Western Australia: Administration Act 1903 (WA)

Western Australia Administration Act 1903 Western Australia Administration Act 1903 Contents Part I — Preliminary 1. Short title and construction 2 3. Terms used 2 3A. Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013 Pt. 2 applies 3 Part II — Probate and administration 4. Jurisdiction of Court as heretofore 4 5. Duties of Principal Registrar 4 6. Power to grant probate and administration 4 7. Probate may be granted to one or more executors 4 8. Upon grant of probate or administration real and personal estate to vest in executor or administrator 4 9. Real estate to vest subject to trusts 5 10. Real and personal estate to be assets 5 10A. Insolvent estates 6 11. Subject as aforesaid real estate to vest according to will 6 12. Executor to have same rights and duties as to real estate as heretofore as to personal estate 6 12A. Entitlement to participation in distribution of intestate estates 7 12B. Relationships of whole and half blood 8 13. Real and personal estate in case of intestacy 8 14. Entitlements on intestacy 9 14A. Order declaring sum that is to apply for specified item 18 14B. Minister must review sums for specified items 19 15. De facto partners and distribution on intestacy 19 16. Courtesy and dower abolished 21 17. Court may deal with interest of infants in certain cases 21 17A. Power to appoint trustees of infant's property 22 19. Court may direct partition of real estate 23 20. Personal representative may relinquish trust 24 21. Executor or administrator to represent real estate 24 23. All creditors to stand in equal degree 24 24. Administration in case of intestacy 25 25. Persons entitled to administration 25 26. Power to require administrator to produce sureties 25 29. Court may revoke grant of administration 27 32. In case of renunciation or failure to take probate, right of executor gone 27 33. Where infant is executor etc. 28 34. Where person entitled to probate or administration is out of the jurisdiction 28 35. Court may appoint manager and receiver pending litigation 28 36. Administration with will annexed 29 37. Probate or administration if executor etc. absent or neglects to obtain probate etc. 29 38. Special letters of administration if executor or administrator not within jurisdiction 29 39. On return of executor or administrator, special administration may be revoked 30 40. Absent executor liable to account 30 41. Revocation pending litigation not to abate proceedings 30 42. Devisee or legatee may apply to Court in certain cases 31 43. Inventory and accounts 31 44. If accounts not filed Principal Registrar to give notice etc. 32 45. Court may settle all questions arising in administration 32 46. Payments made before revocation to be valid 32 47. Payments etc. to be valid notwithstanding defect 33 47A. Protection of executors, administrators and trustees 33 53. Executor deemed to be resident in State 34 54. Court may appoint district agents 34 55. Where estate does not exceed $10 000 the Principal Registrar or district agent may act 35 56. Information to be furnished by Principal Registrar or agent 35 57. Applications to be transmitted by agent to Principal Registrar 35 58. Principal Registrar to refer matter back to agent if not satisfied 36 60. Principal Registrar may refer to Court 36 60A. Application of Family Provision Act 1972 37 Part III — Foreign probates and administration 61. Foreign probates etc. may be sealed 38 62. Power to require sureties to be provided before foreign administration sealed 38 Part IV — Caveats 63. Caveat 40 64. Court may remove caveat 40 Part V — Duties on deceased persons' estates and succession duties 71. No will to be registered or admissible in evidence until proved 41 Part VI — Miscellaneous 139. Deposits not exceeding prescribed amount in any ADI may be paid to widow or next of kin without probate or administration 42 140. Records of grants etc. 43 141. Court may appoint attorney for absent executor 43 142. Payment of balance of estate to Curator or Public Trustee of State or Colony where deceased was domiciled. Public Trustee may receive any part of estate from outside the State 44 143A. Rate of interest payable on legacies 45 143B. Saving provision as to bonds 45 144. Rules of Court 45 Fourth Schedule — Rights in respect of dwelling houses 1. Rights of surviving spouse if dwelling house is residence 47 2. Court order required in certain cases 48 3. Time limit for exercising right under par. 1 48 4. Mode of exercising right under par. 1 49 5. Determination of value 49 6. Restriction on sale during election period 49 7. Surviving spouse as sole personal representative 50 8. Surviving spouse not of full mental capacity 51 9. Terms used 51 Fifth Schedule — Rules as to payment of debts and liabilities of insolvent estates 1. Expenses having priority 52 2. Demand for unliquidated damages 52 3. Rules of bankruptcy apply 52 Notes Compilation table 53 Other notes 58 Defined terms Western Australia Administration Act 1903 An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to probate and administration and the duties on the estates of deceased persons and for other purposes. Part I — Preliminary 1. Short title and construction This Act may be cited as the Administration Act 1903 and shall be construed as one with the Supreme Court Act 1935. [Section 1 inserted: No. 57 of 1984 s. 2.] [2. Omitted under Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(f).] 3. Terms used In this Act, unless the contrary appears — administration includes letters of administration of the estate and effects of deceased persons, whether with or without the will annexed, and whether granted for general, special, or limited purposes; and also exemplification of letters of administration with or without the will annexed and such other evidence of letters of administration purporting to be under the seal of a court of competent jurisdiction as in the opinion of the Court is sufficient; administrator includes the Public Trustee and any other person to whom administration, as hereinafter defined, is granted; Court means the Supreme Court or any judge thereof; insolvent, in relation to the estate of a deceased person, means insufficient for the payment in full of the debts and liabilities of the estate of the deceased person; personal estate extends to leasehold estates and other chattels real, and also to all other property whatsoever which, prior to the coming into operation of The Real Estates Administration Act 1, by law devolved upon the executor or administrator, and to any share or interest therein; prescribed means prescribed by this Act or the rules or regulations thereunder; Principal Registrar means the person for the time being holding or acting in the office designated under the Supreme Court Act 1935, "Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court"; probate includes exemplification of probate and such other formal evidence of probate purporting to be under the seal of a court of competent jurisdiction, as in the opinion of the Court is sufficient; Public Trustee means the Public Trustee under the Public Trustee Act 1941; real estate extends to messuages, lands, rents and hereditaments of freehold or any other tenure, and whether corporeal, incorporeal, or personal, and to any undivided share thereof, and to any estate, right, or interest (other than a chattel interest) therein; registrar means a person for the time being holding or acting in an office designated under the Supreme Court Act 1935, "registrar of the Supreme Court", and a reference to a registrar may include a reference to the Principal Registrar or a deputy registrar; will extends to a testament, and to a codicil, and to an appointment by will or by writing in the nature of a will in exercise of a power and also to a disposition by will and testament, or devise of the custody and tuition of any child by virtue of the Imperial Act Twelfth Charles the Second, Chapter 24, and to any other testamentary disposition. [Section 3 amended: No. 62 of 1955 s. 2; No. 67 of 1979 s. 42; No. 72 of 1984 s. 3.] 