5 weeks until the launch of electronic filing (eFiling) for probate matters.
On 15 April the Supreme Court of Victoria will introduce a new online filing system, RedCrest-Probate, for the electronic filing (eFiling) of applications for probate and letters of administration made pursuant to the Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2014.
Benefits of e-Filing
RedCrest-Probate is designed to provide an efficient method of eFiling for solicitors and people representing themselves to:
prepare documents, with the assistance of pre-populated forms
lodge documents electronically at any time of the day, from anywhere
view live application status updates.
How will e-Filing work?
When an application for a grant is made in RedCrest-Probate, answering a series of guided questions will pre-populate the originating motion, supporting affidavit and the inventory of assets and liabilities.
The person who lodges the application will have access to view the original online grant once it has been issued. A unique identifier on the grant allows anyone else provided with it, such as asset-holders, to also be able to view the grant online.
From 15 April 2020:
- Original sworn/affirmed affidavits no longer need to be delivered to the Probate Office.
- The original will/codicil must be filed in the Probate Office within 28 days of submitting an application on RedCrest-Probate, in person or by post.
- A copy of the originating motion created by RedCrest-Probate must be included when filing the original will with the Probate Office.
- The original grant will be digital. A printed grant will no longer be issued.
The advertisement process through the Probate Online Advertising System (POAS) remains the same.
For further information, see Supreme Court (Probate E-filing and Other Amendments) Rules 2019. S. R. No. 124/2019.
Additional resources
Access the eFiling for Probate matters information session recording.