Deceased estate services

(Music plays).

[Visual: video title ‘QPT Queensland Public Trustee. Our Deceased Estate Services].

Narrator:

Welcome to the Queensland Public Trustee, a part of the Queensland Government that provides services to help people make a will and administer their estate. In this video, we'll explain what happens when you're a beneficiary of a deceased estate being managed by the Queensland Public Trustee. Losing a loved one is never easy and managing their estate can feel overwhelming. This video explains the steps we take when we administer a deceased estate, and how we involve you in the process.

[Visual: Camera zooms into a QPT office building where we see a representative comforting a person who has recently lost a loved one].

Narrator:

Our role starts when we learn of someone's passing and ends when all of their estate has been provided to the beneficiaries. Most estates take about 12 months to finalise. This time frame allows us to complete important steps like selling assets, ensuring all beneficiaries are located, and resolving legal and/or tax issues. We keep you informed along the way of any issues that may cause delays.

[Visual: A photo of the deceased appears. Next to them, a calendar showing a passing of time over 12 months. Icons appear showing a house being sold, a location on a map representing beneficiaries are located, and an icon depicting a judge’s hammer representing the task to resolve legal and tax issues. These three icons are placed into an envelope titled ‘To Beneficiary’ and sealed].

Narrator:

Here are the steps we take to administer a deceased estate. First, we meet with a friend or relative of the deceased to collect information and documents, so we can better understand the estate. Once we have this information, we can accept administration of the estate. If there is a will, we will contact the beneficiaries named in the will to explain the next steps. We then apply to the Supreme Court for legal authority to manage the estate, called a Grant of Administration.

[Visual: A relative of the deceased meets with a QPT representative and provides them information and documentation required to understand the estate. The QPT representative is then shown to apply to the Supreme Court using an icon depicting a Grant of Administration which is approved with a stamp reading ‘Court approved – authority to act’.]

Narrator:

Next, we identify and confirm the estate assets and liabilities. We contact organisations to confirm the value of assets, such as cash and property, and any money owed by the estate, such as loans and other debts. This helps us to understand the amount of work involved in administering the estate.

[Visual: QPT rep assesses the complexity of the Estate and formalises a quote on their computer.]

Narrator:

We contact the beneficiaries to confirm their entitlements. Fees vary depending on the complexity of the estate. We provide a quote upfront for the fees that will be charged to administer the estate, and will keep you informed of any changes that may impact the fees.

[Visual: A beneficiary receives the quote and reviews it.]

Narrator:

Once we have authority from the court to administer the estate, we can manage the assets and liabilities. We do things like collect income, pay debts, close accounts, sell assets and process tax returns. We work with you and the other beneficiaries to ensure the wishes expressed in the will are carried out. If there is no will, we distribute the estate according to Queensland's intestacy laws, which outline how assets are shared when someone passes away without a will.

[Visual: The screen splits 4-ways with a beneficiary shown in each one. A pop-up graphic appears over the top, and shows an example of an Estate distribution based on Queensland’s intestacy laws. In this example, we see the deceased at the top of a flow chart. Two lines draw from the deceased and go down the left and right sides of the screen. Both lines connect with two beneficiaries, and the direct children of the deceased. The adult child on the left is deceased, and the one on the right-side is alive. The two lines continue down to the grandchildren, with one on the left of the deceased adult child, and two grandchildren for the adult child who is still alive.]

Narrator:

When there is a will, we work with the named beneficiaries and consider their views wherever possible for decisions we make along the way. In some cases, we may make an interim distribution before the estate is fully finalised. As long as there are no disputes to be resolved, we can then distribute the estate assets to the beneficiaries.

[Visual: the 4-way split screen returns, with a circle appearing in the middle showing a QPT representative engaging with the beneficiaries. The screen changes, and we are shown a pie graph depicting the split of the interim distribution of the trust. There is a chunk of the pie for each of the four beneficiaries, and a fifth slice titled ‘Reserved for finalisation’.]

Narrator:

The last step is to finalise the estate. Once the estate is finalised, beneficiaries who receive a portion of the estate will also receive a final statement of transactions that includes how assets were distributed, debts paid, and fees charged. We hope this gives you a better understanding of how a deceased estate works and the services we provide. Administering an estate can take time and our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

[Visual: A beneficiary sitting at home receives the final statement of transactions from QPT. A friend is helping them pack up their deceased loved one’s personal belongings, before smiling at a photo of them. Camera pulls back from the beneficiaries house before video transitions to the end screen.]

Narrator:

If you have questions or need support, our team is here to help. You can contact us on 1300 360 044 or visit our website.

[Visual: screen transitions to the end frame. The end frame has the QPT Queensland Public Trustee logo, the phone number 1300 360 044 and the URL address www.pt.qld.gov.au/customers.]

[End of video.]