WILLS PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMEND MENT) ACT. Act No. 49, 1932.
An Act to amend the law relating to wills pro bate and administration; to amend the Wills Probate and Administration Act, 1898, and certain other Acts; and for purposes connected therewith. [Assented to, 21st December, 1932.]
E i t enacted by t h e K i n g ' s M o s t E x c e l l e n t M a j e s t y , b y arid w i t h t h e advice a n d c o n s e n t of t h e L e g i s  l a t i v e C o u n c i l a n d Legislative A s s e m b l y of. N e w S o u t h W a l e s i n P a r l i a m e n t assembled, a n d b y t h e a u t h o r i t y of t h e same, as follows :-- 1. (1) This A c t m a y b e cited as t h e " W i l l s P r o b a t e and Administration (Amendment) Act, 1932." (2) T h i s A c t shall b e c o n s t r u e d w i t h t h e W i l l s Probate and Administration Act, 1898, and any Acts amending the same. (3) T h e W i l l s P r o b a t e a n d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A c t . 1898, as so a m e n d e d , is referred to i n t h i s A c t as t h e Principal Act. (4) T h e P r i n c i p a l A c t , as amended b y t h i s A c t , m a y b e cited as t h e " W i l l s P r o b a t e a n d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Act, 1898-1932." 2 . A f t e r section forty of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t t h e following sections a r e inserted :-- 4 0 A . (1) W h e r e t h e c o u r t is satisfied, w h e t h e r b y direct evidence or on p r e s u m p t i o n of d e a t h , t h a t a n y p e r s o n is dead, t h e c o u r t shall h a v e j u r i s d i c t i o n to g r a n t p r o b a t e of his will or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of his e s t a t e , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h a t it m a y s u b s e q u e n t l y a p p e a r t h a t h e was l i v i n g a t t h e d a t e of t h e g r a n t . (2)

B

(2) T h e provisions of this A c t , t h e T e s t a t o r ' s F a m i l y M a i n t e n a n c e a n d G u a r d i a n s h i p of I n f a n t s A c t , 1916, a n d P a r t X V of t h e C o n v e y a n c i n g A c t , 1 9 1 9 - 1 9 3 0 , relative t o a deceased person shall, u n l e s s t h e c o n t e x t or s u b j e c t - m a t t e r o t h e r w i s e indicates or r e q u i r e s , e x t e n d to a n y person w i t h respect to w h o m t h e c o u r t is satisfied in accordance w i t h subsection one of this section t h a t h e is dead. (3) The provisions of t h i s section s h a l l e x t e n d t o a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n was m a d e before, as well as to a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t is m a d e after t h e c o m m e n c e  m e n t of t h e W i l l s P r o b a t e a n d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( A m e n d m e n t ) A c t , 1932, provided t h a t n o t h i n g i n t h i s section s h a l l affect a n y action or p r o c e e d i n g decided before or p e n d i n g a t t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t of that Act. 40 B . (1) If a g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n is m a d e on p r e s u m p t i o n of d e a t h o n l y , t h e provisions of this section shall h a v e effect. (2) T h e g r a n t shall be expressed to be m a d e o n p r e s u m p t i o n of d e a t h only. (3) T h e e s t a t e shall n o t w i t h o u t t h e leave of t h e c o u r t . be distributed

T h e leave m a y be given in t h e g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n or by o t h e r order, a n d e i t h e r u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y or s u b j e c t to s u c h conditions as t h e c o u r t d e e m s reasonable, a n d in p a r t i c u l a r , if t h e c o u r t t h i n k s lit, s u b j e c t to a n u n d e r t a k i n g b e i n g entered i n t o or s e c u r i t y b e i n g g i v e n by a n y person w h o takes u n d e r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n t h a t h e will restore a n y m o n e y or p r o p e r t y received b y h i m or t h e a m o u n t or v a l u e thereof in t h e e v e n t of t h e g r a n t b e i n g revoked. (4) T h e c o u r t m a y direct t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r before d i s t r i b u t i n g t h e e s t a t e to give s u c h notices as t h e c o u r t d e e m s p r o p e r i n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , in o r d e r t h a t t h e p e r s o n whose d e a t h has b e e n p r e s u m e d , if h e is still l i v i n g , or if h e h a s died since t h e d a t e of t h e g r a n t , t h e n in