3A. Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013 Pt. 2 applies The Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013 Part 2 applies to this Act. [Section 3A inserted: No. 34 of 2020 s. 53 Part II — Probate and administration 4. Jurisdiction of Court as heretofore The jurisdiction and authority heretofore vested in or exercised by the Court in respect of the estates of deceased persons shall continue to be so vested and exercised. 5. Duties of Principal Registrar (1) The Principal Registrar shall, subject to the rules, perform such duties as were immediately prior to the coming into operation of the Acts Amendment (Master, Supreme Court) Act 1979, performed by the Master of the Supreme Court in reference to proceedings in the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Court, and such other duties, as may be prescribed by the rules. (2) Subject to the rules the powers and authority conferred on the Principal Registrar by this Part may be exercised by a registrar. [Section 5 amended: No. 67 of 1979 s. 43.] 6. Power to grant probate and administration The Court shall have jurisdiction to grant probate of the will or administration of the estate of any deceased person leaving property, whether real or personal, in Western Australia. 7. Probate may be granted to one or more executors The Court may grant probate to one or more of the executors named in any will, reserving leave to the other, who has not renounced, to come in and apply. 8. Upon grant of probate or administration real and personal estate to vest in executor or administrator Upon the grant of probate or administration, all real and personal estate which a deceased person dies seised, possessed of, or entitled to in Western Australia shall, as from the death of such person, pass to and become vested in the executor to whom probate has been granted, or administrator for all the estate and interest of the deceased therein in the manner following, that is to say — (a) on testacy or on partial intestacy, in the executor or administrator with the will annexed; and (b) on intestacy, in the administrator. 9. Real estate to vest subject to trusts All real estate held by any person in trust shall vest as aforesaid, subject to the trusts and equities affecting the same. 10. Real and personal estate to be assets (1) The real as well as the personal estate of every deceased person shall be assets in the hands of the executor to whom probate has been granted or administrator, for the payment of all duties and fees and of the debts of the deceased in the ordinary course of administration. (2) No executor or administrator shall hereafter have or exercise any right of retainer. (3) An executor to whom probate has been granted or administrator may, for the purposes of administration, sell or lease such real estate, or mortgage the same, with or without a power of sale, and assure the same to a purchaser or mortgagee in as full and effectual a manner as the deceased could have done in his lifetime. (4) An executor or administrator of the estate of a person who dies on or after the day on which the Acts Amendment (Insolvent Estates) Act 1984 comes into operation shall not have or exercise any right to give preference as between creditors standing in equal degree. (5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), an executor or administrator who — (a) in good faith and at a time when he has no reason to believe that the estate of the deceased is insolvent, pays a debt, other than a debt payable to himself in his own right, of a person who is a creditor of the estate; or (b) not being an administrator to whom letters of administration have been granted solely by reason of his being a creditor, in good faith and at a time when he has no reason to believe that the estate of the deceased is insolvent, pays a debt payable to himself in his own right as a creditor of the estate, shall not, if it subsequently appears that the estate is insolvent, be liable to account to a creditor of the same degree as the paid creditor for the sum so paid. [Section 10 amended: No. 62 of 1955 s. 3; No. 72 of 1984 s. 4.] 10A. Insolvent estates (1) Where the estate of a person dying on or after the day on which the Acts Amendment (Insolvent Estates) Act 1984 comes into operation is insolvent, his real and personal estate shall be administered in accordance with the rules set out in the Fifth Schedule. (2) This section binds the Crown. [Section 10A inserted: No. 72 of 1984 s. 5.] 11. Subject as aforesaid real estate to vest according to will Subject as aforesaid, the real estate of every deceased person shall be held by the executor to whom probate has been granted or the administrator with the will annexed according to the trusts and dispositions of such will. 12. Executor to have same rights and duties as to real estate as heretofore as to personal estate The executor to whom probate has been granted, or administrator, shall have the same rights and be subject to the same duties with respect to the real estate of the deceased that executors or administrators respectively heretofore have had or been subject to with reference to personal assets. 12A. Entitlement to participation in distribution of intestate estates (1) Where, after the coming into operation of the Administration Act Amendment Act 1971, any person dies intestate as respects all or any of his property, for the purpose of determining who is entitled to participate in the distribution of that part of his estate to which the intestacy applies the relationship between a child and his parents shall be determined irrespective of whether the parents are or have been married to each other, and all other relationships, whether lineal or collateral, shall be determined accordingly. (2) In any proceedings where a person relies on a matter of fact made relevant by the provisions of subsection (1) — (a) that fact shall not be taken to be proved unless it is established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Court; and (b) where the parents are not, or have not been, married to each other, the relationship between a child and his parent, and all other lineal or collateral relationships, shall be recognized only — (i) if parentage is admitted by or established against the parent in his lifetime; and (ii) where the purpose for which the relationship is to be determined enures for the benefit of the parent, if parentage has been so admitted or established in the lifetime of the child. (2a) Subsection (2)(b) does not apply to or in respect of a relationship established by the Artificial Conception Act 1985. (3) The estates of all persons who have died intestate as to the whole or any part thereof before the coming into operation of the Administration Act Amendment Act 1971, shall be distributed in accordance with the enactments and rules of law which would have applied to them if that Act had not been passed. (4) The estates of all persons who have died intestate as to the whole or any part thereof before the coming into operation of Part 2 of the Acts Amendment (Lesbian and Gay Law Reform) Act 2002 shall be distributed in accordance with the enactments and rules of law which would have applied to them if that Act had not been passed. [Section 12A inserted: No. 18 of 1971 s. 3; amended: No. 14 of 1985 s. 8; No. 3 of 2002 s. 4.] 12B. Relationships of whole and half blood Where a person dies intestate as respects all or any of his property, for the purpose of determining who is entitled to participate in the distribution of that part of his estate to which the intestacy applies it is immaterial whether a relationship is of the whole blood or of the half blood. [Section 12B inserted: No. 57 of 1984 s. 3.] 