribution to issue is made	30
	49BA	Gifts made before death of intestate	31
	49C	How distribution to next of kin is made	33
	49CA	How distribution to the Territory is made	34
	49D	Partial intestacies	35
	49E	Presumptions of parentage	36
Division 3A.3	Rights of partners to intestate dwelling houses
	49F	Definitions for div 3A.3	36
	49G	Claim by partner to dwelling house	37
	49H	Valuation	38
	49J	Right not exercisable for certain tenancies	38
	49K	Right not exercisable in certain other cases	38
	49L	Personal representative not to sell or dispose of interest without consent	39
	49M	Rule that trustee not to purchase trust property	40
	49N	If surviving partner is under legal disability	40
Part 3B	Simultaneous deaths
	49P	Simultaneous deaths—devolution of property generally	41
	49Q	Simultaneous deaths—devolution of jointly owned property	41
Part 3C	Functions of executors and administrators
	50	Powers of executors and administrators to sell, mortgage or lease real estate	42
	51	Supreme Court may make special order	43
	51A	Supreme Court may authorise postponement of realisation and carrying on of business	44
	52	Supreme Court may order partition in summary way	44
	53	Personal representative not required to continue to act against own consent	45
	54	In suits executor or administrator to represent real estate	46
	55	All debts to stand in equal degree	46
	55A	Interest on legacies	46
	56	Executor may sign acknowledgment instead of conveyance	47
	57	Summary application for legacy etc	47
	58	Examination and passing of accounts etc	48
	61	Supreme Court may make order about disposal of money in hands of executor etc	49
	62	Payments under revoked probates or administrations valid	49
	63	Persons etc making payments on probate granted for estate of deceased person to be indemnified	49
	64	Distribution of assets	50
	65	Claims barred against executor or administrator in certain cases	51
	66	Distribution of estate by executors and administrators	51
	67	Right to follow assets	52
	68	Executors may compound etc	52
	69	Every executor etc taken to be resident in ACT	53
	70	Executors etc may be allowed commission	53
Part 3D	Liability of certain persons in relation to deceased estates
	74A	Fraudulently obtaining or keeping property	54
	74B	Persons liable for waste of deceased estate	55
Part 5	Recognition of foreign grants
	79A	Orders to collect and administer estates for pt 5	56
	79B	Inclusion of orders to collect and Scottish confirmation	56
	80	Reseal of grant made in reciprocating jurisdiction	56
	80B	Supreme Court may require security	57
	80C	Effect of sealing	57
Part 6	Public trustee
	87B	Estates valued at $30 000 or less	59
	87C	Estates valued at $150 000 or less	60
	88	Orders to public trustee to collect and administer	62
	89	Effect of order	64
	90	Grant of probate or administration despite appointment of public trustee	64
	91	Cessation of rights and liabilities of public trustee	65
	92	Order to public trustee to collect and administer in special circumstances	66
	93	Notice of order to be published	66
	95	Supreme Court orders against public trustee	67
	96	Orders on complaints under s 95	67
	97	Public trustee to act as Supreme Court directs	68
	97A	Public trustee may obtain directions of Supreme Court	68
	98	Proceedings for estates administered by the public trustee	68
	101	Accounts to be kept etc	69
	102	Receipt of public trustee sufficient discharge	69
Part 9	Miscellaneous
	127	Person fraudulently disposing of will liable for damages	70
	128	Application of amendments made by Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act 1996	70
Schedule 4	72
Part 4.1	Order of application of assets if estate solvent	72
Part 4.2	Rules about payment of debts and liabilities if estate insolvent	73
Schedule 6	Distribution of intestate estate on intestacy	74
Part 6.1	Distribution of estate if intestate survived by partner	74
Part 6.2	Distribution of estate if intestate not survived by partner	76
Dictionary		77
Endnotes
	1	About the endnotes	80
	2	Abbreviation key	80
	3	Legislation history	81
	4	Amendment history	88
	5	Earlier republications	109

Australian Capital Territory
Administration and Probate Act 1929

An Act relating to the administration of the estates of deceased persons

    

Part 1	Preliminary
1	Name of Act
This Act is the Administration and Probate Act 1929.
2	Dictionary
The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.
Note 1	The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this Act.
Note 2	A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).
3	Notes
A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.
Note	See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.

Part 3	Grant of representation
Division 3.1	Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
8C	Supreme Court to make finding about domicile of deceased person
On an application made under this Act—
	(a)	for the grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of a deceased person; or
	(b)	to have probate of the will, administration of the estate, or an order to collect and administer the estate, of a deceased person granted by a court of competent jurisdiction in a State or other Territory sealed with the seal of the Supreme Court; or
	(c)	by the public trustee for an order to collect and administer the estate of a deceased person;
the Supreme Court must not grant the relief sought unless it has made a finding about the domicile of the deceased person at the time of death.
9	Probate or administration may be granted
	(1)	The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to grant probate of the will or administration of the estate of any deceased person leaving property, whether real or personal, within the ACT.
	(2)	The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to grant probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of a deceased person who did not leave property, whether real or personal, within the ACT, if the court is satisfied that the grant of probate or administration is necessary.
9A	Evidence of death
	(1)	Probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of a person may be granted by the Supreme Court if it is satisfied, by direct evidence or by evidence supporting a presumption of death, that the person is, or may be presumed to be, dead.
	(2)	A grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of a person made on direct evidence of the death of the person or on evidence supporting a presumption of the death of the person is valid even if the person is, after the day the grant was made, found to have been alive on that day.
9B	Grant on presumption of death
	(1)	If the Supreme Court makes a grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of a person on evidence supporting a presumption of the death of the person—
	(a)	the grant must be expressed to be made on presumption of the death of the person; and 
	(b)	the estate of the person must not be distributed without the leave of the court; and
	(c)	the court may, in the probate or administration or by an order made at any time, give leave to distribute the estate; and
	(d)	the court may, in giving leave to distribute the estate of the person, direct that the distribution must not be made unless each person who is to take under the distribution gives an undertaking or security that he or she will, if the probate or administration is revoked—
	(i)	if the person has received property other than money under the order—restore the property or, at his or her option, pay an amount equal to the value of the property at the time he or she received the property to the person whose death was presumed or, if that person has subsequently died, to the administrator of the estate of that person; or
	(ii)	if the person has received money under the order—pay an amount equal to the amount of the money received under the order to the person whose death was presumed or, if that person has subsequently died, to the administrator of the estate of that person; and
	(e)	the court may direct the executor or the administrator to give, before the estate is distributed, the notices (including a notice stating a date before which a caveat against the distribution of the estate may be filed in the Supreme Court under the rules) that the court considers appropriate.
	(2)	If an executor or administrator of an estate has given the notices directed by the Supreme Court under subsection (1) (e), the executor or administrator—
	(a)	may, subject to subsection (3), after the end of the period stated in the notices, distribute the estate among the persons entitled to it, having regard only to the claims of which the executor or administrator has notice at the time of the distribution; and
	(b)	is not liable, in relation to any part of the estate so distributed, to a person entitled to that part of whose claim he or she did not have notice at the time of the distribution.
	(3)	If a caveat against the distribution of an estate has been filed in the Supreme Court in accordance with a notice under subsection (1) (e) and the caveat is in force under the rules—
	(a)	the executor or administrator must not distribute the estate among the persons entitled to it except under an order of the Supreme Court under subsection (4); and
	(b)	the executor or administrator, the person who filed the caveat or a person interested in the distribution of the estate may make application to the Supreme Court for an order under subsection (4).
	(4)	Despite the filing of a caveat in the Supreme Court in accordance with subsection (1) (e), the court may, on application under subsection (3) (b), make an order authorising the executor or administrator of an estate to distribute the estate among the people entitled to it.
	(5)	An order under subsection (4) may authorise the distribution of the estate subject to the conditions the Supreme Court considers appropriate.
10B	Grant to single executor reserving leave to others to apply
The Supreme Court may, if it considers appropriate, grant probate to 1 or more of the executors named in a will reserving leave to the executor who has not renounced, or the executors who have not renounced, to come in and apply for a grant of probate at a future time.
10C	Grant of probate to public trustee
If a deceased person has named, as an executor of his or her will—
	(a)	the public trustee for the Australian Capital Territory; or
	(b)	the public trustee of a State; or
	(c)	the public trustee for the Northern Territory;
the Supreme Court may grant probate of the will to that public trustee.
11	Practice about granting administration of real and personal estate
Subject to this Act and the rules, the practice and procedure in relation to the granting of administration of the personal estate of an intestate are applicable so far as may be, to administration of real estate, and administration of both real and personal estate may be granted in and by the same letters.
12	Eligible administrators
	(1)	The Supreme Court may grant administration of an intestate estate to any of the following persons, subject to this section:
	(a)	the partner of the intestate;
	(b)	1 or more of the next of kin of the intestate;
	(c)	if the intestate is survived by 2 partners—either partner, or both partners conjointly;
	(d)	a partner or partners of the intestate conjointly with 1 or more of the next of kin of the intestate;
	(e)	any other person (whether or not a creditor of the intestate) the court considers appropriate.
	(2)	The Supreme Court must only grant administration of an intestate estate to a person who is at least 18 years old.
	(3)	The Supreme Court must not grant administration of an intestate estate to a person mentioned in subsection (1) (e) if there is anyone else to whom administration may be granted under this section who—
	(a)	in the court’s opinion, can be trusted with administration of the estate; and
	(b)	applies to be granted administration of the estate.
	(4)	In this section:
partner, in relation to an intestate—see section 44.
13	Rights and duties of administrator
A person to whom administration of the estate of a deceased person is granted—
	(a)	has, subject to any limitations in the grant, the same rights and liabilities as the person would have if the person were the executor of the deceased person; and
	(b)	is accountable in the same way as the person would be accountable if the person were the executor of the deceased person.
Note	This section was relocated from the Imperial Acts (Substituted Provisions) Act 1986, sch 2, pt 4 (for the effect of a relocation, see Legislation Act 2001, s 96).  The 1986 Act substituted provisions for certain UK Acts that applied (or may have applied) in the ACT and repealed those Acts.  The provisions of sch 2, pt 4 were substituted for 31 Edw. 3, St. 1, c 11 (1357) and 1 Jas. 2 c 17, s 6 (1685).  The 1986 Act, s 4 (1) provided, in effect, that the rules of law about the interpretation of consolidating Acts apply to the interpretation of the provisions of a law set out in sch 2.  These rules of law continue to apply to this section (see Legislation Act 2001, s 96 (3)).
20	Renunciation or non-appearance by executor
	(1)	This section applies if—
	(a)	the person appointed executor by a will renounces probate of the will; or
	(b)	the person appointed executor by a will survives the testator but dies without having taken out probate of the will; or
	(c)	an application is made in the Supreme Court under section 25 (Failure of executor to prove will) in relation to the person appointed executor by a will and the person does not file in the court a notice of intention to respond or defence within the time required by the rules.
	(2)	The person’s rights as executor of the will cease, and the representation of the testator and the administration of the testator’s estate are taken, without further renunciation, to devolve as if the person had not been appointed executor.
20A	Renunciation etc by person appointed both executor and trustee of will
	(1)	If section 20 (1) (a) or (c) applies to a person who is appointed by a will both executor and trustee, the person is taken to have disclaimed the trust contained in the will.
	(2)	If—
	(a)	section 20 (1) (a), (b) or (c) applies to a person who is appointed by a will both executor and trustee, and administration with the will annexed is granted to a trustee company; or 
	(b)	a person appointed by a will both executor and trustee authorises a trustee company to apply for administration with the will annexed, and administration with the will annexed is granted to the trustee company;
the trustee company is taken, because of the grant of administration and without any further appointment, to be appointed trustee of the will in the person’s place.
	(3)	In this section:
trustee company—see the Trustee Companies Act 1947, dictionary.
21	Administration to guardian of child sole executor
	(1)	If a child is sole executor, administration with the will annexed may be granted to—
	(a)	the guardian of the child; or
	(b)	any other person the Supreme Court considers appropriate;
until the child is 18 years old, with full or limited powers to act in the premises until probate has been granted to the executor or administration has been granted to some other person.
	(2)	The person to whom that administration is granted has the same powers as an administrator under an administration granted during the minority of the child.
22	Administration under power of attorney
	(1)	If a person entitled to probate or administration of a deceased estate is out of the jurisdiction, and has appointed a person within the jurisdiction under a power of attorney to exercise that entitlement, the Supreme Court may grant administration to the attorney on behalf of the entitled person on the terms the court considers appropriate.
	(2)	The grant of administration under subsection (1) continues in force despite the death of the donor of the power of attorney, subject to the terms of the grant.
23	Administration pendente lite and receiver
	(1)	The Supreme Court may—
	(a)	pending any suit touching the validity of the will of any deceased person, or for obtaining recalling, or revoking any probate or any grant of administration; or
	(b)	during a contested right of administration;
appoint an administrator of the personal estate and the same or any other person to be receiver of the real estate of any deceased person, with the full or limited powers that the court considers appropriate.
	(2)	The Supreme Court may make the orders for the remuneration of the administrator or receiver out of the personal and real estate of the deceased person it considers right.
24	Power to appoint administrator
The Supreme Court may, if a person dies—
	(a)	intestate; or
	(b)	leaving a will, but without having appointed an executor; or
	(c)	leaving a will and having appointed an executor, who—
	(i)	is not willing and competent to take probate; or
	(ii)	is resident out of the ACT;
if it considers it necessary or convenient, appoint some person to be the administrator of the estate of the deceased person or of any part of the estate, on giving the security (if any) that the court directs, and may limit the administration as the court considers appropriate.
25	Failure of executor to prove will
	(1)	This section applies if the person named as executor in a will—
	(a)	fails to prove the will or renounce probate within 3 months after the later of the following:
	(i)	the date of the testator’s death;
	(ii)	the date the executor turns 18 years old; or
	(b)	is unknown or cannot be found.
	(2)	The Supreme Court may, on application under the rules, make an order for administration of the estate, and any other orders, the court considers appropriate.
26	Issue of special letters of administration
If, at the end of 6 months from the death of any person, the executor to whom probate has been granted or the administrator is then residing out of the jurisdiction, the Supreme Court may, on the application of any creditor, legatee, or next of kin, grant to the creditor, legatee or next of kin so applying special letters of administration of the estate of the deceased person, nevertheless to cease on an order being made for the revocation of the grant of the special letters of administration as mentioned in section 29.
27	Special administrator to make certain affidavits
The person applying for grant of special letters of administration must, in addition to the oath usually taken by administrators, satisfy the Supreme Court by affidavit that the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased person is resident out of the jurisdiction, and that—
	(a)	the applicant is thereby delayed in recovering or obtaining payment of money or the possession of goods and chattels, or real estate, to which he or she is by law entitled; or
	(b)	the estate is liable to loss or waste.
28	On return of original executor or administrator special administration to be revoked
	(1)	On the return within the jurisdiction of the executor to whom probate has originally been granted, or the administrator, the executor or administrator may apply to the Supreme Court to revoke the special grant of administration.
	(2)	The Supreme Court, on the hearing of the application, may make an order to revoke the special grant of administration on the terms and conditions about security, costs, or otherwise that the court appear reasonable, and the original probate or administration are and remain as valid and effectual as if the special grant of administration had not been made.
29	Accounting by special administrator
On any order being made by the Supreme Court for the revocation of any grant of special administration the special administrator is bound duly to account to the original executor or administrator, and to pay over any money received by him or her as special administrator that is undisposed of as the court may order.
30	Liability of executor or administrator neglecting to apply for revocation of special administration
If the executor or administrator neglects to apply for an order for the revocation of the special administration, he or she is, even though the special administration remains unrevoked, liable to answer and make good all claims and demands against the estate of the deceased person to the extent of the assets that have come to his or her hands or that might have come to his or her hands apart from his or her wilful neglect, or default, including the neglect mentioned in this section.
31	Revocation of grants not to prejudice actions or suits
If, while any legal proceeding is pending in any court by or against any executor or administrator lawfully acting as such, the grant of probate or administration is revoked, that court may order that the proceeding be continued by or against the new personal representative in like way, as if the proceeding had been originally begun by or against the new representative, but subject to the conditions and variations (if any) as that court directs.
32	Discharge or removal of executors and administrators
	(1)	In this section:
administrator includes an administrator appointed under this section.
Note	Administrator includes any person to whom administration is granted (see dict).
executor means an executor who has been granted representation.
	(2)	This section applies if an executor or administrator—
	(a)	remains out of the ACT for more than 2 years; or
	(b)	wants to be discharged from the office of executor or administrator; or
	(c)	after the grant of representation or appointment—
	(i)	refuses to act in the office; or
	(ii)	is unfit to act in the office; or
	(iii)	is incapable of acting in the office.
	(3)	The Supreme Court may order, on the terms and conditions it considers appropriate—
	(a)	the discharge or removal of the executor or administrator (the old executor or administrator); and
	(b)	the appointment of someone else as administrator (the new administrator) in place of the old executor or administrator.
	(4)	For subsection (3), the Supreme Court may make—
	(a)	orders for vesting the estate in the new administrator; or
	(b)	orders about accounts; or
	(c)	any order about costs.
	(5)	The old executor or administrator is not liable for an act done or omission made after the date of the order.
	(6)	On appointment of a new administrator—
	(a)	the property and rights of the estate vested in the old executor or administrator vest in the new administrator; and
	(b)	the liabilities properly incurred in the administration of the estate by the old executor or administrator vest in the new administrator; and
	(c)	the new administrator has the same functions as if probate of the estate had originally been granted to the new administrator.
	(7)	If the Supreme Court considers it necessary, notice of an application for the discharge or removal of the old executor or administrator may be served on anyone the Supreme Court directs.
32A	Revocation of grant if person living at date of grant
	(1)	If the Supreme Court is satisfied that a person was living at the time when probate of his or her will, or administration of his or her estate, was granted by the court, the court—
	(a)	must revoke the grant on the terms (if any) the court considers appropriate in relation to proceedings that have been begun by or against the executor or administrator or in relation to costs or any other matter; and 
	(b)	may at any time, whether before or after the revocation of the grant, make the orders the court considers appropriate for the protection of the estate, including an order for an injunction against the executor or administrator or another person and an order for the appointment of a receiver.
	(2)	An application to the Supreme Court for the revocation, under subsection (1), of a grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of a person may be made—
	(a)	by the person; or
	(b)	if the person has died since the grant—by any person entitled to apply for a grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of the person or by a person interested in the estate of the person.
32B	Effect of revocation of grant
	(1)	If a grant of probate or administration has been revoked under this Act—
	(a)	the executor or administrator to whom the grant was made must account to the Supreme Court for the property that he or she has received, or that has vested in him or her, as the executor or administrator, and the court may make the orders it considers appropriate in relation to the disposal by the executor or administrator of so much of that property as remains in his or her hands; and
	(b)	the executor or administrator is not liable in relation to property that he or she has disposed of under the grant in good faith before the revocation of the grant if he or she complied with section 9B in relation to the disposing of that property; and
	(c)	the revocation of the grant does not, of its own force, invalidate a disposal of property made by, or to, the executor or administrator before the revocation of the grant; and
	(d)	a person entitled to any property that has been distributed by the executor or administrator to whom the grant was made may apply to the court for an order under subsection (2); and
	(e)	an action does not lie against the registrar-general for loss suffered by any person in consequence of the registration of a dealing with land under the Land Titles Act 1925, being a dealing lawfully made by the executor or administrator before the revocation of the grant; and
	(f)	the court may make the vesting orders it considers appropriate.
	(2)	If the Supreme Court, on application made under subsection (1) (d) in relation to property, is satisfied that the applicant is the person entitled to the property and that the respondent to the application is the appropriate person in relation to the property, the court may make an order directing the respondent—
	(a)	if the respondent is in possession of the property—to return the property to the applicant or pay to the applicant the sum the court considers reasonable in the circumstances; or
	(b)	in any other case—to pay to the applicant the sum the court considers reasonable in the circumstances.
	(3)	For this section, the appropriate person, in relation to property distributed under a probate or administration that has been revoked, is—
	(a)	if the person to whom the property was so distributed is alive—that person; or
	(b)	if the person to whom the property was so distributed is dead—the executor of the will or administrator of the will or estate of that person or a person who has benefited as a result of the property having been distributed to that person.
	(4)	This section does not affect any entitlement of an executor or administrator to commission, or to any protection, indemnity, reimbursement or right under any other section of this Act.
Division 3.3	Effect of grant of representation
38A	Estate to vest in public trustee until grant
On the death of a person, the real and personal property of the deceased person vests in the public trustee in the same way, and to the same extent, as the personal estate and effects of a deceased person formerly vested in the Ordinary in England.
39	Real and personal estate to vest in executor or administrator
On the grant of representation of the estate of any deceased person, all real and personal estate of which the person dies seised or possessed of, or entitled to, in the ACT, and that is unadministered at the date of the grant, passes to and becomes vested in the executor to whom probate has been granted or the administrator for all his or her estate and interest therein in the following way:
	(a)	on testacy in the executor or administrator with the will annexed;
	(b)	on intestacy in the administrator;
	(c)	on partial intestacy in the executor or administrator with the will annexed.
40	Real estate held in trust
All real estate held by any person in trust or by way of mortgage, and vesting under section 39, vests in his or her executor or administrator, subject to the trusts and equities affecting the estate.
41	Property of deceased to be assets
	(1)	The real, as well as the personal, estate of every deceased person are assets in the hands of his or her executor to whom probate has been granted, or his or her administrator, for the payment of all duties and fees, and for the payment of his or her debts in the ordinary course of administration.
	(2)	The executor or administrator for purposes of administration, may, subject to sections 50 and 51, sell that real estate, or mortgage it with or without a power of sale, and convey it to a purchaser or mortgagee in as full and effectual a way in law as the deceased person could have done in his or her lifetime.
41A	Property of deceased liable for debts
	(1)	The real and personal property of a person who dies on or after 1 January 1966, to the extent of his or her beneficial interest in it, and the real and personal property (if any) disposed of by the person’s will (whether made before or after the commencement of this section) in exercise of a general power, are assets for the payment of the funeral, testamentary and administrative expenses, the debts and the liabilities of the person.
	(2)	If a person—
	(a)	on whom a beneficial interest in any property referred to in subsection (1) devolves; or
	(b)	to whom such an interest is given; or
	(c)	in whom such an interest vests;
disposes of the interest or of a part of the interest in good faith before a proceeding is taken or process is sued out against him or her, the person is personally liable for the value of the interest or part so disposed of, but the interest or part is not liable to be taken in execution in the proceeding or under the process.
41B	Appointments by will under general power
	(1)	If a provision contained in the will of a person dying on or after 1 January 1966 operates as an appointment under a general power to appoint by will, the property, whether real or personal, that passes because of the provision vests in the executor or administrator as if the testator had been entitled to the property at his or her death, whether or not he or she was so entitled for an estate or interest determining on his or her death or for any other estate or interest.
	(2)	If a provision contained in the will of a person who died on or after 1 January 1911 and before 1 January 1966, operated as an appointment under a general power to appoint by will, the property, whether real or personal, that passed because of the provision is taken to have vested in the executor or administrator as if that property had been vested in the testator at the time of his or her death whether or not he or she was entitled to it for an estate or interest determining on his or her death or for any other estate or interest.
	(3)	Subsection (2) does not affect—
	(a)	a right or title that accrued before 1 January 1966 under a disposition by an appointee that, apart from that subsection, would be valid; or
	(b)	the operation of section 39.
41C	Administration of assets
	(1)	If the estate of a person who dies on or after 1 January 1966 is sufficient for the payment in full of all the expenses, debts and liabilities payable from the estate, the person’s real and personal property is, subject to the provisions of the person’s will (if any) and to any law in force in the ACT about charges on property, applicable in the order set out in schedule 4, part 4.1 for the payment of the expenses, debts and liabilities payable from the estate.
	(2)	If the estate of a person who dies on or after 1 January 1966 is insufficient for the payment in full of all the expenses, debts and liabilities payable from the estate, the person’s real and personal property must, subject to the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cwlth), be administered in accordance with the rules set out in schedule 4, part 4.2.
41D	Application of income of settled residuary estate
	(1)	If a person who dies on or after 1 January 1966 leaves a will containing a residuary gift because of which real or personal property is settled by way of succession, this section applies to and in relation to the income derived from that property.
	(2)	The income to which this section applies is not applicable in payment of—
	(a)	the funeral, testamentary or administrative expenses payable from the estate of the person; or
	(b)	the debts or liabilities of the person; or
	(c)	any interest that accrued on any such debts or liabilities before the death of the person; or
	(d)	any legacies bequeathed by the will of the person.
	(3)	The income to which this section applies is applicable in payment of the interest (if any) that accrues—
	(a)	on the funeral, testamentary or administrative expenses payable from the estate of the person; or
	(b)	after the death of the person, on the debts or liabilities of the person; or
	(c)	on any legacies bequeathed by the will of the person;
before payment, and the income is so applicable in priority to any other assets in the estate of the person.
	(4)	Subject to subsection (3), the income to which this section applies is payable to the person for the time being entitled to the income from the settled property.
	(5)	If, in the final adjustment of the estate of a deceased person among the persons entitled to share in the distribution of the estate—
	(a)	property (other than property referred to in subsection (1)) is treated as if it had been used in the proper order in payment of the funeral, testamentary and administrative expenses, the debts and the liabilities of the estate or of any legacies bequeathed by the will of the deceased person although it was not in fact so used; and
	(b)	income was earned by that property after the death of the person but before the property was so used or was treated as having been so used;
that income is, for this section, taken to be income to which this section applies.
	(6)	This section—
	(a)	does not affect the rights of a creditor of the estate; and 
	(b)	applies subject to the provisions of the will of the deceased person and of any law in force in the ACT in relation to charges on the property of a deceased person.
42	Real estate to be held on trusts of will
Subject to this part, the real estate of every deceased person devising that estate by will must be held by the executor to whom probate has been granted, or the administrator with the will annexed, according to the trusts and dispositions of the will.
43	Rights of executor in relation to real estate
The executor to whom probate has been granted has the same rights, and is subject to the same duties, in relation to the real estate of the testator, as executors had or were subject to in relation to personal assets under the law in force in New South Wales as in force immediately before 21 October 1929.