in o r d e r t h a t a n y p e r s o n i n t e r e s t e d in t h e estate m a y l o d g e w i t h t h e r e g i s t r a r w i t h i n s u c h t i m e as m a y be specified a caveat a g a i n s t t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n . If t h e c o u r t directs a n y such notice to be given, t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r shall n o t h a v e t h e benefit of section n i n e t y - t w o of t h i s A c t , u n l e s s h e complies w i t h t h e direction. If a caveat is d u l y lodged w i t h i n s u c h t i m e as m a y b e specified, t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r s h a l l n o t d i s t r i b u t e t h e estate u n t i l t h e caveat is w i t h d r a w n or r e m o v e d . (5) A n application for leave to d i s t r i b u t e t h e estate a n d for directions may b e m a d e , a n d a c a v e a t m a y be lodged w i t h d r a w n or r e m o v e d , as prescribed b y rules of court, a n d t h e P r o b a t e J u d g e m a y m a k e s u c h order in respect of costs a n d o t h e r w i s e as h e deems proper. (6) T h e provisions of t h i s section, w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of subsection t w o , shall e x t e n d t o a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n was m a d e before, as well as to a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t is m a d e after t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t of t h e W i l l s P r o b a t e a n d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( A m e n d m e n t ) A c t , 1932, b u t s h a l l n o t affect a n y d i s t r i b u t i o n m a d e before s u c h commencement. 4 0 c . (1) W h e r e t h e c o u r t g r a n t s p r o b a t e of t h e will or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of t h e e s t a t e of a n y person, a n d it s u b s e q u e n t l y a p p e a r s t h a t he was l i v i n g at t h e d a t e of t h e g r a n t , t h e c o u r t shall r e v o k e t h e g r a n t on s u c h t e r m s , if a n y , w i t h respect to a n y proceedings a t l a w or in e q u i t y c o m m e n c e d by or a g a i n s t t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r , a n d in respect of costs a n d o t h e r w i s e , as t h e c o u r t t h i n k s proper. (2) P r o c e e d i n g s for t h e r e v o c a t i o n m a y b e t a k e n e i t h e r b y t h e person himself, or if h e has died since t h e d a t e of t h e g r a n t , b y a n y person e n t i t l e d to a p p l y for p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n or by a n y person i n t e r e s t e d in t h e estate. T h e proceedings m a y b e b y suit or otherwise as p r e s c r i b e d by r u l e s of c o u r t . (3)

(3) T h e c o u r t m a y a t a n y t i m e , w h e t h e r before or after t h e revocation, m a k e s u c h orders, i n c l u d i n g a n o r d e r for a n i n j u n c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r or a n y o t h e r p e r s o n , a n d a n order for t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of a receiver, as t h e c o u r t m a y d e e m p r o p e r for p r o t e c t i n g t h e e s t a t e . (4) T h e provisions of t h i s section s h a l l e x t e n d t o a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n w a s m a d e before, as well as to a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t is m a d e after t h e c o m m e n c e  m e n t of t h e W i l l s P r o b a t e a n d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( A m e n d m e n t ) A c t , 1932. 4 0 D . (1) I f a g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n is r e v o k e d u n d e r section 40c of this A c t , t h e provisions of t h i s section shall h a v e effect. (2) T h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r u n d e r t h e r e v o k e d g r a n t shall b e b o u n d d u l y to a c c o u n t a n d to p a y a n d t r a n s f e r all m o n e y and p r o p e r t y received by or vested i n h i m as s u c h e x e c u t o r or administrator and t h e n remaining in his hands as t h e c o u r t may direct, b u t shall n o t b e liable for a n y m o n e y or p r o p e r t y p a i d or t r a n s f e r r e d b y h i m i n good f a i t h u n d e r t h e p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n before t h e r e v o c a t i o n . N o t h i n g i n t h i s s u b s e c t i o n s h a l l affect a n y c o m  mission p r o t e c t i o n i n d e m n i t y r e i m b u r s e m e n t or r i g h t t o w h i c h t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r is e n t i t l e d u n d e r a n y o t h e r provision of t h i s A c t . (3) T h e r e v o c a t i o n s h a l l n o t i n v a l i d a t e a n y p a y m e n t or t r a n s f e r l a w f u l l y m a d e b y or t o t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r in t h e c o u r s e of a d m i n  i s t r a t i o n before t h e revocation, b u t n o t h i n g i n t h i s s u b s e c t i o n shall p r e j u d i c e t h e r i g h t of t h e p e r s o n himself, or if h e h a s died since t h e d a t e of t h e g r a n t , t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r t o w h o m a g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n is m a d e con s e q u e n t on t h e revocation, or a n y o t h e r person, to follow assets i n t o t h e h a n d s of t h e persons or a n y of t h e m a m o n g w h o m t h e s a m e m a y h a v e b e e n d i s t r i b u t e d , or w h o m a y h a v e received t h e s a m e . (4)