13. Real and personal estate in case of intestacy (1) Where, after the coming into operation of section 4 of the Administration Act Amendment Act 1976, any person dies intestate as to all or any of his property, the administrator, or in case of partial intestacy, the executor or administrator with the will annexed, shall, subject to sections 9, 10 and 10A, hold the real and personal estate to which the intestacy applies, and which vests in him under section 8, on trust for the persons who are entitled thereto under sections 14 and 15. (1a) When, pursuant to subsection (1), real estate is held on trust for 2 or more persons, it shall be held as if it had been devised to those persons as tenants in common. (1b) The estates of all persons who have died intestate as to all or any of their property before the coming into operation of section 4 of the Administration Act Amendment Act 1976 shall be held and distributed in accordance with the enactments and rules of law which would have applied to those estates if that Act had not been passed. (2) No executor, as such, shall be entitled to take beneficially any residue not expressly disposed of by the will of the testator, unless it appear by such will that he is intended so to take. (3) Nothing herein contained shall affect or prejudice any right to which an executor would have been entitled if this Act had not been passed, in cases where there is not any person who would be entitled to the testator's estate in respect of any residue not expressly disposed of. [Section 13 amended: No. 28 of 1934 s. 77(3)(b) and (4); No. 138 of 1976 s. 3; No. 72 of 1984 s. 6; No. 25 of 2002 s. 52.] 14. Entitlements on intestacy (1A) In this section — declared sum, for a specified item, means the sum that applies for that item under an order; order means an order made by the Minister under section 14A(2); specified item means any of the following items in the Table — (a) item 2; (b) item 3(a) and (b); (c) item 3(b)(i); (d) item 6; Table means the Table to subsection (1). (1) Subject to this section and section 15, where any person (in this section called the intestate) dies intestate as to all or any of their property, the property as to which they die intestate (in this section called the intestate property) shall be distributed according to the entitlements set out in the Table — Table If the intestate — 1. dies leaving a husband or wife (whether or not other persons mentioned in item 2 or 3 also survive) the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled, absolutely, to all household chattels included in the intestate property; 2. dies leaving a husband or wife and issue (a) where the net value of the intestate property (other than the household chattels) does not exceed the sum of $472 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 2 applicable to the intestate, that sum) — the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled to the whole of the intestate property; (Note provisions of subsection (3)) (b) where the net value of the intestate property (other than the household chattels) exceeds the sum of $472 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 2 applicable to the intestate, that sum) — the surviving husband or wife shall (in addition to the household chattels) be entitled to the sum of $472 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 2 applicable to the intestate, that sum), absolutely, together with interest on that sum in accordance with subsection (4) and, of the residue, the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled to one third and the issue shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (2b) to the other two‑thirds; 3. dies leaving a husband or wife and one or more of the following, namely, a parent, a brother or sister, or child of a brother or sister, but leaving no issue (a) where the net value of the intestate property (other than the household chattels) does not exceed the sum of $705 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 3(a) and (b) applicable to the intestate, that sum) — the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled to the whole of the intestate property; (b) where the net value of the intestate property (other than the household chattels) exceeds the sum of $705 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 3(a) and (b) applicable to the intestate, that sum) — the surviving husband or wife shall (in addition to the household chattels) be entitled to the sum of $705 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 3(a) and (b) applicable to the intestate, that sum), absolutely, together with interest on that sum in accordance with subsection (4), and, of the residue, the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled to one‑half and, as to the other half — (i) where the intestate is survived by one parent or both parents — (A) if the value of that other half does not exceed the sum of $56 500 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 3(b)(i) applicable to the intestate, that sum) or if no brother, sister, or child of a brother or sister survives the intestate — the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to that other half; (B) in any other case — the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to the sum of $56 500 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 3(b)(i) applicable to the intestate, that sum), absolutely, and of the remainder, the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to one‑half and the brothers and sisters of the intestate and the children of deceased brothers and sisters of the intestate shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (3a) to the other half; (ii) where neither parent survives the intestate — the brothers and sisters of the intestate and the children of deceased brothers and sisters of the intestate shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (3a) to the other half; 4. dies leaving a husband or wife but no issue, parent, brother, sister or child of a brother or sister the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled to the whole of the intestate property; 5. dies leaving issue but no husband or wife the issue shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (2b) to the whole of the intestate property; 6. dies leaving a parent or parents and one or more of the following, namely, a brother or sister, or a child of a brother or sister, but leaving no husband or wife and no issue (a) where the net value of the intestate property does not exceed the sum of $56 500 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 6 applicable to the intestate, that sum) — the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to the whole of the intestate property; (b) where the net value of the intestate property exceeds the sum of $56 500 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 6 applicable to the intestate, that sum) — the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to the sum of $56 500 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 6 applicable to the intestate, that sum), absolutely, and of the residue, the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to one half and the brothers and sisters of the intestate and the children of deceased brothers and sisters of the intestate shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (3a) to the other half; 7. dies leaving a parent or parents but leaving no husband or wife and no issue, brother, sister or child of a brother or sister the parent or parents shall be entitled (in equal shares where both survive the intestate) to the whole of the intestate property; 8. dies leaving one or more of the following, namely a brother or sister, or a child of a brother or sister, but leaving no husband or wife and no issue or parent the brothers and sisters of the