Division 3.4	Position of executor of an executor
Note	The provisions of this division were relocated from the Imperial Acts (Substituted Provisions) Act 1986, sch 2, pt 3 (for the effect of a relocation, see Legislation Act 2001, s 96).  The 1986 Act substituted provisions for certain UK Acts that applied (or may have applied) in the ACT and repealed those Acts.  The provisions of sch 2, pt 3 were substituted for 25 Edw. 3, St. 5, c 5 (1351). The 1986 Act, s 4 (1) provided, in effect, that the rules of law about the interpretation of consolidating Acts apply to the interpretation of the provisions of a law set out in sch 2.  These rules of law continue to apply to this division (see Legislation Act 2001, s 96 (3)).
43A	Executor of executor
If—
	(a)	probate of the will of a testator has been granted to a person (in this division called the original executor) as the sole executor, or as 1 of the executors, of the will of the testator; and
	(b)	the original executor was, immediately before his or her death, the sole, or the last surviving, executor of the will of the testator; and
	(c)	probate of the will of the original executor is granted to the executor, or 1 of the executors, (the succeeding executor) of the will of the original executor;
the succeeding executor becomes, on the grant of probate of the will of the original executor—
	(d)	the executor of the will of the testator; and
	(e)	the executor of the will of any other testator of whose will the testator was, immediately before his or her death, the executor under the application, or successive applications, of this section.
43B	When ceases to represent deceased
If, after a person has become the executor of the will of a testator under the application, or of successive applications, of section 43A, another person who was appointed an executor of the will of that testator is granted probate of that will, the firstmentioned person ceases, on the grant of that probate, to be the executor of the will of that testator.
43C	Rights and liabilities of executor of executor
While a person who has become the executor of the will of a testator under the application, or of successive applications, of section 43A, continues to be the executor of the will of the testator—
	(a)	the person has the same rights in relation to the estate of that testator as the original executor, or the original executors, would have if living; and
	(b)	the person is, to the extent to which the estate of the testator has come to his or her hands, answerable as if the person were the original executor, or 1 of the original executors of the will of the testator.