(4) T h e p e r s o n himself, or if h e h a s died since t h e date of t h e g r a n t , t h e e x e c u t o r or a d m i n i s t r a t o r to w h o m a g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n is m a d e c o n s e q u e n t on t h e revocation, shall b e e n t i t l e d to receive from t h e Consolidated R e v e n u e F u n d t h e a m o u n t of d e a t h d u t y p a i d t h e r e t o i n r e s p e c t of t h e r e v o k e d g r a n t . (5) T h e c o u r t m a y m a k e s u c h v e s t i n g order as it deems p r o p e r . (6) T h e provisions of t h i s section, w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of s u b s e c t i o n four, shall e x t e n d to a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n w a s m a d e before, as w e l l as to a case w h e r e t h e g r a n t is m a d e after t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t of t h e Wills' Probate and Administration (Amendment) Act, 1932. 3 . Section f o r t y - t h r e e of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t is a m e n d e d b y o m i t t i n g p a r a g r a p h (b) a n d i n s e r t i n g i n lieu thereof the following:-- (b) t h e p a s s i n g a n d a l l o w a n c e of t h e a c c o u n t s of executors and administrators, including the a l l o w a n c e of commission or p e r c e n t a g e to e x e c u t o r s a d m i n i s t r a t o r s a n d t r u s t e e s for t h e i r pains a n d t r o u b l e . 4 . Section fifty-four of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t (as i n s e r t e d t h e r e i n b y section t h r e e of t h e Administration A m e n d i n g A c t , 1906) is o m i t t e d a n d t h e following section i n s e r t e d in lieu t h e r e o f : -- 54. T h e c o u r t s h a l l h a v e t h e same p o w e r a n d j u r i s d i c t i o n as t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t i n its e q u i t a b l e j u r i s d i c t i o n to a u t h o r i s e t h e application of t h e s h a r e or i n t e r e s t of a n y infant u n d e r a n y will or i n t e s t a c y for t h e benefit of t h e i n f a n t . 5 . Section s i x t y - o n e of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t is a m e n d e d b y o m i t t i n g t h e words " Chief J u s t i c e , or if t h e r e shall be n o Chief J u s t i c e , t h e n i n t h e senior p u i s n e j u d g e for t h e t i m e b e i n g " a n d b y i n s e r t i n g i n lieu thereof t h e words " P u b l i c T r u s t e e . "

6.