intestate and the children of deceased brothers and sisters of the intestate shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (3a) to the whole of the intestate property; 9. dies leaving no husband or wife and no issue, parent, brother, sister or child of a brother or sister but leaving a grandparent or grandparents the grandparent or grandparents shall be entitled (in equal shares where more than one survive the intestate) to the whole of the intestate property; 10. dies leaving no husband or wife and no issue, parent, brother, sister, child of a brother or sister, or grandparent but leaving an uncle or aunt or a child of an uncle or aunt the uncles and aunts of the intestate and the children of deceased uncles and aunts of the intestate shall be entitled in accordance with subsection (3a) to the whole of the intestate property but in applying that subsection for the purposes of this item a reference in that subsection to a brother or sister, or a child of a brother or sister, of the intestate shall be construed as a reference to an uncle or aunt, or a child of an uncle or aunt, of the intestate, as the case may be; 11. dies leaving no husband or wife and no issue, parent, brother, sister, child of a brother or sister, grandparent, uncle, aunt or child of an uncle or aunt the whole of the intestate property passes to the Crown by way of escheat. (1B) In this section, the declared sum for a specified item applicable to an intestate is the declared sum for that specified item under the order that has effect at the time the intestate dies (even if that order later ceases to have effect, including if the order ceases to have effect under the Interpretation Act 1984 section 42(2) as applied by section 14A(5)). (2) For the purposes of the Table — (a) household chattels means articles of personal or household use or adornment; (b) the net value of the intestate property is the net value of that property at the date of the death of the intestate. (2a) In subsection (2b), a reference to the entitled issue of an intestate means issue of the intestate surviving the intestate and not also being issue of another person who survived, and was issue of, the intestate. (2b) Where, under the Table, the issue of an intestate is or are entitled to a portion or the whole of the intestate property (which portion or whole, as the case may be, is referred to in this subsection as the relevant property) — (a) where a person is the only entitled issue of the intestate, then that person is entitled to all of the relevant property; (b) where there are 2 or more entitled issue of the intestate and any of them is a child of the intestate, then the relevant property shall be divided into as many equal parts as there are children of the intestate who — (i) survived the intestate; or (ii) left issue who survived the intestate, and a child of the intestate who so survived shall be entitled to one of those parts; (c) where a person did not survive the intestate but left issue who so survived and that person would, if he had survived the intestate, have been entitled — (i) under paragraph (a), to all of the relevant property, then the entitled issue of the intestate being also issue of that person shall be entitled to all of the relevant property; (ii) under paragraph (b), to a part of the relevant property, then the entitled issue of the intestate being also issue of that person shall be entitled to that part of the relevant property, and where there are 2 or more entitled issue of the intestate being also issue of that person their entitlement under subparagraph (i) or (ii) shall be divided between them under the provisions of this Act (including this paragraph) as if that person had died intestate at the time that the intestate in fact died, the entitlement to be divided were the intestate property of that person, and no person other than those issue were entitled to participate in the distribution thereof. (3) In applying the provisions of item 2 of the Table to a case where the intestate dies leaving — (a) a husband or wife and one child; or (b) a husband or wife and the issue of one child, the words "one‑third" and "two‑thirds" in paragraph (b) of that item shall be read as if they were the words "one‑half" and "half" respectively. (3a) Where, under the Table, the brothers and sisters of the intestate and the children of deceased brothers and sisters of the intestate are entitled to a portion or the whole of the intestate property (which portion or whole, as the case may be, is referred to in this subsection as the relevant property) — (a) where only one such person survives the intestate, then that person is entitled to all of the relevant property; (b) where 2 or more such persons survive the intestate and any of them is a brother or sister of the intestate, then the relevant property shall be divided into as many equal parts as there are brothers and sisters of the intestate who — (i) survived the intestate; or (ii) left children who survived the intestate, and a brother or sister of the intestate who so survived shall be entitled to one of those parts; (c) where any brother or sister did not survive the intestate but left a child or children who so survived, that child shall be entitled or, where there are children, those children, shall be entitled in equal shares — (i) where that brother or sister would have been entitled under paragraph (a) to all of the relevant property had he or she survived the intestate, to all of the relevant property; (ii) where that brother or sister would have been entitled under paragraph (b) to a part of the relevant property had he or she survived the intestate, to that part of the relevant property. (4) Where the intestate dies leaving a husband or wife who is entitled to — (a) the sum of $$472 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 2 applicable to the intestate, that sum) mentioned in item 2(b) of the Table; or (b) the sum of $705 000 (or, if there is a declared sum for item 3(a) and (b) applicable to the intestate, that sum) mentioned in item 3(b) of the Table, the surviving husband or wife shall be entitled to an amount equal to 5% per annum on the sum to which he or she is so entitled, or on that part of such sum as remains unpaid or unsatisfied, calculated from the date of death of the intestate to the date of the payment of that sum, or the date of the effectual appropriation of that sum in accordance with the provisions of the Trustees Act 1962, whichever is the earlier of those dates, and the amount to which he or she is entitled under this subsection — (c) shall be in addition to any other sum, property or share in property, to which he or she is entitled under the Table; and (d) shall be payable out of the income of the estate of the intestate, or if there is no income or the income is insufficient for that purpose, out of the capital of the residue of the estate. (5) Subject to subsection (4), the income derived from the intestate property shall be distributed among the persons who are, under the Table, entitled in distribution to that property in the same respective proportions to which they are, under the Table, entitled to share in the distribution of that property. (6) If — (a) a surviving husband or wife of the intestate is not entitled to the whole of the intestate property in accordance with this section and section 15; and (b) there is an interest within the meaning of clause 1(1)(b) of the Fourth Schedule, then that Schedule applies with respect to that interest. (7) Subject to subsection (6), where the surviving husband or wife of the intestate is entitled under the Table to share in real property he or she shall accept the value of his or her share in lieu of partition, if so desired by all the persons entitled jointly with him or her. (8) Subject to subsections (9), (10) and (11), this section shall apply to the estates of all persons who die on or after 1 March 1977. (9) The amendments effected by section 3 of the Administration Amendment Act 1982 shall apply to the estates of all persons who die on or after the coming into operation of that section. (10) The estates of all persons who have died intestate as to the whole or any part thereof before the coming into operation of the Administration Amendment Act 1984 shall be distributed in accordance with the enactments and rules of law which would have applied to them if that Act had not been passed. (11) The estate of a person who dies intestate as to all or any of their property before the day on which the Administration Amendment Act 2022 section 4 comes into operation is to be distributed as if that section had not come into operation. [Section 14 inserted: No. 138 of 1976 s. 4; amended: No. 103 of 1979 s. 3; No. 48 of 1982 s. 3; No. 57 of 1984 s. 4; No. 57 of 1997 s. 16(1); No. 25 of 2002 s. 52; No. 5 of 2022 s. 4.] 