Part 3A	Intestacy
Division 3A.1	Preliminary
44	Interpretation for pt 3A
In this part:
eligible partner, of an intestate, means someone, other than the spouse of the intestate, who—
	(a)	was the intestate’s domestic partner when the intestate died; and
	(b)	either—
	(i)	had been the intestate’s domestic partner continuously for 2 or more years when the intestate died; or
	(ii)	is the parent of the intestate’s child, if the child was under 18 years old when the intestate died.
Note	For the meaning of domestic partner, see Legislation Act, s 169.
intestate means a person who dies on or after 1 July 1967 and either does not leave a will or leaves a will but does not dispose effectively, by the will, of the whole or part of his or her real or personal property.
intestate estate, in relation to an intestate, means—
	(a)	for an intestate who leaves a will—the real and personal property of the intestate that is not effectively disposed of by the will; or
	(b)	in any other case—the real and personal property of the intestate.
partner—an intestate’s partner is either of the following:
	(a)	the spouse of the intestate when the intestate died;
	(b)	the eligible partner of the intestate.
personal chattels, in relation to an intestate, means—
	(a)	the articles of household or personal use or adornment, plated articles, china, glassware, pictures, prints, linen, jewellery, clothing, books, musical instruments or apparatus, scientific instruments or apparatus, wines, liquors, consumable stores and domestic animals of the intestate; and
	(b)	the motor cars and accessories of the intestate;
but does not include—
	(c)	any chattels of the intestate used exclusively for business purposes; or
	(d)	money and securities for money of the intestate.
personal representative, in relation to an intestate, means the executor of the will, or the administrator of the estate, of the intestate.
Division 3A.2	Distribution on intestacy
44A	Whole blood or half-blood relationships
For this division, a relationship may be of the whole blood or the half-blood.
45	Executor or administrator to hold property of intestate on trust for persons entitled
The personal representative of an intestate holds, subject to his or her rights, powers and duties for the purposes of administration, the intestate estate on trust for the persons entitled to it in accordance with this division.
45A	Distribution between spouse and eligible partner
	(1)	If an intestate is survived by both a spouse and an eligible partner, the entitlement of each to the partnership share of the intestate estate must be worked out as follows:
	(a)	if the eligible partner and the intestate had been domestic partners continuously for less than 5 years when the intestate died—the partnership share of the intestate estate must be distributed equally between the spouse and the eligible partner;
	(b)	if the eligible partner and the intestate had been domestic partners continuously for 5 years or more when the intestate died—the eligible partner is exclusively entitled to the partnership share.
	(2)	In this section:
partnership share, in relation to an intestate, means the share of the estate to which the intestate’s partner is entitled under this division.
46	Provisions relating to persons who at date of death of intestate are children
	(1)	If a person who is entitled, under this division, to the whole of, or a share in, an intestate estate is not, at the date of death of the intestate, 18 years old and is not married, the person is entitled to take the intestate estate, or the share in the intestate estate, beneficially, on reaching 18 or marrying before that age.
	(2)	If a person to whom subsection (1) applies dies before reaching 18 years old and without having married, this division applies in relation to the intestate estate as if the person had died before the intestate.
	(3)	This section does not affect the operation of any law in force in the ACT authorising expenditure for the maintenance, advancement or benefit of a person under 18 years old out of property held on trust for, or for the benefit of, the person and, if property forming part of the intestate estate is expended for the maintenance, advancement or benefit of the person and that person dies before reaching that age and without having married, the intestate estate is, for this division, taken to have been reduced by the amount so expended.
48	Estate by courtesy or right of dower not to arise
An estate by courtesy or right of dower or an equivalent estate does not arise out of the real property in relation to which a person dies intestate.
49	Distribution of intestate estate
	(1)	The person or persons entitled to take an interest in an intestate estate, and the interest in that estate that that person or those persons are entitled to take must, subject to this division, be ascertained by reference to schedule 6 according to the facts and circumstances existing in relation to the intestate.
	(2)	If an intestate is survived by his or her partner, the intestate estate is taken, for schedule 6 and subsection (3), not to include any personal chattels of the intestate.
	(3)	For schedule 6, the value of an intestate estate must be ascertained by deducting from the gross value of that intestate estate an amount equal to such of the debts and liabilities of the estate, the funeral and testamentary expenses, the costs and expenses of administering the estate and the estate duties, probate duties and death duties payable in relation to the estate as are payable out of that intestate estate.
	(4)	If an item of schedule 6 provides for the payment of a sum and interest on that sum out of an intestate estate and then provides for the payment of an additional sum equal to a particular proportion of the value of the balance of the intestate estate, the value of the balance of the intestate estate must be ascertained for that item by ascertaining the value of the intestate estate in the way provided by subsection (3) and deducting from that value the firstmentioned sum and the interest payable on that sum.
	(5)	For schedule 6—
	(a)	the brothers and sisters of an intestate; and
	(b)	the grandparents of an intestate; and
	(c)	the brothers and sisters of a parent of an intestate; and
	(d)	the issue of any of those brothers or sisters who predeceased the intestate;
are the next of kin of the intestate.
49A	Interest of partner on intestacy in personal chattels
If an intestate is survived by his or her partner, the partner is entitled to take, absolutely, any personal chattels of the intestate that are not effectively disposed of by the will (if any) of the intestate.
49AA	Immovable property if intestate domiciled elsewhere
	(1)	If—
	(a)	an intestate was, at the time of death, domiciled in the ACT; and
	(b)	immovable property situated in a place outside the ACT forms part of the intestate estate; and
	(c)	the intestate is survived both by a partner and by issue; and 
	(d)	the partner is, under a law of that place, entitled to part or all of that property, or to a sum of money calculated by reference to the value of part or all of that property;
the property or part of the property, or the sum of money, to which, under that law, the partner is entitled, is taken to form part of the intestate estate for section 49 (3).
	(2)	Subject to subsection (4), if—
	(a)	an intestate was, at the time of death, domiciled outside the ACT; and
	(b)	the intestate is survived both by a partner and by issue; and
	(c)	immovable property situated in the ACT forms part of the intestate estate; and 
	(d)	the partner is, under a law of a place outside the ACT, entitled to all or part of any other property (other than personal chattels) that forms part of the intestate estate, or to a sum of money calculated by reference to the value of all or part of that other property;
the property or part of the property, or the sum of money, to which, under that law, the partner is entitled, is taken to form part of the intestate estate for section 49 (3).
	(3)	If property or a sum of money is, under subsection (1) or (2), taken to form part of the intestate estate of an intestate, schedule 6, part 6.1, item 2 applies as if the references in that item to $200 000 were references to the sum ascertained by deducting from $200 000 an amount equal to the value of that property, or to that sum of money.
	(4)	Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to an intestate estate if the partner’s share in that part of the estate that devolves in accordance with the law of the place where the intestate was domiciled would, under that law, be reduced by an amount calculated by reference to the value of part or all of the immovable property referred to in subsection (2) (c).
49B	How distribution to issue is made
	(1)	If an intestate is survived by issue who are entitled to the whole or a part of the intestate estate—
	(a)	if only 1 child of the intestate survives the intestate—that person is entitled to the whole, or that part, of the intestate estate; or
	(b)	if the intestate is survived by the issue of his or her child or 1 of his or her children but by no other issue—those issue are entitled to the whole, or that part, of the intestate estate through all degrees according to their stocks, and, if there are more than 1 issue, in equal shares; or
	(c)	in any other case—the whole or that part of the intestate estate must be divided into a number of parts ascertained in accordance with subsection (2) and—
	(i)	any child of the intestate who survived the intestate is entitled to 1 of those parts; and
	(ii)	the issue of any child of the intestate who died before the intestate leaving issue who survived the intestate are entitled to 1 of those parts through all degrees, according to their stocks, and, if there are more than 1 issue, in equal shares.
	(2)	The number of parts for subsection (1) (c) is a number equal to the sum of—
	(a)	a number equal to the number of children (if any) of the intestate who survived the intestate; and
	(b)	a number equal to the number of children (if any) of the intestate who died before the intestate leaving a child or remoter issue who survived the intestate.
49BA	Gifts made before death of intestate
	(1)	If—
	(a)	an intestate has, within the period of 5 years immediately before death, given any money or property to or for the benefit of a person who is, under this division, entitled to a share in the intestate estate, or to or for the benefit of an unentitled partner of such a person; and
	(b)	the intestate estate, or a part of the intestate estate, is divisible between that person, or the issue of that person, and another person or persons entitled under this division to a share in the intestate estate;
the money or property is taken to have been given in or towards satisfaction of the share that the person will become entitled to take, or would have become entitled to take if he or she had survived the intestate in the intestate estate or the part of the intestate estate unless—
	(c)	the contrary intention appears from the circumstances of the particular case; or
	(d)	the value, as at the date of death of the intestate, ascertained in accordance with the requirements of the personal representative of the intestate, of all the money or property or of so much of the money or property in relation to which such a contrary intention did not appear, does not exceed $10 000.
	(2)	If, under subsection (1), any money or property is taken to have been given in or towards satisfaction of the share of a person referred to in subsection (1), the money or property must be brought into account at a valuation, as at the date of death of the intestate, in accordance with the requirements of the personal representative of the intestate, in calculating the share that the person or the person’s issue is, under this division, entitled to take in the intestate estate or a part of the intestate estate.
	(3)	This section does not apply in relation to money or property given to or for the benefit of the intestate’s partner.
	(4)	If an intestate has made a gift to which this section applies, the unentitled partner of a person entitled to a share in the intestate’s estate is, for subsection (1), someone who—
	(a)	is not entitled to a share in the intestate’s estate; and
	(b)	was the domestic partner of the entitled person at the time of the gift; and
	(c)	either—
	(i)	was the entitled person’s spouse at that time; or
	(ii)	had been the entitled person’s domestic partner continuously for 2 or more years at that time; or
	(iii)	was at that time the parent of a child of the entitled person, if the child was less than 18 years old at that time.
Note	For the meaning of domestic partner, see Legislation Act, s 169.
	(5)	In this section:
given, in relation to money or property, means money or property paid, transferred, assigned or settled (otherwise than for valuable consideration).
49C	How distribution to next of kin is made
	(1)	If, under this Act, the next of kin of an intestate are entitled to the intestate estate, the persons entitled to that intestate estate must be ascertained as follows:
	(a)	the brothers and sisters of the intestate who survived the intestate, and the issue of a brother or sister of the intestate who died before the intestate, being issue who survived the intestate, are entitled to the intestate estate;
	(b)	if the intestate is not survived by any persons entitled to the intestate estate under paragraph (a) but is survived by 1 or more grandparents—the grandparent is entitled to the intestate estate or the grandparents are entitled to the intestate estate in equal shares;
	(c)	if the intestate is not survived by any persons entitled to the intestate estate under paragraph (a) or (b)—the uncles and aunts of the intestate who survived the intestate and the issue of such an uncle or aunt who died before the intestate, being issue who survived the intestate, are entitled to the intestate estate.
	(2)	An intestate estate must be divided among the brothers and sisters or the uncles and aunts of the intestate, and the issue of those brothers or sisters, or uncles or aunts, who died before the intestate, in the same way as the intestate estate would have been divided among those persons if the brothers and sisters or the uncles and aunts had been children of the intestate and the issue of a brother, sister, uncle or aunt who died before the intestate had been issue of a child of the intestate who died before the intestate.
49CA	How distribution to the Territory is made
If, under this Act, the Territory is entitled to an intestate estate, the public trustee—
	(a)	must hold the intestate estate on trust for the Territory; and 
	(b)	at the end of 6 years from the date of death of the intestate—
	(i)	in relation to so much of the estate as is not money—must sell the estate and, after deducting from the proceeds of the sale all costs and charges lawfully due to the public trustee or any other person, pay the balance of the proceeds to the Territory; or
	(ii)	in relation to so much of the estate as is money—must, after deducting all costs and charges lawfully due to the public trustee or any other person, pay the balance of the money to the Territory.
49D	Partial intestacies
	(1)	If the partner of an intestate acquires a beneficial interest under the will of the intestate in the real or personal property of the intestate (other than in the personal chattels of the intestate), schedule 6 applies only to the extent it is expressed to apply under this section but the person or persons entitled to take an interest in the intestate estate, and the interest in that estate that that person or those persons are entitled to take, must be ascertained in accordance with this section according to the facts and circumstances existing in relation to the intestate.
	(2)	If an intestate is survived by his or her partner but not by issue, the partner is entitled to the whole of the intestate estate.
	(3)	If the intestate is survived by his or her partner and by issue—
	(a)	if the value of the beneficial interest that is acquired by the partner under the will does not exceed $200 000—schedule 6, part 6.1, item 2 applies as if the references to the sum of $200 000 were read as references to the sum ascertained by deducting from $200 000 the value of that beneficial interest; or
	(b)	if the value of the beneficial interest that is acquired by the partner under the will exceeds $200 000—
	(i)	the partner is entitled to be paid out of the intestate estate a sum equal to, if 1 child or the issue of 1 child of the intestate but no other issue of the intestate survives the intestate, 1/2 of the value of the intestate estate or, in any other case, 1/3 of the value of the intestate estate; and
	(ii)	the issue of the intestate are entitled to the balance of the intestate estate after payment to the partner of the sum to which the partner is entitled under subparagraph (i).
	(4)	Section 49 (3) applies for subsection (3) in the same way as it applies for schedule 6.
	(5)	If a child of an intestate who is entitled to take an interest in the intestate estate also acquires an interest under the will of the intestate in the real or personal property of the intestate, the interest to which the child is entitled under the will must be brought into account, at a valuation, as at the date of death of the intestate, in accordance with the requirements of the personal representative of the intestate, in calculating the interest that the child is entitled to take under this division in the intestate estate.
	(6)	For this section, a beneficial interest in real or personal property acquired because of the exercise, by will, of a general power of appointment, is taken to be an interest acquired under that will.
49E	Presumptions of parentage
For the application of this division and schedule 6 in relation to an intestate, a presumption of parentage arising under the Parentage Act 2004, section 9 in relation to a person is taken to operate only if the presumption arose before the intestate died.
Division 3A.3	Rights of partners to intestate dwelling houses 
49F	Definitions for div 3A.3
In this division:
dwelling house includes—
	(a)	a garden or portion of ground attached to, and usually occupied with, a dwelling house, or otherwise required for the amenity or convenience of a dwelling house; and
	(b)	a part of a building occupied as a separate dwelling.
representation, in relation to an intestate, means probate of the will, or administration (including administration with the will of the intestate annexed) of the estate, of the intestate.
49G	Claim by partner to dwelling house
	(1)	Subject to this division, if the intestate estate of an intestate who is survived by a partner comprises or includes an interest in a dwelling house where the partner was residing at the date of the intestate’s death, the partner may elect to have that interest appropriated under the Trustee Act 1925, section 46 in or towards the satisfaction of any interest of the partner in the real and personal property of the intestate.
	(2)	An election under this section may be exercised within a period of 1 year after the date representation in the estate of the intestate is granted by the Supreme Court or within any extended period the court allows.
	(3)	If—
	(a)	probate of a will of the intestate has been revoked on the ground that the will was invalid; or
	(b)	a question whether a person had an interest in the estate of the intestate, or a question about the nature of an interest claimed in the estate of the intestate, had not been determined at the time when administration of the estate was granted or first granted; or
	(c)	the Supreme Court, for any other reason affecting the administration or distribution of the estate, considers it proper to do so;
the court may extend the period specified in subsection (2).
	(4)	An election by a partner must be given in writing—
	(a)	if the partner is not a personal representative of the intestate—to the personal representative, or to each personal representative, of the intestate; or
	(b)	if the partner is 1 of the personal representatives of the intestate—to the other personal representative, or to each other personal representative, of the intestate; or
	(c)	if the partner is the sole personal representative of the intestate—to the registrar.
	(5)	An election is not revocable except with the consent of the personal representative or of each personal representative of the intestate.
	(6)	A partner may require the personal representative of the intestate to have the interest in the dwelling house valued, and to inform the partner of the result of that valuation, before deciding whether to exercise the right given by this division.
49H	Valuation
For this division, the value of the interest of an intestate in a dwelling house is the amount determined by a qualified valuer engaged by the personal representatives of the intestate to be the market value of the interest.
49J	Right not exercisable for certain tenancies
The right given by this division is not exercisable if the interest of the intestate in the dwelling house is a tenancy—
	(a)	that will determine within a period of 2 years after the date of death of the intestate; or
	(b)	that the landlord is, by notice given after the date of death of the intestate, entitled to determine before the end of that period.
49K	Right not exercisable in certain other cases
If—
	(a)	a dwelling house forms part of a building and an interest in the whole of the building is comprised in an intestate estate; or 
	(b)	a dwelling house is held with agricultural land and an interest in the agricultural land is comprised in an intestate estate; or 
	(c)	the whole or a part of a dwelling house was, at the date of an intestate’s death, used as a hotel or boarding house; or
	(d)	a part of a dwelling house was, at the date of an intestate’s death, used for purposes other than domestic purposes;
the right given by this division to a partner of the intestate in relation to the dwelling house is not exercisable by the partner unless the Supreme Court so orders, being satisfied that the exercise of that right is not likely to—
	(e)	diminish the value of the assets (other than the interest in the dwelling house) in the intestate estate; or
	(f)	make those assets more difficult to dispose of.
49L	Personal representative not to sell or dispose of interest without consent
	(1)	A personal representative of an intestate is not authorised to sell or otherwise dispose of the interest of the intestate in a dwelling house in which a partner of the intestate was residing at the date of the intestate’s death, during the period of 1 year after the date representation in the estate of the intestate is granted by the Supreme Court or, if that period is extended by the court, during that extended period without the written consent of the partner, except in the course of administration owing to want of other assets or except with the approval of the court.
	(2)	If on an application under section 49K made by a partner or by the personal representatives of the intestate, the Supreme Court does not order that the right given by section 49G may be exercised by the partner, the court may approve the disposal of the interest in the dwelling house within the period of 1 year referred to in subsection (1).
	(3)	This section does not apply if the partner of the intestate is the sole personal representative, or 1 of 2 or more personal representatives, of the intestate.
	(4)	Nothing in this section is taken to affect the validity of a sale by the personal representatives of an intestate of any part of the estate of the intestate.
49M	Rule that trustee not to purchase trust property
If a partner of an intestate is the sole personal representative of the intestate or 1 of 2 or more personal representatives of the intestate, the partner may, even though he or she is a trustee, acquire under this division the interest of the intestate in the dwelling house in which the partner was residing at the date of the intestate’s death.
49N	If surviving partner is under legal disability
	(1)	If a partner of an intestate is a person of unsound mind, a requirement or consent under this division may be made or given on the partner’s behalf by his or her committee (if any) or, if there is no committee, by the Supreme Court.
	(2)	A requirement or consent made or given under this division by a surviving partner who is a child is as valid as it would be if he or she were at least 18 years old.

