XN000022-1983-06-29 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1983

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PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION ORDINANCE WAS MOVED THROUGH ITS FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT. IN HIS CAPACITY AS OFFICIAL ADMINSTRATOR MAY SUMMARILY ADMINISTER THE ESTATE OF A DECEASED PERSON IF HE IS OF THE OPINION THAT IT DOES NOT EXCEED $20 000 IN VALUE.

THE PROBATE AND ADMINSTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 PROPOSES TO RAISE THIS LIMIT TO $50 000.

THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON GARTH NAZARETH, DESCRIBED THE PROVISION IN THE MAIN ORDINANCE AS BEING USEFUL AND SENSIBLE, ENABLING SMALL ESTATES TO BE ADMINSTERED INEXPENSIVELY, SIMPLY AND QUICKLY.

+NOT SURPRISINGLY, THEREFORE, THE NUMBER OF ESTATES SO ADMINISTERED HAS RISEN BY AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 16 PER CENT IN EACH OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS TO A TOTAL OF 1 671 IN 1982/83.

+IF INFLATION HAD NOT SEVERELY ERODED THE REAL VALUE OF THE $20 000 LIMIT, WHICH WAS FIXED IN 1971 WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED, IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE NUMBER WOULD HAVE RISEN EVEN MORE STEEPLY, MR NAZARETH SAID.

HE SAID THAT THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN CONSULTED ABOUT THE PROPOSED INCREASE.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TILL JULY 13.

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