14A. Order declaring sum that is to apply for specified item (1) In this section — original sum, for a specified item, means — (a) in the case of item 2 — $472 000; (b) in the case of item 3(a) and (b) — $705 000; (c) in the case of item 3(b)(i) — $56 500; (d) in the case of item 6 — $56 500; specified item has the meaning given in section 14(1A). (2) The Minister may make an order declaring, for each specified item, the sum that is to apply for that item. (3) A sum declared by the Minister in an order must be the amount in dollars determined by the following formula, rounded up to the nearest $500 — where — S is the sum that is to apply for a specified item, before rounding up to the nearest $500; T is the original sum for that specified item; E is the estimate of the average weekly total earnings of full‑time adult employees in Australia most recently published by the Australian Statistician as an original estimate. Note for this subsection: $1 769.90 is the estimate of the average weekly total earnings of full‑time adult employees in Australia published by the Australian Statistician for November 2020 as an original estimate. (4) An order is subsidiary legislation for the purposes of the Interpretation Act 1984. (5) The Interpretation Act 1984 section 42 applies to an order as if the order were regulations. [Section 14A inserted: No. 5 of 2022 s. 5.] 14B. Minister must review sums for specified items (1) In this section — relevant sums means — (a) the original sum for each specified item (as those terms are defined in section 14A(1)); or (b) if an order under section 14A(2) is in effect — the sums declared by that order. (2) The Minister must review the relevant sums and decide whether or not it is appropriate to make an order under section 14A(2) — (a) on or before 30 June 2023; and (b) on or before 30 June in every 2nd year after that. (3) As soon as practicable after completing the review, the Minister must — (a) prepare a report based on the review; and (b) cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament. (4) Subsection (2) does not limit the times at which the Minister may make an order under section 14A(2). [Section 14B inserted: No. 5 of 2022 s. 5.] 15. De facto partners and distribution on intestacy (1) If the intestate dies leaving a de facto partner but no husband or wife, then where the de facto partner and the intestate lived as de facto partners for a period of at least 2 years immediately before the death of the intestate, the de facto partner shall be entitled, in accordance with section 14, to the intestate property to which a husband or wife of the intestate would have been entitled, had the intestate died leaving a husband or wife. (2) If the intestate dies leaving a husband or wife and a de facto partner, then where — (a) the de facto partner and the intestate lived as de facto partners for a period of at least 2 years immediately before the death of the intestate; and (b) the intestate did not, during the whole or any part of that period, live as the husband or wife of the person to whom he or she was married, the de facto partner shall be entitled, to one‑half of the intestate property to which the husband or wife would have been entitled in accordance with section 14 but for this subsection and the husband or wife shall be entitled to the other half of that property. (3) If the intestate dies leaving a husband or wife and a de facto partner, then where — (a) the de facto partner and the intestate lived as de facto partners for a period of at least 5 years immediately before the death of the intestate; and (b) the intestate did not, during the whole or any part of that period, live as the husband or wife of the person to whom he or she was married, the de facto partner shall be entitled, in accordance with section 14, to the intestate property to which the husband or wife would have been entitled but for this subsection. (4) Where under this section a de facto partner is entitled to intestate property and the intestate dies leaving more than one de facto partner so entitled, those de facto partners are entitled to that property in equal shares. (5) Where under this section a de facto partner is entitled to intestate property, then for the purposes of section 14 and the Fourth Schedule, the de facto partner is to be taken to be a husband or wife, as is applicable, and all references to a husband or wife in those provisions are to be construed accordingly. (6) In this section — intestate and intestate property have the same respective meanings as they have in section 14. (7) The amendments made to this Act by the Family Court Amendment Act 2002 do not apply to or in respect of the estate of a person who died intestate as to all or any of the person's property before the commencement of that Act, and the estate of such a person is to be distributed as if that Act had not been passed. [Section 15 inserted: No. 25 of 2002 s. 52.] [15A. Deleted: No. 138 of 1976 s. 4.] 16. Courtesy and dower abolished No person shall become entitled to or take any estate by courtesy or right of dower, or any equivalent estate, after the coming into operation of this Act, out of real estate as to which any person dies intestate. 17. Court may deal with interest of infants in certain cases (1) Where a person dies leaving infant issue and the value of the share of the real and personal property of the deceased person to which an infant is entitled in distribution does not exceed $10 000 the Court may, on the application of any such infant, or of any person on his behalf, authorise the executor or administrator to expend the whole or any part of the share of such infant in his maintenance, advancement, or education. [(2) deleted] (3) The power or authority that the Court may confer under this section on an executor or administrator is in addition to any other power or authority, statutory or otherwise, that the executor or administrator may have to pay or apply capital money or assets, or the income thereof, to or on behalf of an infant. [Section 17 amended: No. 62 of 1955 s. 5; No. 80 of 1962 s. 3; No. 113 of 1965 s. 8.] 