Part 3B	Simultaneous deaths
    
49P	Simultaneous deaths—devolution of property generally
	(1)	This section applies if—
	(a)	a person who has died (the beneficiary) would, if the person had not died, have been entitled, under a will or on an intestacy, to an interest in the estate of someone else who has died (the benefactor); and
	(b)	the beneficiary and the benefactor died at the same time or in an order that is uncertain.
	(2)	The property of the benefactor devolves as if the benefactor had survived the beneficiary and had died immediately after the beneficiary.
49Q	Simultaneous deaths—devolution of jointly owned property
	(1)	This section applies to property—
	(a)	that was owned jointly and exclusively by 2 or more people who died at the same time or in an order that is uncertain; and 
	(b)	that was not held by them as trustees.
	(2)	The property devolves as if the joint owners had, at the time of their deaths, held the property as tenants in common in equal shares.

Part 3C	Functions of executors and administrators 
50	Powers of executors and administrators to sell, mortgage or lease real estate
	(1)	Subject to this section, an executor or an administrator may, without the consent of any person or the order of a court—
	(a)	sell or mortgage the real estate of the deceased person for purposes of administration; or
	(b)	sell the real estate of the deceased person in relation to which he or she died intestate, for purposes of distribution or division among the persons entitled; or
	(c)	lease the real estate of the deceased person in possession for any term not exceeding 3 years; or
	(d)	raise, on the security of the whole or any part of the intestate estate of the deceased person, any sum required by the executors or administrators for the purpose of paying to a partner of the person the share, or a part of the share, of the partner in the intestate estate of the person.
	(2)	Any conditions may be imposed on the exercise of the power of sale, mortgage, lease or raising of any sum by an administrator, and either generally or for a particular sale, mortgage, lease or raising of any sum, by rules of court, or by the Supreme Court in the grant of administration (if any), or by other order.
	(3)	A condition imposed, before 1 January 1966, on the exercise by an executor of a power given by this section must not operate on or after that date.
	(4)	The registrar must write on letters of administration issued by him or her, and on any copy of the letters of administration, a certified copy of any conditions imposed by the Supreme Court under subsection (2).
	(5)	A purchaser, mortgagee, lessee or other person who for valuable consideration acquires an interest in the estate of the deceased person, or the registrar-general or other person registering title under any sale, mortgage or lease under this section, is not bound to inquire whether the powers mentioned in subsection (1) or any of them are being or have been exercised for the purposes specified in that subsection, and the receipt of the executor or administrator is a sufficient discharge, and exonerates the persons paying the money from any responsibility for the application of the money expressed to have been so received.
	(6)	Some or 1 only of several executors or administrators may exercise those powers with the leave of the Supreme Court, and not otherwise, and the court may make any orders it considers appropriate for the purpose of carrying out any such sale, mortgage, lease or raising of any sum.
	(7)	In this section:
intestate—see section 44.
intestate estate—see section 44.
partner, in relation to an intestate—see section 44.
51	Supreme Court may make special order
The Supreme Court may, if administration has been granted, on the application of the administrator, or for partial intestacy the executor or administrator with the will annexed, or of any person beneficially interested, and after the notice to the other parties and inquiry the court considers appropriate, order and direct the course of proceedings which must be taken in regard to—
	(a)	the time and method of sale of any real estate; and
	(b)	the letting and management of any real estate until sale; and
	(c)	the application for maintenance or advancement or otherwise of shares or income of shares of children; and
	(d)	the expediency and mode of effecting a partition, if applied for; 
and generally in regard to the administration of the real estate for the greatest advantage of all persons interested.
51A	Supreme Court may authorise postponement of realisation and carrying on of business
	(1)	The Supreme Court may, if it considers it beneficial so to do and subject to the conditions it considers appropriate to impose, authorise an executor or administrator—
	(a)	to postpone, for the period the court considers appropriate, the realisation of the real or personal estate of a deceased person, or any part of that estate; or
	(b)	to carry on, for the period or periods that the court from time to time considers appropriate, the business, trade or occupation of the deceased person, and for that purpose to use the estate or part of it.
	(2)	An order under this section may be made either ex parte or on the notice the Supreme Court considers proper, and may be varied from time to time as the court considers appropriate.
52	Supreme Court may order partition in summary way 
	(1)	If, on any such inquiry, the Supreme Court is satisfied that a partition of the real estate, or any part of it, will be advantageous to the parties interested, the court may appoint 1 or more arbitrators to effect the partition.
	(2)	The report and final award of the arbitrators setting out particulars of the land allotted to each party interested is, when signed by them and confirmed by the order of the Supreme Court, and registered in the office of the registrar-general, effective without the necessity of any further conveyance to vest in each party the land allotted to the party, and an office copy of the award so signed, confirmed, and registered, is for all purposes equivalent to an indenture of conveyance to each party of the land allotted to the party.
	(3)	For land subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) or the Land Titles Act 1925, each party is entitled to the issue of a certificate of title for the land allotted to the party.
	(4)	If the allotment is made subject to the charge of any money payable to any other party interested for equalising the partition, the charge taken effect according to the terms and conditions in regard to time and method and otherwise that are expressed in the award without the necessity of any further instrument being made or executed.
	(5)	For land subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) or the Land Titles Act 1925, the certificate of title must issue, subject to the charge, unless the charge is satisfied.
53	Personal representative not required to continue to act against own consent
A personal representative must not be required against his or her consent to continue the duty of a trustee by managing the property during an enforced suspension of sale, but is entitled, on that suspension being ordered, to relinquish his or her trust to the person the Supreme Court appoints.
54	In suits executor or administrator to represent real estate
In all suits concerning the real estate of a deceased person, the executor to whom probate has been granted or administrator represents the real estate so long as it remains vested in the executor or administrator, and the persons interested, in the same way and to the same extent as, in suits concerning personal estate, the executor or administrator represents the estate and the persons interested.
55	All debts to stand in equal degree
	(1)	In the administration of the estate of a deceased person, all the creditors of every description of that person must, despite anything to the contrary contained in any law, be treated as standing in equal degree and be paid accordingly out of the assets of the deceased person.
	(2)	In the administration of the estate of a deceased person in relation to which representation is granted under this Act, no debt or liability of that person is entitled to any priority or preference only because it is due to an executor or administrator of the estate.
	(3)	This Act does not prejudice or affect any mortgage, lien charge, or other security that any creditor may hold or be entitled to for payment of a debt.
	(4)	Nothing in this Act affects the provisions of any law protecting life assurance or other policies against creditors.
55A	Interest on legacies
	(1)	Subject to subsection (2), if interest is payable on a legacy in accordance with the will under which the legacy is payable or in accordance with any enactment or rule of law, that interest is, unless the will otherwise provides, or the Supreme Court otherwise orders, payable at the rate determined by the Minister.
	(2)	If an executor or administrator, in accordance with any power given to him or her by a will under which a legacy (other than an annuity) is payable, appropriates any property in or towards satisfaction of the legacy, the legatee is entitled to the income from the property so appropriated, and interest is not payable out of any other part of the estate on so much of the legacy as has been satisfied by the appropriation.
	(3)	A determination under subsection (1) is a disallowable instrument.
Note	A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act 2001.
56	Executor may sign acknowledgment instead of conveyance
	(1)	If any real estate not under the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) or the Land Titles Act 1925 is devised to any person by a will duly proved under this Act, the executor of the will or the administrator with the will annexed may, as the executor or administrator, instead of executing a conveyance to that person, sign an acknowledgment that the devisee is entitled to that real estate for the estate for which it is devised to him or her.
	(2)	The acknowledgment may be registered under the law in force regulating the registration of deeds, and on registration of the acknowledgment the real estate vests in the devisee for the estate for which it is devised to him or her in the same way, and subject to the same trusts and liabilities, as if the executor or administrator had executed a conveyance of the acknowledgment.
57	Summary application for legacy etc
If the executor or administrator, after written request, neglects or refuses to—
	(a)	sign that acknowledgment; or
	(b)	execute a conveyance of land devised to the devisee; or
	(c)	pay or hand over to the person entitled any legacy or residuary bequest;
the devisee or person may apply to the Supreme Court, calling on the executor or administrator to show cause why he or she should not comply with the request, and the court may make any order in the matter it considers appropriate.
58	Examination and passing of accounts etc
	(1)	The rules may require—
	(a)	the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person to file an inventory of the estate; and
	(b)	accounts of the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person to be examined and passed.
	(2)	The Supreme Court may, by order, require—
	(a)	the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person to file an inventory of the estate; and
	(b)	accounts of the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person to be examined and passed.
	(3)	An order of the Supreme Court passing an account of the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person—
	(a)	is evidence of its correctness; and 
	(b)	operates, after the end of 3 years after the date of the order, to release the executor or administrator.
	(4)	However, subsection (3) (b) does not apply to an account as far as someone interested in the estate shows that an error or omission or fraudulent entry has been made in the account.
61	Supreme Court may make order about disposal of money in hands of executor etc
	(1)	The Supreme Court may make any order it considers appropriate in relation to the distribution or application of any money that the executor or administrator has in hand, or about the residue of the estate.
	(2)	No final order for distribution may made except on notice to all the parties entitled.
62	Payments under revoked probates or administrations valid
The executor or administrator who has acted under any revoked probate or administration may keep and reimburse himself or herself, or be entitled to be reimbursed for, an amount equal to the amount of any payments made by him or her that the person to whom probate or administration is afterwards, or was originally, granted might have lawfully made.
63	Persons etc making payments on probate granted for estate of deceased person to be indemnified
All persons making or permitting to be made any payment or transfer, in good faith, on any probate or administration or order granted in relation to the estate of any deceased person under this Act must be indemnified and protected in so doing, despite any defect or circumstance of any kind affecting the validity of the probate or administration or order not then known to those persons.
64	Distribution of assets
	(1)	If an executor or administrator has given such or the like notices as, in the opinion of the Supreme Court in which the executor or administrator is sought to be charged, would have been given by the court in an administration suit, for creditors and others to send in to the executor or administrator their claims against the estate of the testator or intestate, the executor or administrator may, at the end of the time stated in the notices, or the last of the notices, for sending in those claims, distribute the assets of the testator or intestate, or any part of the assets, among the persons entitled, having regard to the claims of which the executor or administrator has then notice.
	(2)	An executor or administrator must not distribute the assets of the testator or intestate, or any part of them, unless he or she has—
	(a)	applied under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997 for a search of the register for information about the parents or any children—
	(i)	of the deceased person; or
	(ii)	of any other person known by the executor or administrator to be relevant to the distribution of the assets; and
	(b)	taken into account any relevant information, documents or certified copies of, or extracts from, documents obtained from the registrar‑general as a result of the search.
	(3)	If an executor or administrator has complied with subsection (2), the executor or administrator is not liable for the assets or any part of the assets so distributed to any person of whose claim he or she has not had notice at the time of the distribution.
65	Claims barred against executor or administrator in certain cases
	(1)	If an executor or administrator has given notices under section 64 and a claim against the estate is sent to him or her, the executor or administrator may serve a notice on the claimant calling the claimant to take proceedings to enforce the claim within a period of 6 months, and to duly prosecute the claim.
	(2)	If, after that period of 6 months has ended, that person does not satisfy the Supreme Court that he or she is duly prosecuting the claim, the court may, on application by the executor or administrator, make an order barring the claim against the executor or administrator, subject to any conditions that appear just, or make any other order the court considers appropriate.
66	Distribution of estate by executors and administrators
	(1)	If an executor or administrator liable as such, under any lease or agreement for a lease granted or assigned to, or made and entered into with, the testator or intestate whose estate is being administered, to the rents, covenants, or agreements contained in the lease or agreement has—
	(a)	satisfied all liabilities under the lease, or agreement for a lease, as have accrued due and been claimed up to the assignment mentioned in paragraph (c); and
	(b)	set apart a sufficient sum to answer any future claim that may be made in relation to any fixed and ascertained sum, covenanted or agreed by the lessee, to be laid out on the property demised, or agreed to be demised, although the period for laying out the sum may not have arrived; and
	(c)	assigned the lease, or agreement for a lease, to a purchaser, or to a legatee, devisee, or other person entitled to call for a conveyance of it; 
the executor or administrator may distribute the estate of the testator or intestate remaining in his or her hands among the parties entitled respectively, without appropriating any part or any further part of it to meet any future liability under the lease or agreement.
	(2)	An executor or administrator so distributing the estate is not, after having made or executed that assignment, and having, if necessary, set apart that sufficient fund, personally liable in relation to any subsequent claim under any such lease, or agreement for a lease.
	(3)	In this section:
assignment includes an acknowledgment within the meaning of section 56.
lease includes an underlease.
67	Right to follow assets
Nothing in section 64, 65 or 66 prejudices the right of any creditor or claimant or lessor, or those claiming under any lessor, to follow the assets or estate, or any part of the assets or estate, into the hands of the persons, or any of them, among whom they may have been distributed, or who may have received them.
68	Executors may compound etc
An executor or administrator may—
	(a)	pay any debts or claims on any evidence that he or she considers sufficient; or
	(b)	accept any composition, or any security, real or personal, for any debts due to the deceased person; or
	(c)	allow any time for the payment of any such debts as he or she considers appropriate; or
	(d)	compromise, compound, or submit to arbitration, all debts, accounts, claims, and things whatsoever relating to the estate of the deceased person; and
	(e)	for any of the purposes mentioned in this section, enter into, give, and execute any agreements, instruments of composition, releases, and other things he or she considers expedient, without being responsible for any loss occasioned thereby.
69	Every executor etc taken to be resident in ACT
Every executor or administrator—
	(a)	named in any probate or letters of administration granted by any court of competent jurisdiction in any part of a Commonwealth country and making application under this Act for the sealing of the probate or administration; or
	(b)	appointed under this Act;
is taken to be resident in the ACT.
70	Executors etc may be allowed commission
The Supreme Court may allow out of the assets of a deceased person to the person’s executor, administrator or trustee the commission or percentage for his or her services that is just.

