Six weeks until the launch of electronic filing (eFiling) for probate matters
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The Supreme Court postponed the launch of its eFiling system, RedCrest-Probate, as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The launch will now be on 1 July 2020. From that date all applications and dealings with the Probate Office must be filed online.
For important information about the transition to RedCrest-Probate, please see the Notice to the Profession issued by the Registrar of Probates.
Benefits of eFiling
RedCrest-Probate is designed to provide an efficient method of eFiling for solicitors and people representing themselves to:
- prepare documents, with the assistance of pre-populated forms
- lodge documents electronically at any time of the day, from anywhere
- receive live application status updates.
How will eFiling work?
When an application for a grant is made in RedCrest-Probate, answering a series of guided questions will pre-populate the originating motion, supporting affidavit and the inventory of assets and liabilities.
The person who lodges the application will have access to view the original online grant, after it has been issued. A unique identifier will be linked to the grant so that anyone else provided with it, such as asset-holders, will also be able to view the grant online.
From 1 July 2020:
- Original sworn/affirmed affidavits no longer need to be delivered to the Probate Office.
- The original will/codicil must be filed in the Probate Office within 28 days of submitting an application on RedCrest-Probate, by post.
- A copy of the originating motion created by RedCrest-Probate must be included when filing the original will with the Probate Office.
- The original grant will be digital. A printed grant will no longer be issued.
The advertisement process through the Probate Online Advertising System (POAS) remains the same. For further information, see the Supreme Court (Probate and Administration) Rules 2014