17A. Power to appoint trustees of infant's property (1) Subject to subsection (5), where an infant is absolutely entitled under the will or on the intestacy of a person (in this section called the deceased) to a devise or legacy, or to the residue of the estate of the deceased, or any share therein, and that devise, legacy, residue or share is not, under the will (if any) of the deceased, devised or bequeathed to trustees for the infant, the personal representatives of the deceased may appoint a trustee corporation (including the Public Trustee) or 2 or more individuals not exceeding 4 (whether or not including the personal representatives or one or more of them) to be the trustee or trustees of that devise, legacy, residue or share for the infant, and may execute or do any assurance, act or thing requisite for vesting that devise, legacy, residue or share in the trustee or trustees so appointed. (2) On the vesting of the devise, legacy, residue or share mentioned in subsection (1) in the trustee or trustees appointed under this section, the personal representatives as such are discharged from all further liability in respect of that devise, legacy, residue or share. (3) Trustees appointed under this section may retain any property transferred to them pursuant to the provisions of this section in its existing condition or state of investment, or may convert it into money, and upon conversion shall invest the money as trust funds may be invested under Part III of the Trustees Act 1962. (4) Where a personal representative has, before 1 January 1963, retained or sold any such devise, legacy, residue or share as is mentioned in subsection (1), and has invested it or the proceeds thereof (as the case may be) in any investments in which he was authorised to invest money subject to the trust, then, subject to any order of the Court made before that date, he shall be deemed not to have incurred any liability on that account or by reason of not having paid or transferred the money or property into Court. (5) The power of appointing trustees conferred upon personal representatives by this section is subject to any direction or restriction contained in the will of the deceased. [Section 17A inserted: No. 80 of 1962 s. 4; amended: No. 1 of 1997 s. 18.] [18. Deleted: No. 80 of 1962 s. 5.] 19. Court may direct partition of real estate (1) Where the Court is satisfied that a partition of the real estate of a deceased person, or any part thereof, would be advantageous to the parties interested, the Court may appoint one or more arbitrators, or direct the Principal Registrar to effect such partition. (2) The award of the arbitrators or order of the Principal Registrar setting forth particulars of the land allotted to each party interested shall, when confirmed by the Court and registered in the office of the Western Australian Land Information Authority established by the Land Information Authority Act 2006 section 5, without the necessity of any further conveyance or transfer, vest in each allottee the land so allotted to him. (3) In the case of land subject to the Transfer of Land Act 1893, each allottee shall be entitled to have created and registered in the allottee's name a certificate of title for the land so allotted. (4) If any allotment be made subject to the charge of any money payable to any other party interested, for equalising the partition, such charge shall take effect according to the terms and conditions in regard to time and mode of payment, and otherwise, which shall be expressed in such award or order, without the necessity of any further instrument being made or executed; and in case of land subject to the Transfer of Land Act 1893, the certificate of title shall be created and registered subject to such charge. [Section 19 amended: No. 67 of 1979 s. 44; No. 81 of 1996 s. 153(1); No. 60 of 2006 s. 120.] 20. Personal representative may relinquish trust (1) A personal representative may at any time, by leave of the Court, and on such conditions as the Court may impose, relinquish his trust to such person as the Court may appoint. (2) Notwithstanding any such order, such personal representative shall continue liable for all acts and neglects whilst he was acting as executor or administrator, but not otherwise or further. 21. Executor or administrator to represent real estate In all proceedings concerning the real estate of a deceased person, his executor, to whom probate has been granted, or administrator, so long as such estate remains vested in him, shall represent such real estate and the persons interested therein in the same manner and to the same extent as in proceedings concerning personal estate. [22. Deleted: No. 26 of 1941 s. 3.] 23. All creditors to stand in equal degree (1) Subject to section 10A, in the administration of the estate of every deceased person, all the creditors of such person shall be treated as standing in equal degree, and be paid accordingly out of the assets, whether legal or equitable. (2) Nothing herein contained shall prejudice or affect any mortgage, lien, charge, or security which any person may hold or be entitled to for payment of his debt. (3) Nothing herein contained shall affect the provisions of any Act protecting life assurance or other policies against creditors. [Section 23 amended: No. 72 of 1984 s. 7.] 24. Administration in case of intestacy The practice hitherto in force with reference to granting administration of the estate of an intestate shall, save as hereby altered and subject to the rules, be applicable to administration granted hereunder; and administration of both real and personal estate may be granted in and by the same letters. 25. Persons entitled to administration (1) The Court may grant administration of the estate of a person dying intestate to the following persons (separately or conjointly) being of the full age of 18 years, that is to say to — (a) one or more of the persons entitled in distribution to the estate of the intestate; (b) any other person, whether a creditor or not, if there be no such person entitled as aforesaid resident within the jurisdiction and fit to be so entrusted, or if the person entitled as aforesaid fails, when duly cited, to appear and apply for administration. [Section 25 amended: No. 46 of 1972 s. 6(2); No. 57 of 1984 s. 5; No. 21 of 1986 s. 4.] 26. Power to require administrator to produce sureties (1) As a condition of granting administration to any person the Court may, subject to the following provisions of this section and subject to and in accordance with the rules, require one or more sureties to guarantee that they will make good, within any limit imposed by the Court on the total liability of the surety or sureties, any loss that any person interested in the administration of the estate of the deceased may suffer in consequence of a breach by the administrator of his duties as an administrator. (2) Where a guarantee is given as required by subsection (1) the Court may, at any time, upon the application of any person interested in the estate or of its own motion on the report of the Principal Registrar — (a) require the surety or sureties to give such further or additional guarantee as the Court may direct and, if that further or additional guarantee is not given by the surety or sureties and the administrator does not produce another surety or other sureties, as the case may require, to give that further or additional guarantee, the Court may remove the administrator and appoint another in his place with power to sue or be sued upon any contract made by the removed administrator; (b) order that the liability of a surety under the guarantee be reduced to such amount as the Court in the circumstances of the case thinks reasonable. (3) For the purposes of this Act a further or additional guarantee given pursuant to subsection (2)(b) shall be deemed to be a guarantee given as required by subsection (1). (4) A guarantee given as required by subsection (1) shall enure for the benefit of every person interested in the administration of the estate of the deceased as if contained in a deed to which the surety or sureties and every such person are parties and, where there are 2 or more sureties, as if they had bound themselves jointly and severally. (5) Where a guarantee is given as required by subsection (1) an action on that guarantee — (a) shall not be brought without the leave of either the Court or the Principal Registrar; (b) may be brought only on such terms and conditions as the Court or the Principal Registrar thinks fit. (6) If, upon the application of a surety who has given a guarantee as required by subsection (1), it appears to the Court that — (a) the estate is being wasted, or is in danger of being wasted; or (b) the surety is being in any way prejudiced, or is in danger of being prejudiced, by the act or default of the person administering the estate; or (c) any surety desires to be relieved from further liability, the Court may grant such relief as it thinks fit. (7) Subject to subsection (6), this section applies whenever administration is granted under any provision of this Act. (8) This section does not apply where administration is granted to the Public Trustee or in such other cases as may be prescribed by the rules. [Section 26 inserted: No. 138 of 1976 s. 5; amended: No. 67 of 1979 s. 44.] [27‑28. Deleted: No. 138 of 1976 s. 6.] 