Part 3D	Liability of certain persons in relation to deceased estates
Note	The provisions of this part were relocated from the Imperial Acts (Substituted Provisions) Act 1986, sch 2 (for the effect of a relocation, see Legislation Act 2001, s 96).  The 1986 Act substituted provisions for certain UK Acts that applied (or may have applied) in the ACT and repealed those Acts. The 1986 Act, s 4 (1) provided, in effect, that the rules of law about the interpretation of consolidating Acts apply to the interpretation of the provisions of a law set out in schedule 2.  These rules of law continue to apply to this part (see Legislation Act 2001, s 96 (3)).
74A	Fraudulently obtaining or keeping property
A person—
	(a)	who—
	(i)	by obtaining, receiving or holding any real or personal property forming part of the estate of a deceased person; or
	(ii)	by effecting the release of a debt or liability due to the estate of a deceased person;
defrauds any creditor of the estate of the deceased person; or
	(b)	who, without full valuable consideration—
	(i)	obtains, receives or holds any real or personal property forming part of the estate of a deceased person; or
	(ii)	effects the release of a debt or liability due to the estate of a deceased person;
is liable and chargeable as an executor in his or her own wrong to the extent of the real and personal property forming part of the estate of the deceased person that the person receives, or that comes into his or her hands, less—
	(c)	the amount of any debt incurred for valuable consideration and without fraud that was due to the person from the deceased person at the time of his or her death; and
the amount of any payment made by the person that might have been properly made by the personal representative of the deceased person.
Note	The provisions of this section were substituted for 43 Eliz. 1 c 8 (1601).
74B	Persons liable for waste of deceased estate
If a person (the relevant person) has, as the personal representative of a deceased person or as the executor in his or her own wrong of the will of a deceased person, wasted or converted to his or her own use any part of the estate of the deceased person, then, on the death of the relevant person, the personal representative of the relevant person is, to the extent of the available assets of the relevant person, liable and chargeable in relation to that waste or conversion in the same way as the relevant person would have been if the relevant person has not died.
Note	The provisions of this section were substituted for 30 Chas. 2 c 7 (1678) and 4 Will. and Mary c 24, s 12 (1692).

Part 5	Recognition of foreign grants
79A	Orders to collect and administer estates for pt 5
For this part, a reference to an order to collect and administer an estate includes a reference to an exemplification of an order to collect and administer.
79B	Inclusion of orders to collect and Scottish confirmation
For this part, a reference to probate or administration includes a reference to—
	(a)	an order to a curator or someone else to collect and administer an estate; and
	(b)	a confirmation of the executor or someone else granted in a sheriff court in Scotland.
80	Reseal of grant made in reciprocating jurisdiction
	(1)	This section applies if a court of competent jurisdiction in a reciprocating jurisdiction has granted probate of a will, administration of an estate or an order to collect and administer an estate.
	(2)	On application by a relevant person, the Supreme Court may order that the probate, administration or order be sealed with the seal of the court.
	(3)	For subsection (2), each of the following is a relevant person:
	(a)	for a probate of a will—
	(i)	the executor to whom the probate was granted; or
	(ii)	a person authorised by the executor, under a power of attorney, to make the application; or
	(iii)	the executor, by representation, of the will;
	(b)	for administration of an estate—
	(i)	the administrator to whom the administration was granted; or
	(ii)	the person authorised by the administrator, under a power of attorney, to make the application;
	(c)	for an order to collect and administer an estate—a public trustee in the reciprocating jurisdiction to whom the order was granted.
	(4)	In this section:
reciprocating jurisdiction means—
	(a)	a State; or
	(b)	a Commonwealth country; or
	(c)	a country, or part of a country, prescribed by regulation.
80B	Supreme Court may require security
The Supreme Court may, before or after sealing a probate, administration or order to collect and administer an estate under section 80 (Reseal of grant made in reciprocating jurisdiction), require the applicant to give security for the proper administration of the estate to which it relates.
80C	Effect of sealing
	(1)	If a probate or administration is sealed under section 80 (Reseal of grant made in reciprocating jurisdiction)—
	(a)	the probate or administration has the same effect as if it had been originally granted by the Supreme Court; and
	(b)	the person who applied under section 80 must exercise the same functions, and is subject to the same liabilities, as if the person had been originally granted the probate or administration by the court.
	(2)	If an order to collect and administer an estate is sealed under section 80, the person who applied under that section has the same functions, and is subject to the same liabilities, as if the person was the public trustee and the order was an order to collect and administer the estate granted to the public trustee under section 88.

Part 6	Public trustee
87B	Estates valued at $30 000 or less
	(1)	The public trustee may administer the estate of a deceased person if satisfied that—
	(a)	the net value of the estate is not more than $30 000; and
	(b)	application has not been made for a grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of the deceased person.
	(2)	For subsection (1), the public trustee may do any of the following:
	(a)	call in the estate; 
	(b)	sell and convert into money the part of the estate that does not consist of money; 
	(c)	pay any of the deceased person’s debts and liabilities;
	(d)	deal with the balance (if any) of the estate as if probate of the will or administration of the estate had been granted by the Supreme Court.
	(3)	If any money remains after the estate is administered in accordance with subsection (2), the public trustee must deal with the money as follows:
	(a)	if the public trustee is of the opinion that the person died testate—as if probate of the last will of the person had been granted to the public trustee by the Supreme Court;
	(b)	in any other case—as if administration of the estate had been granted to the public trustee by the Supreme Court.
	(4)	The public trustee must not administer an estate under this section unless notice of intention to do so has been given by advertisement or otherwise, in the way and form the public trustee considers appropriate.
	(5)	If the public trustee holds or acquires the will of a deceased person whose estate is being, or has been, administered under this section, the public trustee must file the will in the Supreme Court.
87C	Estates valued at $150 000 or less
	(1)	The public trustee may file in the Supreme Court an election, signed by the public trustee, to administer the estate of a deceased person if—
	(a)	the person left property in the ACT; and
	(b)	the gross value of that property does not, in the opinion of the public trustee, exceed $150 000; and
	(c)	probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of the person has not been granted by the Supreme Court to any person; and
	(d)	the public trustee is entitled under section 88 to apply for an order to collect and administer the estate of the person.
	(2)	An election under subsection (1) in relation to the estate of a deceased person must contain—
	(a)	particulars of the name of the deceased person; and
	(b)	the particulars of the place of residence, and the occupation, of the deceased person at the time of death that are known to the public trustee; and
	(c)	the particulars of the date of death, and the property forming part of the estate, of the deceased person that are known to the public trustee.
	(3)	If, in the opinion of the public trustee, a deceased person died testate, an election must have the will of the person annexed to it and must state that the will was, in the opinion of the public trustee, duly executed by the person.
	(4)	If the public trustee has filed an election, the estate of the person vests in the public trustee, and the public trustee has the powers and duties that he or she would have had if the Supreme Court had, under section 88, granted to the public trustee an order to collect and administer the estate of the person.
	(5)	The public trustee must publish notice of each election filed under this section in a newspaper published and circulating in the ACT, and publication of a notice accordingly in relation to an estate is conclusive evidence that the public trustee is entitled to administer the estate of the deceased person.
	(6)	If, after the public trustee has filed an election—
	(a)	if the will of the deceased person was annexed to the election—a later will; or
	(b)	in any other case—a will;
of the deceased person comes into the possession of the public trustee, the public trustee must file in the Supreme Court a notice, signed by the public trustee, containing particulars of that will.
	(7)	If the public trustee files a notice under subsection (6), the election is taken to have been revoked and the public trustee ceases to have the powers and duties given by this section in relation to the estate.
	(8)	If, after the public trustee has filed an election in relation to the estate of a deceased person, the gross value of the estate is found to exceed $150 000, the public trustee must file in the Supreme Court a notice, signed by the public trustee, certifying that the value of the estate exceeds that amount.
	(9)	If the public trustee files a notice under subsection (8), the election is taken to have been revoked and the public trustee ceases to have the powers and duties given by this section in relation to the estate.
	(10)	The filing of a notice under subsection (6) or (8) in relation to the estate of a deceased person does not prevent the public trustee from applying, under section 88, for an order to collect and administer that estate.
	(11)	If the public trustee has filed a notice under subsection (6) or (8) in relation to the estate of a deceased person, the provisions of section 32B apply as if the filing of an election under this section was the grant of probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of the deceased person and the filing of the notice was the revocation of that grant.
88	Orders to public trustee to collect and administer
	(1)	The Supreme Court may, on the application of the public trustee, grant to the public trustee an order to collect and administer the estate of any deceased person leaving real or personal estate within the jurisdiction in any of the following cases:
	(a)	if the deceased person leaves no executor, partner or next of kin, resident within the jurisdiction, willing and capable of acting in execution of his or her will or administration of his or her estate;
	(b)	if the executors named renounce probate of the will of the deceased person, and all the persons primarily entitled to administration by writing filed with the registrar decline to apply for administration;
	(c)	if probate or administration is not applied for within 3 months after the death of the deceased person;
	(d)	if, after the end of 30 days from the death there is no reasonable probability of application being made within that period of 3 months;
	(e)	if the estate or any part of the estate is liable to waste and the executor, any partner or the next of kin—
	(i)	is absent from the locality of the estate; or
	(ii)	is not known; or
	(iii)	has not been found; or
	(iv)	requests the public trustee in writing to apply for the order;
	(f)	if the estate, or any part of it, is—
	(i)	of a perishable nature; or
	(ii)	in danger of being lost or destroyed;
	(g)	if great expense may be incurred because of delay;
	(h)	if by the will of the deceased person the curator of estates of deceased persons or the public trustee is appointed to act.
	(2)	The Supreme Court may, in any case—
	(a)	require the public trustee to give the notices, produce the evidence, or do anything else, the court considers appropriate before granting the order applied for; or
	(b)	make a temporary order for collection or protection only or a temporary order limited to a part of the estate or otherwise.
	(3)	In this section:
partner, in relation to a deceased person, has the same meaning as it has in part 3A (Intestacy) in relation to an intestate.
89	Effect of order
	(1)	If an order to collect and administer the estate of any deceased person is granted, the public trustee has the same powers, rights, and obligations in relation to the estate, except as otherwise expressly provided, that the public trustee would have had if administration had been granted to him or her, and the estate of the deceased person vests in the public trustee.
	(2)	If the Supreme Court grants an order to collect and administer the estate of a deceased person after having been satisfied that the deceased person made a valid will that had not been revoked before death—
	(a)	a copy of that will must be annexed to the order; and
	(b)	the public trustee has, subject to this part, the same rights and duties in relation to the estate of the person that the public trustee would have if administration with the will annexed of the estate of the deceased person had been granted to the public trustee.
	(3)	All laws for the time being in force in relation to the administration of the estates of deceased persons apply to the administration of estates by the public trustee.
90	Grant of probate or administration despite appointment of public trustee
	(1)	Even though that—
	(a)	the public trustee is administering the estate of a deceased person under section 87B; or
	(b)	the public trustee has filed an election to administer the estate of a deceased person under section 87C; or
	(c)	the public trustee has been granted an order to collect and administer the estate of a deceased person under section 88;
the Supreme Court may grant probate of the will, or administration of the estate, of the deceased person to an appropriate person on the conditions it considers appropriate.
	(2)	An application for a grant under subsection (1) must be served on the public trustee in accordance with the rules.
91	Cessation of rights and liabilities of public trustee
	(1)	Immediately on the grant of any such probate or administration, all the interest, powers, rights, and duties of the public trustee (except rights given by this section) in regard to the estate of the deceased person whose estate is affected by the grant, and all liabilities of the public trustee under any contract or agreement entered into in relation to the estate, or any part of the estate, cease.
	(2)	The part of the estate of the deceased person left unadministered by the public trustee, and all rights and obligations of the public trustee in relation to it, vest in the executor or administrator obtaining the probate or administration.
	(3)	Nothing in this section interferes with the allowance and payment of—
	(a)	all money due for the commission of the public trustee; and
	(b)	the necessary outlay, disbursements, costs, charges, and expenses in relation to the estate, including all costs in relation to appearing on the application for the probate or administration.
	(4)	Nothing in this section relieves the public trustee from any liability in relation to the management of the estate up to the time of granting the probate or administration.
92	Order to public trustee to collect and administer in special circumstances
	(1)	If it is made to appear to the Supreme Court that there is reasonable ground to suppose that any person has died, either in or out of the jurisdiction of the court, intestate, leaving property within the jurisdiction, the court may order and empower the public trustee to collect and administer the estate, both real and personal, of that person.
	(2)	The order is valid until revoked, and empowers the public trustee to—
	(a)	collect, manage, and administer the personal estate of the supposed deceased person; and
	(b)	enter on and receive the rents and profits and otherwise manage the real estate; and
	(c)	pay and discharge the debts and liabilities of that person;
in like way as if he or she were certainly dead and the public trustee had obtained an order to collect and administer the estate of the person under section 88.
	(3) 	The public trustee must not proceed to any distribution of the assets without an order of the Supreme Court specially authorising the public trustee to make the distribution.
93	Notice of order to be published
Within 1 month after any order to collect and administer has been granted, the public trustee must, unless the Supreme Court otherwise orders, ensure that notice of the fact that the order has been granted is published twice in some newspaper circulating in or near to the ACT.
95	Supreme Court orders against public trustee
	(1)	This section applies if—
	(a)	the public trustee has the responsibility of collecting and administering a deceased estate; and
	(b)	the public trustee or the curator of estates of deceased persons has—
	(i)	neglected or refused to do any act in relation to the administration of the estate; or
	(ii)	acted, or threatened to act, in breach of his or her duty in relation to the administration of the estate.
	(2)	If this section applies, a person interested in an estate referred to in subsection (1) may apply to the Supreme Court—
	(a)	for an order calling on the public trustee to show cause before the court why the public trustee should act, or fail to act, in the way complained of; or
	(b)	for an interim injunction.
	(3)	On application under subsection (2), the Supreme Court may grant an order or interim injunction subject to any conditions about giving security for costs the court considers appropriate.
96	Orders on complaints under s 95
	(1)	On the hearing of a complaint under section 95, the Supreme Court may make any order that it considers just.
	(2)	To remove any doubt, an order under subsection (1) has effect, and may be enforced, as if it had been made by the Supreme Court in a proceeding between the parties to the complaint.
97	Public trustee to act as Supreme Court directs
If an order to collect and administer is made under this part, the Supreme Court may, on the application of the public trustee or any person interested in the estate, make any orders about the collection, sale, investment, and disposal of the estate, that the court considers appropriate.
97A	Public trustee may obtain directions of Supreme Court
	(1)	The public trustee may, ex parte, take the opinion or obtain the direction of the Supreme Court on any question, whether of law or of fact, arising under this part, or in the course of his or her duties.
	(2)	The Supreme Court must give its opinion or direction to the public trustee, and the public trustee must act in accordance with its opinion or direction and must, on the request of any person interested in the estate, communicate to the person the effect of the opinion or direction.
98	Proceedings for estates administered by the public trustee
	(1)	This section applies in relation to an estate administered by the public trustee under this part.
	(2)	The following must be decided by the Supreme Court:
	(a)	all disputes and matters about the collection, management or administration of the estate;
	(b)	all claims on the estate.
	(3)	However, if the Supreme Court considers that it should not decide a matter mentioned in subsection (2), the Supreme Court may direct that other proceedings to decide the matter be begun.
101	Accounts to be kept etc
The public trustee must—
	(a)	make an inventory or list of all the estates of the persons that the public trustee has been ordered to collect and administer and keep it in his or her office; and
	(c)	keep all letters received, and copies of all letters written by the public trustee, and all deeds, papers, and writings of and relating to those estates.
102	Receipt of public trustee sufficient discharge
The written receipt of the public trustee for any money payable to the public trustee under this part is a sufficient discharge for the money to the person paying it, and the person is not afterwards liable for any misapplication of the money.

