Changes to Public Trustee Act Increase Efficiency

The province is making it easier and faster for Nova Scotia families to deal with estates valued at $25,000 or less through a proposed change to the Public Trustee Act, introduced today, April 13.

The change allows the public trustee, an independent body, to administer those estates using a simple and efficient process that currently applies only to estates of $10,000 or less.

"This will help many Nova Scotians through a difficult process at a difficult time," said Ross Landry, Minister of Justice. "These changes simplify the process and will help to settle these estates faster and more efficiently."

This method of administering estates is called election and is at the discretion of the public trustee.

Key advantages of public trustee administration include reduced paperwork, such as using a simple court of probate form instead of a full court hearing. The time needed for final resolution can be months shorter.

It will also save money. The probate court charges nearly $200 to open and close an estate valued at more than $10,000 and less than $25,000. With the change to the act, the public trustee can use the simplified probate document for estates of less than $25,000. It costs $1 to file.

The Public Trustee of Nova Scotia protects the financial and personal well-being of its clients.