29. Court may revoke grant of administration (1) Where administration of the estate of a person has been granted the Court may, at any time, upon the application of any person interested in the estate or of its own motion on the report of the Principal Registrar, revoke the administration. [(2) deleted] [Section 29 inserted: No. 138 of 1976 s. 7; amended: No. 67 of 1979 s. 44; No. 103 of 1979 s. 4; No. 57 of 1997 s. 16(2).] [30‑31. Deleted: No. 138 of 1976 s. 8.] 32. In case of renunciation or failure to take probate, right of executor gone Where an executor renounces probate of the will, or dies without having taken probate, or where, being personally cited to take probate, he does not appear to such citation, the right of such executor in respect of the executorship shall wholly cease; and the representation to the testator and the administration of his estate shall go, devolve, and be committed in like manner as if such person had not been appointed executor. 33. Where infant is executor etc. (1) Where an infant is sole executor, administration with the will annexed may be granted to the guardian of such infant, or to such other person as the Court thinks fit, until such infant has attained the age of 18 years, with full or limited powers to act in the premises until probate has been granted to the said executor. (2) The person to whom such administration is granted shall, unless otherwise ordered, have the same powers vested in him as any ordinary administrator with the will annexed. [Section 33 amended: No. 46 of 1972 s. 6(2).] 34. Where person entitled to probate or administration is out of the jurisdiction When an executor or any person entitled to probate or administration is out of the jurisdiction or is a member of the naval, military, or air forces of Her Majesty the Queen (including a member of any medical corps nursing service attached to any of the forces aforesaid) who is within the jurisdiction, but has some person within the jurisdiction appointed under power of attorney to act for him, administration may be granted to such attorney, but on behalf of the person entitled thereto, and on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks fit. [Section 34 amended: No. 21 of 1942 s. 2.] 35. Court may appoint manager and receiver pending litigation The Court may, pending any proceedings touching the validity of any will, or for obtaining, recalling, or revoking any probate or administration, appoint an administrator of the personal estate and a receiver of the real estate of any deceased person, at such remuneration and with such full or limited powers as the Court may think fit. [Section 35 amended: No. 138 of 1976 s. 9.] 36. Administration with will annexed Where a person dies leaving a will but without having appointed an executor, or leaving a will and having appointed an executor who is not willing and competent to take probate or is resident out of Western Australia, the Court may appoint an administrator of the estate of the deceased, or of any part thereof, and such administration may be limited as the Court thinks fit. [Section 36 amended: No. 138 of 1976 s. 10.] 37. Probate or administration if executor etc. absent or neglects to obtain probate etc. Where an executor neglects to obtain or to renounce probate within 2 months from the death of the testator or from the time of such executor attaining the age of 18 years, or where an executor is unknown or cannot be found, the Court may, upon the application of any person interested in the estate, or of any creditor of the testator, grant administration with the will annexed to the applicant, and such administration may be limited as the Court thinks fit. [Section 37 amended: No. 46 of 1972 s. 6(2).] 38. Special letters of administration if executor or administrator not within jurisdiction (1) If, at the expiration of 6 months from the death of any person, the executor to whom probate has been granted, or the administrator, is residing, out of the jurisdiction, the Court may upon the application of any creditor or person interested in the estate, grant to the applicant special letters of administration of the estate of such deceased person, with limited or unlimited powers. (2) The applicant shall satisfy the Court that the executor or administrator is resident out of the jurisdiction, and that the applicant is thereby delayed in recovering or obtaining payment of moneys, or the possession of goods and chattels, or real estate to which he is by law entitled, or that the estate is liable to loss or waste. 39. On return of executor or administrator, special administration may be revoked (1) On the return within the jurisdiction of the executor to whom probate has originally been granted, or the administrator, he may apply to the Court to rescind such special grant; and the Court may make such order upon such terms and conditions as to the Court may seem fit, and thereafter the original probate or administration shall be and remain as valid and effectual as if such special grant had never been made. (2) Upon any order being made for the rescission of any special grant, the special administrator shall be bound to account to the original executor or administrator, and to pay over all moneys received by him and then remaining in his hands. 40. Absent executor liable to account Should an executor or administrator neglect to apply for an order for the rescission of any special grant as aforesaid, he shall, until such special grant is rescinded, be liable to make good all claims and demands against the estate of the deceased to the extent of the assets which have come to his hands, or which might have come to his hands but for his wilful neglect or default, including the neglect herein mentioned. 41. Revocation pending litigation not to abate proceedings Where probate or administration is revoked or rescinded, pending any proceedings commenced by or against any executor or administrator lawfully acting as such, such proceedings shall be continued in the name of the executor or administrator appointed on such revocation or rescission as if the same had been originally commenced by or against such lastmentioned executor or administrator. 42. Devisee or legatee may apply to Court in certain cases If an executor who has obtained probate, or an administrator with the will annexed, after request in writing neglects or refuses to — (a) execute a transfer or conveyance of land devised to a devisee; or (b) transfer, pay, or deliver to the person entitled any bequests, legacy, or residuary bequest, such devisee or person may apply for an order upon such executor or administrator to comply with such request, and the Court may make such order as it thinks fit. 43. Inventory and accounts (1) Every person to whom probate or administration is granted shall be under a duty to — (a) collect and get in the real and personal estate of the deceased and administer it according to law; (b) file an inventory of the estate of the deceased, and pass his accounts relating thereto within such time, and from time to time, and in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules or as the Court may order; (c) when required to do so by the Court, deliver up the grant of probate or administration to the Court. (2) The order of the Court allowing any account shall be prima facie evidence of the correctness of the same, and shall, after the expiration of 3 years from the date of such order, operate as a release to the person filing the same, except so far as it is shown by some person interested therein that a wilful or fraudulent error, omission, or entry has been made in such account. [Section 43 amended: No. 138 of 1976 s. 11.] 