Part 9	Miscellaneous
127	Person fraudulently disposing of will liable for damages
If a person suffers damage as a result of the stealing of a will or a part of a will, or as a result of the fraudulent destroying, cancelling, obliterating or concealing of a will or a part of a will, the person may recover damages in relation to the damage by action in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person who stole, destroyed, cancelled, obliterated or concealed the will or part.
128	Application of amendments made by Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act 1996
The following provisions as amended or inserted by the Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act 1996 (and any other consequential amendments made by that Act, schedule) apply only in relation to the distribution of the estates of people who die on or after 1 May 1996:
	(a)	section 12;
	(b)	section 22;
	(c)	part 3A heading;
	(d)	division 3A.1 heading;
	(e)	section 44;
	(f)	division 3A.2 heading;
	(g)	section 45A;
	(h)	section 49BA;
	(i)	paragraphs 49D (3) (a) and (b);
	(j)	division 3A.3 heading;
	(k)	parts 3B and 3C headings;
	(l)	section 65;
	(m)	section 69;
	(n)	section 95;
	(o)	schedule 6.

Schedule 4	  
(see s 41C)
Part 4.1	Order of application of assets if estate solvent
	1	Assets undisposed of by will, subject to the retention out of those assets of a fund sufficient to meet any pecuniary legacies.
	2	Assets not specifically disposed of by will but included (either by a specific or general description) in a residuary gift, subject to the retention out of those assets of a fund sufficient to meet any pecuniary legacies that are not provided for out of the assets undisposed of by will.
	3	Assets specifically appropriated or disposed of by will (either by a specific or general description) for the payment of debts.
	4	Assets charged with, or disposed of by will (either by a specific or general description) subject to a charge for, the payment of debts.
	5	The fund (if any) kept to meet pecuniary legacies.
	6	Assets specifically disposed of by will, rateably according to value.

Part 4.2	Rules about payment of debts and liabilities if estate insolvent
	1	The funeral, testamentary and administration expenses have priority.
	2	Subject to rule 1, the same rules must prevail and must be observed about the respective rights of secured and unsecured creditors and as to the valuation of annuities and future and contingent liabilities, respectively, and about the priorities of debts and liabilities that are in force at the death of the deceased person under the law of bankruptcy in relation to the assets of persons adjudged bankrupt.
	3	In the application of those rules, the date of the death of the deceased person must be substituted for the date of the sequestration order.

Schedule 6	Distribution of intestate estate on intestacy
(See s 49)
Part 6.1	Distribution of estate if intestate survived by partner

item	circumstances	How intestate estate of intestate is to be distributed	
1	if the intestate is not survived by issue	The partner is entitled to the whole of the intestate estate.	
2	if the intestate is survived by issue	1	If the value of the intestate estate does not exceed $200 000, the partner is entitled to the whole of the intestate estate.
2	If the value of the intestate estate exceeds $200 000, the partner is entitled to be paid out of the intestate estate—
(a)	$200 000; and
(b)	interest on that sum, calculated at the rate of 8% per annum from the date of the death of the intestate to the date that sum is paid or appropriated to the partner (inclusive); and	
			(c)	an additional sum equal to—
	(i)	if 1 child or the issue of 1 child of the intestate survives the intestate but no other issue of the intestate survives the intestate—1/2 of the value of the balance of the intestate estate; or
	(ii)	in any other case—1/3 of the value of the balance of the intestate estate.
3	The issue of the intestate are entitled to the balance (if any) of the intestate estate after payment to the partner of the sum or sums to which the partner is entitled under this item.	

Part 6.2	Distribution of estate if intestate not survived by partner

item	circumstances	How intestate estate of intestate is to be distributed	
1	if the intestate is survived by issue	the issue are entitled to the whole of the intestate estate.	
2	if the intestate is not survived by issue but is survived by a parent or both parents	the parent is entitled to the whole of the intestate estate or, if both parents survive the intestate, the parents are entitled to the whole of the intestate estate in equal shares.	
3	if the intestate is not survived by issue or by a parent but is survived by next of kin	the next of kin are entitled to the intestate estate in accordance with section 49C.	
4	if the intestate is not survived by issue, by a parent or by next of kin	the Territory is entitled to the intestate estate.	

Dictionary
(see s 2)
Note 1	The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act.
Note 2	For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:
·	ACT
·	Commonwealth country
·	foreign country
·	land
·	public trustee
·	State
·	Supreme Court.
administration includes all letters of administration of the real and personal estate of deceased persons whether with or without the will annexed and whether granted for general, special, or limited purposes, exemplification of letters of administration and any other formal evidence of the letters of administration purporting to be under the seal of a court of competent jurisdiction that is in the opinion of the Supreme Court sufficient.
administration bond means a bond or guarantee, with or without sureties, prescribed under the rules.
administrator includes any person to whom administration is granted.
distribute means to pay, deliver, or divide the estate or property referred to, to or among the person or persons entitled under any intestacy or under any will.
dwelling house, for division 3A.3 (Rights of partners to intestate dwelling houses)—see section 49F.
election means an election to administer the estate or a part of the estate of a deceased person.
eligible partner, of an intestate, for part 3A (Intestacy)—see section 44.
intestate, for part 3A (Intestacy)—see section 44.
intestate estate, in relation to an intestate, for part 3A (Intestacy)—see section 44.
original executor, for division 3.4 (Position of executor of an executor)—see section 43A.
partner, for part 3A (Intestacy)—see section 44.
personal chattels, in relation to an intestate, for part 3A (Intestacy)—see section 44.
personal representative, in relation to an intestate, for part 3A (Intestacy)—see section 44.
prescribed means prescribed by rules.
probate includes exemplification of probate or any other formal document, purporting to be under the seal of a court of competent jurisdiction, that, in the opinion of the Supreme Court, is sufficient.
public trustee, in relation to a foreign country, includes an officer of the country who is entitled under a law of the country to apply, if a deceased person has died intestate leaving no next of kin, to a court for an order that authorises the officer to administer the estate of the deceased person.
purposes of administration includes the payment in due course of administration of the debts, funeral and testamentary expenses  duties and commission, and the costs, charges and expenses of the executor or administrator, and any costs that may be ordered to be paid out of the estate.
registrar means the registrar of the Supreme Court.
representation—
	(a)	for this Act generally—means the probate of a will and administration; and
	(b)	in relation to an intestate, for division 3A.3 (Rights of partners to intestate dwelling houses)—see section 49F.
rules mean rules under the Court Procedures Act 2004 that apply in relation to the Supreme Court.
will includes a codicil.

Endnotes
1	About the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history.  Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history.  Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
Uncommenced amending laws and expiries are listed in the legislation history and the amendment history.  These details are underlined.  Uncommenced provisions and amendments are not included in the republished law but are set out in the last endnote.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.  
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2	Abbreviation key

am = amended	ord = ordinance	
amdt = amendment	orig = original	
ch = chapter	par = paragraph/subparagraph	
def = definition	pres = present	
dict = dictionary	prev = previous	
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative 	(prev...) = previously	
Assembly	pt = part	
div = division	r = rule/subrule	
exp = expires/expired	renum = renumbered	
Gaz = gazette	reloc = relocated	
hdg = heading	R[X] = Republication No	
IA = Interpretation Act 1967	RI = reissue	
ins = inserted/added	s = section/subsection	
LA = Legislation Act 2001	sch = schedule	
LR = legislation register	sdiv = subdivision	
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996	sub = substituted	
mod = modified/modification	SL = Subordinate Law	
o = order	underlining = whole or part not commenced	
om = omitted/repealed	or to be expired	