6 . Section e i g h t y - o n e of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t is a m e n d e d b y i n s e r t i n g a t t h e e n d thereof t h e following s u b  section :-- (3) I f t h e g r a n t of p r o b a t e or a d m i n i s t r a t i o n is r e v o k e d u n d e r t h e provisions of section 4 0 c of t h i s A c t , t h e c o u r t in w h i c h t h e proceedings are p e n d i n g m a y i n lieu of t h e s u g g e s t i o n referred to in s u b  section one of t h i s section, order t h a t s u c h s u g g e s t i o n be m a d e as i t d e e m s proper, a n d t h e r e upon t h e proceedings shall be c o n t i n u e d in t h e n a m e of s u c h person as t h e c o u r t directs as if t h e p r o  ceedings h a d b e e n o r i g i n a l l y c o m m e n c e d by or a g a i n s t t h a t person, b u t s u b j e c t to s u c h conditions a n d v a r i a t i o n s , if a n y , as t h e c o u r t directs, or t h e c o u r t m a y s t a y t h e proceedings on s u c h t e r m s i n respect of costs or o t h e r w i s e as it t h i n k s j u s t . 7. (1) A l l wills deposited w i t h t h e R e g i s t r a r - G e n e r a l in p u r s u a n c e of section t h i r t y - t w o of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t or of a n y section t h e r e b y replaced shall, on a d a y to b e a p p o i n t e d by t h e G o v e r n o r a n d notified b y p r o c l a m a t i o n p u b l i s h e d in t h e G a z e t t e , bo h a n d e d over b y t h e R e g i s t r a r - G e n e r a l to t h e R e g i s t r a r of P r o b a t e s t o g e t h e r w i t h a n y indices thereof or p a p e r s or d o c u m e n t s r e l a t i v e to a n y will so to b e h a n d e d over, a n d s u c h wills s h a l l as a n d from s u c h d a y so a p p o i n t e d be d e e m e d to b e deposited i n t h e office of t h e said r e g i s t r a r i n p u r s u a n c e of t h e provisions of section t h i r t y - t w o of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t as a m e n d e d b y t h i s section. (2) A s from t h e day a p p o i n t e d in p u r s u a n c e of s u b s e c t i o n one of t h i s section,-- (a) Section t h i r t y - t w o of t h e P r i n c i p a l A c t is amended-- (i) b y o m i t t i n g t h e words " t h e R e g i s t r a r G e n e r a l " wherever occurring and by i n s e r t i n g i n lieu thereof t h e words " t h e R e g i s t r a r of P r o b a t e s " ; (ii) b y i n s e r t i n g a t t h e e n d thereof t h e following n e w s u b s e c t i o n :-- (2) R u l e s of c o u r t m a y prescribe t h e fees to be paid for r e c e i v i n g a n d n o t i n g any

any will so deposited, for searches in t h e index; of deposited wills, and for t h e delivery or r e t u r n of t h e will to t h e persons e n t i t l e d to receive t h e same. U n t i l rules of c o u r t in t h a t behalf a r e m a d e t h e fees shall he t h o s e prescribed u n d e r section t w o h u n d r e d and t w o of the C o n v e y a n c i n g A c t , 1 0 1 9 - 1 9 3 0 . (b) Section f o r t y - t w o of t h e Principal A c t is a m e n d e d by o m i t t i n g from subsection t h r e e thereof t h e words " t h e R e g i s t r a r - G e n e r a l " a n d by i n s e r t i n g in lieu thereof t h e words " t h e Registrar." (c) Section one h u n d r e d a n d four of t h e P r i n c i p a l Act is a m e n d e d by o m i t t i n g from p a r a g r a p h (d) of subsection one thereof t h e words " t h e R e g i s t r a r - G e n e r a l " a n d by i n s e r t i n g in lieu thereof t h e words " h i m or with t h e P u b l i c Trustee." 8 . (1) T h e W i l l s P r o b a t e a n d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n A c t , 1 8 9 8 , is f u r t h e r a m e n d e d -- (a) b y o m i t t i n g from section one t h e figures " 151," " 1 5 2 " a n d " 1 5 0 " and by i n s e r t i n g in lieu thereof t h e figures " 1 5 0 , " " 1 5 1 " a n d " 155 " respectively ; (b) by o m i t t i n g from subsection t w o of section forty-six t h e words " subject t o t h e provisions of section fifty-six hereof " ; (c) by o m i t t i n g from s u b s e c t i o n two of section sixty-four t h e word " C u r a t o r " a n d by i n s e r t i n g in lieu thereof t h e words " P u b l i c T r u s t e e " ; (d) b y o m i t t i n g from section one h u n d r e d a n d t e n t h e words " C u r a t o r of i n t e s t a t e estates " a n d by i n s e r t i n g in lieu thereof t h e w o r d s " P u b l i c Trustee"; (e) by o m i t t i n g t h e Second Schedule. (2)

(2) Subsections two and three of section eighty-two of the Wills Probate and Administration Act, 1898, as originally enacted, shall be renumbered as subsections three and four respectively. (3) The Administration Amending Act, 1906, is amended by omitting section three.