44. If accounts not filed Principal Registrar to give notice etc. (1) If an executor or administrator neglects to file an inventory or to pass accounts within one month after the expiration of the period fixed by the rules, the Principal Registrar shall cause such executor or administrator to be notified of such neglect. (2) In case of further neglect of the period of one month, the Principal Registrar shall apply for an order upon such executor or administrator to file such inventory or exhibit such account forthwith. (3) No proceedings under this section shall affect the liability of the executor or administrator to be proceeded against for an account and administration, or prevent an action from being brought on any guarantee given as required by section 26(1) or section 62(1). [Section 44 amended: No. 138 of 1976 s. 12; No. 67 of 1979 s. 44.] 45. Court may settle all questions arising in administration (1) The Court may make such order with reference to any question arising in respect of any will or administration, or with reference to the distribution or application of any real and personal estate which an executor or administrator or Public Trustee may have in hand, or as to the residue of the estate, as the circumstances of the case may require. (2) Such order shall bind all persons whether sui juris or not. (3) No final order for distribution shall be made except upon notice to all the parties interested, or as the Court may direct. [Section 45 amended: No. 62 of 1955 s. 8.] 46. Payments made before revocation to be valid (1) Where any probate or administration is revoked or rescinded, all payments bona fide made to the executor or administrator before the revocation or rescission shall be a legal discharge to the person making the same. (2) The executor or administrator who has acted under any revoked or rescinded probate or administration may retain and reimburse himself, or shall be entitled to be reimbursed, in respect of all payments made by him before revocation or rescission, in the same manner as if such revocation or rescission had not taken place. 47. Payments etc. to be valid notwithstanding defect All persons making or permitting to be made any payment or transfer bona fide upon any probate or administration granted under the authority of this Act shall be indemnified and protected in so doing, notwithstanding any defect or circumstance whatsoever affecting the validity of such probate or administration not then known to such person. 47A. Protection of executors, administrators and trustees (1) Notwithstanding — (a) the provisions of section 12A; or (b) the provisions of Part IX of the Wills Act 1970, for the purposes of the administration or distribution of any estate or any property no executor or administrator or trustee shall be under any obligation to inquire as to the existence of any person who could claim an interest in the estate or the property by virtue only of those provisions in so far as they confer any interest on illegitimate children or any person claiming through an illegitimate child. (2) No executor or administrator or trustee shall be liable to any such person as is referred to in subsection (1) in relation to any claim arising by reason of an executor or administrator or trustee having made any distribution of the estate or property held on trust, or otherwise acted in the administration of the estate or property held on trust, disregarding the interest of that person, if at the time he made the distribution or so acted the executor or administrator or trustee had no notice of the relationship on which the claim is based. (3) Nothing in this section shall prejudice the right of any person to follow the property, or any property representing it, into the hands of any person, other than a purchaser, who may have received it. [Section 47A inserted: No. 18 of 1971 s. 4.] [48‑52. Deleted: No. 80 of 1962 s. 5.] 53. Executor deemed to be resident in State (1) Every executor or administrator appointed under this Act, or named in any probate or letters of administration granted by any court of competent jurisdiction in any portion of Her Majesty's dominions, and making application under this Act for the sealing of such probate or administration, shall be deemed to be resident in Western Australia. (2) Where not actually so resident he shall, before the issue or sealing of any probate or administration, file in accordance with the rules a notice of an address at which notices and processes may be served upon him, and all services at such registered address shall be deemed personal service. [Section 53 amended: No. 67 of 1979 s. 44; No. 14 of 1980 s. 3.] 54. Court may appoint district agents (1) For the purpose of receiving applications for probate or administration under this Act, a magistrate of the Magistrates Court at a place beyond 80 km from Perth shall be and is hereby appointed to act as a district agent for the Principal Registrar. (2) All district agents may, for the purposes of this Part, administer oaths, take declarations and affirmations, and exercise any other powers which can be exercised by the Principal Registrar. [Section 54 amended: No. 55 of 1941 s. 5; No. 94 of 1972 s. 4 (as amended: No. 19 of 1973); No. 67 of 1979 s. 44; No. 59 of 2004 s. 141; No. 24 of 2005 s. 63.] 55. Where estate does not exceed $10 000 the Principal Registrar or district agent may act In all cases where a person dies leaving property not exceeding $10 000 in value, application for probate or administration may be made direct to the Principal Registrar or to a district agent of the Principal Registrar. [Section 55 inserted: No. 66 of 1963 s. 2; amended: No. 113 of 1965 s. 8; No. 94 of 1972 s. 4 (as amended: No. 19 of 1973); No. 37 of 1977 s. 3; No. 67 of 1979 s. 44; No. 14 of 1980 s. 4.] 56. Information to be furnished by Principal Registrar or agent (1) The Principal Registrar or district agent shall, upon being satisfied as to the identity of the applicant, and his right to administer the estate of the deceased, and the value of such estate, furnish him, free of cost, with all necessary information for the purpose of enabling him to fill up the affidavits and documents necessary for obtaining probate or administration as the case may be. (2) The Principal Registrar or district agent shall receive payment of all proper fees fixed by the Rules of the Court in connection with the application. [Section 56 amended: No. 67 of 1979 s. 44.] 57. Applications to be transmitted by agent to Principal Registrar (1) The district agent shall forthwith transmit to the Principal Registrar all fees, affidavits, documents, and things received by him; and, upon receipt of the probate or letters of administration, shall deliver the same to the applicant upon demand. (2) The Principal Registrar shall, upon being satisfied with the sufficiency of the evidence in support of the application, and that the estate does not exceed $10 000 in value, and that no caveat has been entered against the application and that the fees have been duly paid, cause probate or letters of administration (as the case may be) to be issued and delivered to the applicant on demand, or shall forward the same to the district agent for delivery by him to the applicant. (3) Such probate or administration shall be issued in the name and under the seal of the Court. [Section 5