3	Legislation history
This Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the Administration and Probate Ordinance 1929 No 18 (Cwlth).
The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4) converted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT enactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the laws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 1 July 1992 under the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (7).
As with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from Ordinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 No 21, s 5 on its conversion to an ACT enactment on 1 July 1992.
Before 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless otherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cwlth), s 12).
After 11 May 1989 and before 10 November 1999, Acts commenced on their notification day unless otherwise stated (see Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth) s 25).
	Legislation before becoming Territory enactment
Administration and Probate Act 1929 No 18
notified 10 October 1929
commenced 21 October 1929
as amended by
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1930 No 11
notified 25 July 1930
commenced 25 July 1930
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1932 No 13
notified 28 April 1932
commenced 28 April 1932
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1933 No 9
notified 4 May 1933
commenced 4 May 1933
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1934 No 2
notified 8 February 1934
commenced 8 February 1934
Administration and Probate Ordinance (No 2) 1934 No 6
notified 22 March 1934
commenced 22 March 1934
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1937 No 3
notified 18 March 1937
commenced 18 March 1937
Administration and Probate Ordinance (No 2) 1937 No 13
notified 19 August 1937
commenced 19 August 1937
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1937 No 27 sch 2
notified 23 December 1937
commenced 23 December 1937
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1938 No 35 sch 2
notified 15 December 1938
commenced 15 December 1938
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1943 No 7
notified 13 May 1943
commenced 13 May 1943
Trustee Companies Ordinance 1947 No 15
notified 18 December 1947
commenced 18 December 1947
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1950 No 16
notified 21 December 1950
commenced 21 December 1950
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1953 No 5
notified 27 February 1953
commenced 27 February 1953
Administration and Probate Ordinance (No 2) 1954 No 2
notified 7 January 1954
commenced 7 January 1954
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1960 No 6
notified 9 September 1960
commenced 12 September 1960
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1965 No 20
notified 21 December 1965
commenced 1 January 1966
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1967 No 9 (as am by Ord 1967 No 23)
notified 18 May 1967
s 1, s 2, s 7, s 10 and s 12 commenced 18 May 1967
remainder commenced 1 July 1967
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1969 No 16
notified 14 August 1969
commenced 1 September 1969 (Cwlth Gaz 1969)
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1970 No 25
notified 2 July 1970
commenced 20 July 1970 (Cwlth Gaz 1970)
Administration and Probate Ordinance 1974 No 27 (as am by Ord 1974 No 43)
notified 13 August 1974
commenced 13 August 1974
Administration and Probate Ordinance (No 2) 1974 No 43 (as am by Ord 1974 No 47 sch 3)
notified 18 October 1974
commenced 18 October 1974
Ordinances Revision (Age of Majority) Ordinance 1974 No 47 sch 1
notified 24 October 1974
commenced 1 November 1974
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Ordinance 1976 No 53
notified 27 October 1976
commenced1 November 1976
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Ordinance 1980 No 8
notified 26 March 1980
commenced 1 April 1980 (Cwlth Gaz 1980 No S66)
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Ordinance 1984 No 67
notified 5 December 1984
commenced 5 December 1984
Public Trustee (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 1985 No 9
notified 8 March 1985
commenced 28 October 1985 (Cwlth Gaz 1985 No G42)
Administrative Arrangements (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1988 No 17 sch 2
notified 22 April 1988
commenced 2 April 1988
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Ordinance 1988 No 34
notified 6 July 1988
commenced 6 July 1988
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Ordinance 1989 No 17
notified 22 March 1989
commenced 22 March 1989
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Ordinance (No 2) 1989 No 19
notified 22 March 1989
commenced 24 March 1989 (Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S101)
Self-Government (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1989 No 38 pt 2 div 1, sch 1
notified 10 May 1989 (Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S160)
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 May 1989 (s 2 (1))
pt 2 div 1, sch 1 commenced 11 May 1989 (s 2 (2) and see Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S164)
	Legislation after becoming Territory enactment
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act 1991 No 20
notified 10 May 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S36)
commenced 10 May 1991
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1991 No 69
notified 7 November 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S120)
commenced 7 November 1991
Registrar-General (Consequential Provisions) Act 1993 No 64 sch 1
notified 6 September 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S172)
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 1993 (s 2 (1))
sch 1 commenced 1 October 1993 (s 2 (2) and see Gaz 1993 No S207)
Supreme Court (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1993 No 91 sch 3
notified 17 December 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S258)
commenced 17 December 1993 (s 2)
Statutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
notified 15 December 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S280)
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (1))
sch pt 1 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S293)
Land Titles (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995 No 54 sch pt 1
notified 20 December 1995 (Gaz 1995 No S313)
commenced 20 June 1996 (s 2, see Land Titles (Amendment) Act 1995 s 2 (3) and LA s 79)
Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act 1996 No 15
notified 1 May 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S71)
commenced 1 May 1996 (s 2)
Legal Practitioners (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 No 96 sch 1
notified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S380)
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2 (1))
sch 1 commenced 1 June 1998 (s 2 (2))
Birth (Equality of Status) (Amendment) Act 1998 No 42
notified 14 October 1998 (Gaz 1998 No 41)
ss 1-3 commenced 14 October 1998 (s 2 (1))
remainder commenced 14 April 1999 (s 2 (3))
Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1999 No 66 sch 3
notified 10 November 1999 (Gaz 1999 No 45)
commenced 10 November 1999 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2000 No 80 sch 3
notified 21 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No S69)
commenced 21 December 2000 (s 2 (1))
Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 No 44 pt 3
notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)
pt 3 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001 No S65)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2001 (No 2) 2001 No 56 pt 3.1
notified 5 September 2001 (Gaz 2001 No S65)
commenced 5 September 2001 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2002 No 27 pt 2
notified LR 9 September 2002
s 1, s 2 commenced 9 September 2002 (LA s 75)
pt 2 commenced 10 September 2002 (s 2)
Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 No 40 div 3.2.1
notified LR 10 October 2002
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 October 2002 (LA s 75 (1))
div 3.2.1 commenced 1 November 2002 (s 2 (2) and CN2002-13)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2003 A2003-2 pt 2
notified LR 3 March 2003
s 1, s 2 commenced 3 March 2003 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 6, pt 7, pt 11, pt 15 commenced 4 March 2003
pt 2 commenced 31 March 2003 (s 2 (2))
Parentage Act 2004 A2004-1 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 18 February 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 18 February 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 22 March 2004 (s 2 and CN2004-3)
Sexuality Discrimination Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-2 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 18 February 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 18 February 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 22 March 2004 (s 2 and CN2004-4)
Court Procedures (Consequential Amendments) Act 2004 A2004-60 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 2 September 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 2 September 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 10 January 2005 (s 2 and see Court Procedures Act 2004 A2004-59, s 2 and CN2004-29)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2005 (No 4) A2005-60 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 1 December 2005
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 23 November 2005 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 22 December 2005 (s 2 (4))
Civil Unions Act 2006 A2006-22 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 19 May 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 May 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 never commenced
Note	Act repealed by disallowance 14 June 2006 (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)
Civil Law (Property) Act 2006 A2006-38 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 28 September 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 September 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 28 March 2007 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2006 A2006-40 sch 2 pt 2.1
notified LR 28 September 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 September 2006 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 2 pt 2.1 commenced 29 September 2006 (s 2 (1))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.2
notified LR 22 March 2007
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 3 pt 3.2 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2008 A2008-7 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 16 April 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 16 April 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 7 May 2008 (s 2)
4	Amendment history
Dictionary
s 2	om 2001 No 44 amdt 1.22
	ins A2007-3 amdt 3.3
Notes
s 3	am 1930 No 11 s 2
	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
	ins A2007-3 amdt 3.3
Parts
s 4	am 1953 No 5 s 2
	sub 1965 No 20 s 3
	am 1967 No 9 s 3; 1969 No 16 s 3; 1970 No 25 s 4
	om 1976 No 53 s 3
Interpretation for Act
s 5	am 1965 No 20 s 4; 1967 No 9 s 4; 1999 No 66 sch 3
	defs reloc to dict A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	om A2007-3 amdt 3.9
	def acting curator ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
	def acting deputy curator ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
	def acting deputy registrar ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1988 No 34 s 3
	om 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	def acting registrar ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1
	om 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	def city area om 1985 No 9 sch 1
	def Commonwealth country ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	om 1969 No 16 s 4
	def court ins 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2007-3 amdt 3.4
	def deceased person or the deceased am 1930 No 11 s 3; 1985 No 9 sch 1
	sub 1965 No 20 s 4
	om A2007-3 amdt 3.5
	def deputy curator ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
	def deputy registrar ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1988 No 34 s 3
	sub 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.1
	def judge ins 1937 No 13 s 3
	om 1984 No 67 sch
	def justice om 1937 No 13 s 3
	def portion of His Majesty’s Dominions ins 1934 No 6 s 2
	om 1965 No 20 s 4
	def public trustee ins 1985 No 9 s 4
	om A2007-3 amdt 3.6
	def seal of the court ins 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2005-60 amdt 1.1
	def the court sub 1937 No 13 s 3; 1965 No 20 s 4
	om 1996 No 15 sch
	def the curator sub 1965 No 20 s 4
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
	def the registrar sub 1965 No 20 s 4
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1988 No 34 s 3
	om 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	def the registrar of titles sub 1965 No 20 s 4
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1
	om 1993 No 64 sch 1
	def the seal of the court ins 1934 No 2 s 2
	sub 1965 No 20 s 4
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1
	om 1996 No 15 sch
Administration
s 6	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Administration
pt 2 hdg	om A2006-40 amdt 2.3
Registrar of Probates
s 7	am 1930 No 11 s 4
	sub 1965 No 20 s 5
	am 1988 No 17 sch 2; 1988 No 34 s 4
	sub 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.3
Deputy Registrars of Probates 
s 7A	ins 1965 No 20 s 5
	am 1988 No 34 s 5
	sub 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.3
Signature stamp
s 7B hdg	sub A2005-60 amdt 1.2
s 7B	ins 1965 No 20 s 5
	am 1988 No 17 sch 2; 1988 No 34 s 6; 1994 No 97 sch pt 1; A2005-60 amdt 1.3; ss renum A2005-60 amdt 1.4
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.3
Powers and duties of deputies
s 8	sub 1930 No 11 s 5
	sub 1965 No 20 s 5
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Powers of acting curator, deputy curator, etc
s 8A	ins 1965 No 20 s 5
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Seal and stamp of the curator
s 8B	ins 1965 No 20 s 5
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
div 3.1 hdg	(prev pt 3 div 1 hdg) renum R6 LA
Preliminary
pt 3 div 3A hdg	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	om 1996 No 15 s 7
Rights of spouses to intestate dwelling-houses
pt 3 div 3B hdg	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	om 1996 No 15 s 12
Simultaneous deaths
pt 3 div 3C hdg	ins 1984 No 67 s 12
	om 1996 No 15 s 13
Supreme Court to make finding about domicile of deceased person 
s 8C	ins 1970 No 25 s 5
	am 1984 No 67 s 4; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; 1999 No 66 sch 3; A2006-40 amdt 2.4
Probate or administration may be granted 
s 9	am 1965 No 20 s 6
Evidence of death 
s 9A	ins 1965 No 20 s 7
Grant on presumption of death 
s 9B	ins 1965 No 20 s 7
	am 1969 No 16 s 5; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdts 2.5-2.8; A2007-3 amdt 3.13
Issue of probate by registrar 
s 10	am 1965 No 20 s 8; 1984 No 67 s 5; 1996 No 15 sch; pars renum R6 LA
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.9
Sealing of probate and letters of administration 
s 10A	ins 1930 No 11 s 6
	am 1965 No 20 s 9; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.9
Grant to single executor reserving leave to others to apply 
s 10B	ins 1965 No 20 s 10
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Grant of probate to public trustee 
s 10C	ins 1965 No 20 s 10
	sub 1985 No 9 s 5
Eligible administrators 
s 12	am 1974 No 47 sch 1
	sub 1996 No 15 s 5
	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8; A2006-40 amdt 2.10
Rights and duties of administrator 
s 13	am 1937 No 3 s 2
	om 1947 No 15 s 2
	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
	am 2001 No 44 amdt 1.23, amdt 1.24; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Administration bond to be given 
s 14	sub 1965 No 20 s 11; 1969 No 16 s 6
	am 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2003-2 s 5
Amount of penalty on administration bond
s 15	am 1930 No 11 s 7; 1937 No 13 sch; 1965 No 20 s 12; 1967 No 9 sch
	om 1969 No 16 s 6
Powers of registrar as to sureties, penalty, etc
s 16	am 1965 No 20 s 13; 1967 No 9 sch
	om 1969 No 16 s 6
Order may be made to assign bond
s 17	am 1930 No 11 s 8; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2003-2 s 5
Order to assign bond in creditor’s administration 
s 18	am 1930 No 11 s 9; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 s 6, sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2003-2 s 5
Probate or administration may be revoked or further bond required 
s 18A	ins 1965 No 20 s 14
	am 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2003-2 s 5
Application by surety for relief
s 19	om A2003-2 s 5
Renunciation or non-appearance by executor
s 20	am 1996 No 15 sch
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.11
Renunciation etc by person appointed both executor and trustee of will
s 20A	ins 1930 No 11 s 10
	am 1996 No 15 sch
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.11
Administration to guardian of child sole executor 
s 21	am 1974 No 47 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; 1999 No 66 sch 3; A2007-3 amdt 3.13
Administration under power of attorney 
s 22	am 1965 No 20 s 15
	sub 1996 No 15 s 6
Administration pendente lite and receiver
s 23	am A2003-2 s 6; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Power to appoint administrator 
s 24	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Failure of executor to prove will
s 25	am 1937 No 13 s 4; 1974 No 47 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.12
Issue of special letters of administration 
s 26	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.13
Special administrator to make certain affidavits 
s 27	am 1996 No 15 sch
On return of original executor or administrator special administration to be revoked
s 28 hdg	am A2006-40 amdt 2.14
s 28	am 1930 No 11 s 11; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.15
Accounting by special administrator 
s 29	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.16
Liability of executor or administrator neglecting to apply for revocation of special administration 
s 30 hdg	am A2006-40 amdt 2.17
s 30	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.17, amdt 2.18; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Revocation of grants not to prejudice actions or suits 
s 31	am 1930 No 11 s 12; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.19
Discharge or removal of executors and administrators
s 32	am 1930 No 11 s 13; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch; pars renum R6 LA
	sub A2008-7 amdt 1.1
Revocation of grant if person living at date of grant 
s 32A	ins 1965 No 20 s 16
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Effect of revocation of grant 
s 32B	ins 1965 No 20 s 16
	am 1969 No 16 s 7; 1993 No 64 sch 1; 1995 No 54 sch pt 1; 1996 No 15 sch; pars renum R6 LA
Caveats
div 3.2 hdg	(prev pt 3 div 2 hdg) renum R6 LA
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Caveat may be lodged 
s 33	am 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
If caveat lodged court may grant order nisi
s 34	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Service of order nisi 
s 35	am 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Proceeding if caveator does not appear
s 36	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Evidence on hearing of order nisi
s 37	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Withdrawal and removal of caveat 
s 37A	ins 1965 No 20 s 17
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Costs if caveat lodged by public trustee 
s 38	am 1985 No 9 s 7; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.20
Effect of grant of representation
div 3.3 hdg	(prev pt 3 div 3 hdg) renum R6 LA
Estate to vest in public trustee until grant 
s 38A	ins 1965 No 20 s 18
	am 1985 No 9 s 8
Real and personal estate to vest in executor or administrator 
s 39	am 1965 No 20 s 19; 1996 No 15 sch
Real estate held in trust 
s 40	am 1965 No 20 s 20; 1996 No 15 sch
Property of deceased to be assets 
s 41	am 1934 No 6 s 3; 1996 No 15 sch
Property of deceased liable for debts 
s 41A	ins 1965 No 20 s 21
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Appointments by will under general power 
s 41B	ins 1965 No 20 s 21
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Administration of assets 
s 41C	ins 1965 No 20 s 21
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2008-7 amdt 1.17
Application of income of settled residuary estate 
s 41D	ins 1965 No 20 s 21
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Real estate to be held on trusts of will 
s 42	am 1996 No 15 sch
Rights of executor in relation to real estate 
s 43	am 1996 No 15 sch
Position of executor of an executor 
div 3.4 hdg	(prev pt 3 div 4 hdg) ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
	renum R14 LA
div 3.4 note	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
	am 2001 No 44 amdt 1.25, amdt 1.26
Executor of executor
s 43A	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
	am A2008-7 amdt 1.2
When ceases to represent deceased
s 43B	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
Rights and liabilities of executor of executor
s 43C	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
Intestacy
pt 3A hdg	ins 1996 No 15 s 7
Preliminary
div 3A.1 hdg	(prev pt 3A div 1 hdg) ins 1996 No 15 s 7
	renum R6 LA
Interpretation for pt 3A
s 44	sub 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 s 8, sch; A2008-7 amdt 1.3
	def eligible partner sub A2004-2 amdt 1.1
	am A2006-22 amdt 1.1 (A2006-22 rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
	def legal spouse om A2004-2 amdt 1.2
	def partner ins A2004-2 amdt 1.3
	am A2006-22 amdt 1.2 (A2006-22 rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
	def spouse om A2004-2 amdt 1.4
Distribution on intestacy
div 3A.2 hdg	(prev pt 3A div 2 hdg) ins 1996 No 15 s 9
	renum R6 LA
Whole blood or half-blood relationships
s 44A	ins A2008-7 amdt 1.4
Executor or administrator to hold property of intestate on trust for persons entitled 
s 45	am 1954 No 2 s 2; 1965 No 20 s 22
	sub 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Distribution between spouse and eligible partner
s 45A	ins 1996 No 15 s 10
	sub A2004-2 amdt 1.5
	am A2006-22 amdt 1.3 (A2006-22 rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
Provisions relating to persons who at date of death of intestate are children
s 46	sub 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1974 No 47 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-22 
amdts 1.4-1.6 (A2006-22 rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
Presumption of survivorship not to apply
s 47	sub 1967 No 9 s 5
	om 1984 No 67 s 6
Estate by courtesy or right of dower not to arise 
s 48	sub 1967 No 9 s 5
Distribution of intestate estate 
s 49	am 1930 No 11 s 14; 1937 No 13 sch
	sub 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1984 No 67 s 7; 1996 No 15 sch; R5 LRA; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Interest of partner on intestacy in personal chattels 
s 49A hdg	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8
s 49A	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Immovable property if intestate domiciled elsewhere 
s 49AA	ins 1984 No 67 s 8
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8; A2008-7 amdt 1.5
How distribution to issue is made
s 49B	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1984 No 67 s 9; 1996 No 15 sch
Gifts made before death of intestate 
s 49BA	ins 1984 No 67 s 10
	am 1996 No 15 s 11; A2004-2 amdt 1.6, amdt 1.7; A2006-22 amdt 1.7 (A2006-22 rep before commenced by disallowance (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
How distribution to next of kin is made
s 49C	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2008-7 amdt 1.17
How distribution to the Territory is made
s 49CA	ins 1989 No 17 s 3
	am 1989 No 38 s 3
Partial intestacies 
s 49D	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1984 No 67 s 11; 1996 No 15 sch; ss renum R6 LA; A2004-2 amdt 1.8; A2008-7 amdt 1.6
Presumptions of parentage
s 49E	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	sub 1989 No 19 s 4
	am 1998 No 42 s 12; A2004-1 amdt 1.1
Rights of partners to intestate dwelling houses
div 3A.3 hdg	(prev pt 3A div 3 hdg) ins 1996 No 15 s 12
	renum R6 LA
	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Definitions for div 3A.3
s 49F	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Claim by partner to dwelling house 
s 49G hdg	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8
s 49G	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch; 2001 No 56 amdt 3.1; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Valuation 
s 49H	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
Right not exercisable for certain tenancies 
s 49J	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Right not exercisable in certain other cases 
s 49K	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Personal representative not to sell or dispose of interest without consent 
s 49L	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Rule that trustee not to purchase trust property 
s 49M	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
If surviving partner is under legal disability 
s 49N hdg	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8
s 49N	ins 1967 No 9 s 5
	am 1974 No 47 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Simultaneous deaths
pt 3B hdg	ins 1996 No 15 s 13
Simultaneous deaths—devolution of property generally
s 49P	ins 1984 No 67 s 12
	am 1996 No 15 sch
	sub A2006-38 amdt 1.1
Simultaneous deaths—devolution of jointly owned property
s 49Q	ins A2006-38 amdt 1.1
Functions of Executors and Administrators 
pt 3C hdg	(prev div 4 pt 3 hdg) sub 1996 No 15 s 14
Powers of executors and administrators to sell, mortgage or lease real estate
s 50	am 1965 No 20 s 23; 1967 No 9 s 6; 1993 No 64 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; ss renum R6 LA; A2004-2 amdt 1.8; A2008-7 amdt 1.17
Supreme Court may make special order 
s 51	am 1930 No 11 s 15; 1937 No 13 sch; 1965 No 20 s 24; 1984 No 67 sch
Supreme Court may authorise postponement of realisation and carrying on of business 
s 51A	ins 1934 No 6 s 4
	am 1996 No 15 sch
Supreme Court may order partition in summary way 
s 52	am 1930 No 11 s 16; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1993 No 64 sch 1; 1995 No 54 sch pt 1; 1996 No 15 sch
Personal representative not required to continue to act against own consent 
s 53	am 1930 No 11 s 17; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
In suits executor or administrator to represent real estate 
s 54	am 1996 No 15 sch
All debts to stand in equal degree 
s 55	am 1996 No 15 sch; A2007-3 amdt 3.10, amdt 3.11
Interest on legacies 
s 55A	ins 1991 No 69 s 3
	am 2001 No 44 amdt 1.27, amdt 1.28
Executor may sign acknowledgment instead of conveyance 
s 56	am 1993 No 64 sch 1; 1995 No 54 sch pt 1; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.21
Summary application for legacy etc 
s 57	am 1930 No 11 s 18; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
Examination and passing of accounts etc
s 58	am 1930 No 11 s 19; 1965 No 20 s 25; 1984 No 67 s 13; 1989 No 19 s 5; 1996 No 15 sch
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.22
Passing and allowance of accounts of executors and administrators 
s 58A	ins 1930 No 11 s 20
	am 1933 No 9 s 2; 1965 No 20 s 26
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.22
If accounts not exhibited registrar to summon administrator before court, which may inflict penalty 
s 59	am 1965 No 20 s 27; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.22
Proceedings under s 59 not to affect other proceedings
s 60	am 1996 No 15 sch
	sub A2003-2 s 7
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.22
Supreme Court may make order about disposal of money in hands of executor etc 
s 61	am 1930 No 11 s 21; 1937 No 13 s 5, sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
Payments under revoked probates or administrations valid 
s 62	am 1930 No 11 s 22; 1965 No 20 s 28; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.23
Distribution of assets 
s 64	am 1937 No 13 sch; 1989 No 19 s 6; 1993 No 64 sch 1; 1999 No 66 sch 3; ss renum R6 LA; A2007-3 amdt 3.14; A2008-7 amdt 1.7
Claims barred against executor or administrator in certain cases 
s 65	am 1930 No 11 s 23; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
Distribution of estate by executors and administrators 
s 66	am 1930 No 11 s 24; 1996 No 15 sch
Right to follow assets 
s 67	am 1996 No 15 sch
Executors may compound etc 
s 68	am 1965 No 20 s 29; 1996 No 15 sch; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Every executor etc taken to be resident in ACT
s 69	am 1965 No 20 s 30; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.24; ss renum R13 LA
Commission, charges and costs
pt 3 div 5 hdg	om 1996 No 15 s 15
Executors etc may be allowed commission
s 70	am 1930 No 11 s 25; 1932 No 13 s 3; 1937 No 13 sch; 1967 No 9 sch; 1984 No 67 s 14, sch; 1996 No 15 sch; ss renum R6 LA; 2002 No 27 s 4
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.25
Limits of professional charges for obtaining probate etc
s 71	am 1930 No 11 s 26; 1937 No 13 sch
	sub 1950 No 16 s 2
	am 1965 No 20 s 31; 1967 No 9 s 7, sch; 1976 No 53 s 4; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch; ss renum R6 LA; 2002 No 27 s 5; A2006-40 amdt 2.26, amdt 2.27
	om A2008-7 amdt 1.8
Additional charge where necessary to employ agent
s 72	am 1950 No 16 s 3
	om 1965 No 20 s 32
Bill to be taxed by taxing officer 
s 73	sub 1950 No 16 s 4
	am 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.28
Taxing rules to apply 
s 74	am 1950 No 16 s 5
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.28
Liability of certain persons in relation to deceased estates 
pt 3D hdg	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
pt 3D note	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
	am 2001 No 44 amdt 1.29, amdt 1.30
Fraudulently obtaining or keeping property
s 74A	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
Persons liable for waste of deceased estate
s 74B	ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
Small estates
pt 4 hdg	om A2008-7 amdt 1.9
Application to registrar for probate or administration
s 75	am 1965 No 20 s 33; 1967 No 9 sch; 1974 No 43 sch; 1991 No 20 s 3
	om A2008-7 amdt 1.9
Duties of registrar
s 76	am 1974 No 27 s 2; 1996 No 15 sch; A2003-2 s 8; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
	om A2008-7 amdt 1.9
Issue of probate or administration in name of Supreme Court
s 77	am 1930 No 11 s 27; 1965 No 20 s 34; 1967 No 9 sch; 1974 No 43 sch; 1991 No 20 s 4; A2006-40 amdt 2.29
	om A2008-7 amdt 1.9
Matters about which registrar not satisfied
s 78	am 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2008-7 amdt 1.9
Obligation of registrar
s 79	am 1965 No 20 s 35; 1996 No 15 sch; 1997 No 96 sch 1
	om A2008-7 amdt 1.9
Orders to collect and administer estates for pt 5
s 79A	ins A2003-2 s 9
Inclusion of orders to collect and Scottish confirmation
s 79B	ins A2003-2 s 9
Reseal of grant made in reciprocating jurisdiction
s 80 hdg	note om A2006-40 amdt 2.30
s 80	sub 1965 No 20 s 36
	am 1969 No 16 s 8; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; ss renum R6 LA
	sub A2003-2 s 10
	am A2006-40 amdt 2.31; ss renum R13 LA
Registrar not to seal
s 80A	ins A2003-2 s 10
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.32
Supreme Court may require security
s 80B	ins A2003-2 s 10
Effect of sealing
s 80C	ins A2003-2 s 10
Caveat
s 81	am 1965 No 20 s 37
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.32
Seal not to be attached until duty is paid etc 
s 82	am 1930 No 11 s 28; 1965 No 20 s 38; 1996 No 15 sch;
A2003-2 s 11
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.32
Inclusion of orders to collect and Scotch confirmation 
s 83	sub 1965 No 20 s 39
	om A2003-2 s 12
Special provisions with respect to death duty payable under state law
pt 5A hdg	ins 1970 No 25 s 6
	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
Interpretation
s 83A	ins 1970 No 25 s 6
	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
Death duty etc payable under law of a State to constitute a debt payable out of Territory assets
s 83B	ins 1970 No 25 s 6
	am 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
Public trustee
pt 6 hdg	sub 1965 No 20 s 40; 1985 No 9 s 9
Curator to give security
s 84	sub 1965 No 20 s 41
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Successors to have power of administration de bonis non
s 85	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Proceedings by and against curator
s 86	am 1965 No 20 s 42
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
As to fees and commission
s 87	sub 1960 No 6 s 3
	am 1967 No 9 sch; 1974 No 43 s 2
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Appointment of agents
s 87A	ins 1937 No 13 s 6
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Estates valued at $30 000 or less
s 87B hdg	am 1991 No 20 s 5
s 87B 	ins 1965 No 20 s 43
	am 1967 No 9 sch; 1969 No 16 s 9; 1974 No 43 sch; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1991 No 20 s 5; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.33
	sub A2008-7 amdt 1.10
Estates valued at $150 000 or less
s 87C hdg	sub A2008-7 amdt 1.11
s 87C	ins 1965 No 20 s 43
	am 1967 No 9 sch; 1969 No 16 s 10; 1974 No 43 sch; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1991 No 20 s 6; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.34, amdt 2.35; A2008-7 amdt 1.12
Orders to public trustee to collect and administer 
s 88	am 1937 No 13 s 7; 1943 No 7 s 4; 1985 No 9 s 10, sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; A2004-2 amdt 1.8; A2006-40 amdt 2.36; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Effect of order 
s 89	am 1937 No 13 s 8; 1965 No 20 s 44; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; ss renum R6 LA; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Grant of probate or administration despite appointment of public trustee 
s 90	am 1937 No 13 s 9; 1965 No 20 s 45; 1985 No 9 s 11, sch 1; 1999 No 66 sch 3; A2006-40 amdt 2.37
Cessation of rights and liabilities of public trustee 
s 91	am 1985 No 9 s 12, sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; A2007-3 amdt 3.14
Order to public trustee to collect and administer in special circumstances 
s 92	am 1932 No 13 s 4; 1937 No 13 s 10, sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 s 13, sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
Notice of order to be published 
s 93	am 1932 No 13 s 5; 1937 No 13 s 11, sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 sch 1
Like notices to next of kin
s 94	am 1932 No 13 s 6
	sub 1937 No 13 s 12
	am 1965 No 20 s 46
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Payment to curator in a State or Territory
s 94A	ins 1937 No 13 s 12
	sub 1965 No 20 s 47
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Curator may receive payment of estate situated in another State or Territory
s 94B	ins 1937 No 13 s 12
	sub 1965 No 20 s 47
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Supreme Court orders against public trustee 
s 95	am 1930 No 11 s 29; 1937 No 13 s 13, sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 s 14, sch 1
	sub 1996 No 15 sch
	am A2006-40 amdt 2.38, amdt 2.39
Orders on complaints under s 95
s 96	am 1930 No 11 s 30; 1937 No 13 s 14, sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 sch 1
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.40
Public trustee to act as Supreme Court directs 
s 97	am 1930 No 11 s 31; 1937 No 13 s 15, sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 s 15, sch 1
Public trustee may obtain directions of Supreme Court 
s 97A	ins 1937 No 13 s 16
	am 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 s 16, sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch; A2006-40 amdt 2.41; ss renum R13 LA
Proceedings for estates administered by the public trustee
s 98	am 1930 No 11 s 32; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1985 No 9 sch 1
	sub A2008-7 amdt 1.13
Payment of debts
s 99	am 1937 No 13 s 17
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Payment to relatives etc in petty cases
s 100	am 1930 No 11 s 33; 1937 No 13 sch
	om 1965 No 20 s 48
Accounts to be kept etc 
s 101	am 1937 No 13 s 18; 1965 No 20 s 49; 1985 No 9 sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
Receipt of public trustee sufficient discharge 
s 102	am 1985 No 9 s 17, sch 1; 1996 No 15 sch
Accounts to be audited by auditor-general
s 103	am 1937 No 13 s 19
	sub 1969 No 16 s 11
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
The curator to invest moneys after expiration of 6 months
s 104	am 1933 No 9 s 3; 1937 No 13 s 20, sch; 1943 No 7 s 5; 1984 No 67 sch
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Curator not liable for acts done in the performance of his duties
s 105 	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Proceeds of property of third person to be handed over to him
s 106	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Conveyance of escheated lands and disposal of proceeds of sale
s 107	am 1965 No 20 s 50; 1985 No 9 sch 1
	om 1989 No 17 s 4
Unclaimed moneys
s 108	am 1930 No 11 s 34
	sub 1965 No 20 s 51; 1969 No 16 s 12
	om 1985 No 9 sch 1
Parties entitled may apply subsequently
s 109	am 1930 No 11 s 35; 1937 No 13 sch
	sub 1965 No 20 s 51
	om 1969 No 16 s 12
Testator’s family maintenance
pt 7 hdg	sub 1953 No 5 s 3; 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Where no adequate provision made by deceased person, court may make orders, etc
s 110	om 1953 No 5 s 4
	ins 1954 No 2 s 3
	am 1967 No 9 s 8
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Court may make order for widow’s or children’s maintenance
s 111	am 1930 No 11 s 36; 1937 No 13 sch; 1953 No 5 s 5
	sub 1954 No 2 s 3
	am 1967 No 9 s 9
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Application by summons in chambers
s 112	om 1930 No 11 s 37
	ins 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Service of notice of application
s 113	am 1930 No 11 s 38; 1937 No 13 sch
	sub 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Powers of court
s 114	am 1930 No 11 s 39; 1937 No 13 sch; 1953 No 5 s 6
	sub 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Court to consider net estate and widow’s or children’s means
s 115	am 1930 No 11 s 40; 1937 No 13 sch; 1953 No 5 s 7
	sub 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Cases in which court may refuse application
s 116	am 1930 No 11 s 41; 1937 No 13 sch
	sub 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Contents of order
s 117	am 1938 No 35 sch 2; 1953 No 5 s 8
	sub 1954 No 2 s 3
	om 1969 No 16 s 13
Adjustment of duty
s 118	om 1954 No 2 s 3
Time within which application to be made
s 119	sub 1953 No 5 s 9
	om 1954 No 2 s 3
Practice
s 120	om 1930 No 11 s 42
Procedure
pt 8 hdg	om A2006-40 amdt 2.42
Method of taking evidence
s 121	am 2002 No 40 amdt 3.2
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.42
Trial of question of fact by jury
s 122	om 1965 No 20 s 52
Question to be stated
s 123	om 1965 No 20 s 52
Order to produce instrument purporting to be testamentary 
s 124	am 1930 No 11 s 43; 1937 No 13 sch; 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.42
Registrar to keep record of probates etc 
s 125	am 1965 No 20 s 53; paragraphs renum R6 LA
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.43
Proved wills and other documents to be held by Supreme Court 
s 125A	ins 1965 No 20 s 54
	am 1984 No 67 sch; 1996 No 15 sch
Official certificate or copy of grants and wills obtainable 
s 125B	ins 1965 No 20 s 54
	am 1980 No 8 s 4; 1984 No 67 sch; 1993 No 91 sch 3; A2004‑60 amdt 1.2
Costs
s 126	am 1965 No 20 s 55
	om A2006-40 amdt 2.43
Person fraudulently disposing of will liable for damages 
s 127	sub 1965 No 20 s 56
Application of amendments made by Administration and Probate (Amendment) Act 1996
s 128	om 1937 No 13 s 21
	ins 2000 No 80 amdt 3.1
Rules
s 129	am 1930 No 11 s 44; 1937 No 13 sch; 1937 No 27 sch 2; 1984 No 67 sch
	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
Seal of the court
s 129A	ins 1934 No 2 s 3
	om 1965 No 20 s 57

