The death of a partner is one of the most difficult financial situations anyone navigates — and most of the financial tasks must be completed under grief, often with time pressure. This guide sets out what needs to happen, when, and in what order.
Immediately after a partner's death: obtain the death certificate (multiple certified copies), notify your bank, locate the will, and contact any life insurance providers. Most financial and estate tasks can wait days or weeks — focus on what is urgent first. You will need probate if the estate includes assets over approximately $15,000 held solely in the deceased's name.
The First 72 Hours — What’s Urgent
| Task | Why urgent |
|---|---|
| Obtain death certificate | Required for almost every other financial step |
| Notify bank (joint accounts) | Access to joint accounts continues; sole accounts may be frozen |
| Locate the will | Establishes who the executor is and who inherits |
| Contact a funeral director | The funeral must be arranged within days |
| Notify immediate family | They may need to make arrangements or travel |
Everything else can wait until after the funeral.
Death Certificate — Get Multiple Copies
You’ll need certified copies of the death certificate for:
- Banks and building societies
- Insurance companies
- IRD / Inland Revenue
- KiwiSaver provider
- WINZ / Work and Income
- Land titles (if property is involved)
- Employer (for any final pay entitlements)
Order at least 8–10 certified copies. Each copy costs approximately $30 from Births, Deaths and Marriages (bdm.govt.nz). You can order online or at a service centre.
Bank Accounts
Joint accounts
Joint bank accounts automatically pass to the surviving account holder — the funds are accessible immediately. You may need to provide the death certificate to update records and remove the deceased’s name.
Sole accounts (in the deceased’s name only)
Accounts held solely in the deceased’s name are frozen upon notification of death. They can only be accessed through the estate process (probate or small estate process).
Practical note: If your partner had a sole account and you need access to money urgently, contact the bank — most NZ banks will release a limited amount for funeral and immediate living costs before probate is granted.
Locating and Probating the Will
If there is a will
The person named as executor is responsible for administering the estate. If the estate includes assets over approximately $15,000 held solely in the deceased’s name, probate is typically required.
Probate is the court process that confirms the will is valid and gives the executor legal authority to deal with the estate’s assets. Apply through the High Court — most executors use a lawyer.
Typical probate costs: $1,500 – $3,000 in legal fees plus court fees (~$200).
If there is no will (intestate)
Without a will, the estate is distributed under the Administration Act 1969:
| Relationship | Share of estate |
|---|---|
| Spouse / de facto partner | First $155,000 + personal chattels, then one-third of remaining estate |
| Children | Two-thirds of estate above $155,000 (split equally) |
| No children — spouse only | Entire estate |
A surviving partner must apply for letters of administration (similar process to probate) to access and distribute the estate.
KiwiSaver — What Happens
KiwiSaver balances do not pass through the will automatically. Instead, they are paid to:
- The nominated beneficiary (whoever the deceased nominated with their provider), or
- If no nomination exists — to the estate, distributed according to the will or intestacy rules
To claim a KiwiSaver balance:
- Contact the deceased’s KiwiSaver provider directly
- Provide death certificate, your identity documents, and proof of relationship/beneficiary status
- The provider will process the claim — this typically takes 4–10 weeks
KiwiSaver balances paid to a beneficiary are not subject to income tax.
Life Insurance Claims
Contact the insurance provider as soon as possible after the death. You will typically need:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- The policy documents (or policy number)
- Proof of your identity and relationship to the deceased
- Completed claim form (the insurer provides this)
Most life insurance claims are processed within 4–8 weeks. Complex claims (contestability period within 2 years of policy commencement, or circumstances of death under review) may take longer.
IRD — Tax After Death
Final tax return
A final income tax return (IR3) must be filed for the deceased covering the period from 1 April to the date of death. The executor is responsible for filing this. IRD must also be notified of the death.
Student loan
A student loan is written off entirely on death — it does not pass to the estate or the surviving partner.
KiwiSaver government contributions
Any government KiwiSaver contributions that were pending are paid into the account and then distributed with the rest of the balance.
Work and Income — Changes to Benefits
If you or your partner were receiving:
| Payment | What happens |
|---|---|
| NZ Super (joint couple rate) | Must notify Work and Income — your rate changes to the single rate |
| NZ Super (surviving partner under 65) | Survivor’s benefit may apply (Jobseeker or Sole Parent Support depending on circumstances) |
| Any joint benefit | Must be updated within 20 working days |
| Winter Energy Payment | Automatically adjusts based on updated household |
Survivor’s allowance: If you’re under 65 and your partner dies, contact Work and Income about your options. You may be entitled to Jobseeker Support while you adjust.
Property — The Family Home
If jointly owned (joint tenancy)
The most common ownership structure for couples. On death, the surviving partner automatically inherits the deceased’s share — no probate required. You’ll need to update the title at Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), which requires the death certificate.
If owned as tenants in common
The deceased’s share passes through the estate (will or intestacy rules). This requires probate before the title can be updated.
If owned solely in the deceased’s name
The property is an estate asset and passes according to the will. The surviving partner may have a claim under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 even if not in the will.
Property (Relationships) Act — Surviving Partner’s Rights
Even if a will leaves everything to someone else, a surviving spouse or de facto partner (of 3+ years) has rights under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 to claim their share of relationship property (typically 50%). This claim must be made within 12 months of death.
This is particularly important for blended families where the deceased’s will may favour children from a previous relationship.
Insurance Policies to Review After Bereavement
Check all insurance policies and update:
- Home and contents insurance (update named insured)
- Car insurance (update policyholder)
- Health insurance (may lapse if partner was the policy holder)
- Any income protection insurance (cancel if no longer needed; retain if still employed)
Checklist Summary — Weeks 1–4
Within 72 hours:
- Obtain death certificate (order 8–10 copies)
- Notify bank about joint/sole accounts
- Locate the will; identify executor
Within 2 weeks:
- Arrange funeral
- Notify Work and Income of change in household
- Contact life insurance providers
- Contact KiwiSaver provider
Within 4 weeks:
- Apply for probate (if needed) — engage a lawyer
- Notify IRD of the death
- Update insurance policies
- Update property title (if jointly owned — LINZ)
- Review and update your own will, KiwiSaver nomination, insurance beneficiaries
Within 12 months:
- File the deceased’s final tax return (IR3)
- Distribute the estate
- Consider your own financial position — income, budget, retirement planning