The threshold allowing the Registrar to deal with informal wills pursuant to the powers under s 9 Wills Act 1997 has been increased from $150,000 to $1,000,000.
Rule 2.09(b) of the Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2014 has been amended by the Supreme Court (Chapters II and III Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 2019.
The Registrar may exercise the powers of the Court under s 9 if satisfied by affidavit that all persons who would be affected consent to those powers being exercised by the Registrar, or, if consent is not given, the deceased person died leaving property not exceeding $1,000,000 in value.
The amendment comes into effect on 25 March 2019.
The commentaries in the By Lawyers Victorian Estates publication for both Probate and Letters of Administration can provide assistance with informal wills.