s 130	am 1930 No 11 s 45; 1974 No 43 s 3
	om 1980 No 8 s 5
Transitional
pt 10 hdg	om 1980 No 8 s 5
	ins A2006-40 amdt 2.44
	om R15 LA
Things done by registrar of probates etc
s 150	ins A2006-40 amdt 2.44
	exp 29 March 2007 (s 150 (4) (LA s 88 declaration applies))
Schedules
schedules hdg	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
Schedule 1
sch 1 hdg	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
sch 1	sub 1930 No 11 s 46
	am 1938 No 35 sch 2
	om 1999 No 66 sch 3
Schedule 2
sch 2	om 1960 No 6 s 4
Fees
sch 3	sub 1960 No 6 s 4
	sub 1967 No 9 s 10; 1974 No 27 s 3
	om 1980 No 8 s 6
Schedule 4
sch 4	ins 1965 No 20 s 58
Order of application of assets if estate solvent
pt 4.1 hdg 	(prev pt 1 hdg) renum R6 LA
Rules about payment of debts and liabilities if estate insolvent
pt 4.2 hdg	(prev pt 2 hdg) renum R6 LA
Commonwealth countries
sch 5	ins 1965 No 20 s 58
	om 1969 No 16 s 14
Distribution of intestate estate on intestacy
sch 6	ins 1967 No 9 s 11
	am 1984 No 67 s 15; 1989 No 17 s 5; 1989 No 38 sch 1; 1996 No 15 s 16; A2004-2 amdt 1.8; A2008-7 amdt 1.14
Distribution of estate if intestate survived by partner
pt 6.1 hdg	(prev sch 6 pt 1 hdg) renum R6 LA
	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Distribution of estate if intestate not survived by partner
pt 6.2 hdg	(prev sch 6 pt 2 hdg) renum R6 LA
	am A2004-2 amdt 1.8
Dictionary
dict	ins A2007-3 amdt 3.12
	def administration am 1937 No 13 s 3
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def administration bond ins A2003-2 s 4
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def administrator am 1937 No 13 s 3
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def distribute ins 1937 No 13 s 3
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def dwelling house ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def election ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def eligible partner ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def intestate ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def original executor ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def partner ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def personal chattels ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def personal representative ins A2008-7 amdt 1.15
	def prescribed reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def probate ins 1932 No 13 s 2
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def public trustee ins A2007-3 amdt 3.12
	def purposes of administration reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def registrar ins 1994 No 97 sch pt 1
	sub A2006-40 amdt 2.2
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def representation reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	sub A2008-7 amdt 1.16
	def rules am 1930 No 11 s 3
	sub 1999 No 66 sch 3; A2004-60 amdt 1.1
	am A2007-3 amdt 3.7
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
	def will ins 1965 No 20 s 4
	reloc from s 5 A2007-3 amdt 3.8
5	Earlier republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order.  
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register.  A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1.  Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical. 

Republication No	Amendments to	Republication date	
1	Act 1991 No 20	31 August 1991	
2	Act 1993 No 91	31 January 1994	
3	Act 1994 No 97	31 January 1995	
4	Act 1996 No 15	30 November 1996	
5	Act 1998 No 42	31 August 1999	
6	Act 2001 No 56	9 May 2002	
7	Act 2002 No 27	10 September 2002	
8	Act 2002 No 40	1 November 2002	
9	A2003-2	31 March 2003	
10	A2004-2	22 March 2004	
11	A2004-60	10 January 2005	
12	A2005-60	22 December 2005	
13	A2006-40	29 September 2006	
14	A2007-3	28 March 2007	
15	A2007-3	30 March 2007	
16	A2007-3	12 April 2007	

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