About EstateCompass

When someone dies, the people left behind are asked to deal with an enormous amount of legal and financial complexity — often while they are still in the early stages of grief. Most people have never done this before and have no idea where to start.

EstateCompass exists to make that process more manageable. We provide a plain-English guide to every step of settling a New Zealand estate, and a directory of verified professionals who can help along the way. Everything is free for families — no accounts, no paywalls, no advertising.

The Executor Guide walks through every stage of settling an estate — from the first days after a death through to final distribution. It covers probate, property, tax, creditors, family dynamics, and grief. It is written in plain English, not legal jargon.

Ask the Estate Guide is an AI assistant trained on NZ estate law. You can ask specific questions about your situation and get answers based on the Administration Act 1969, the Trusts Act 2019, and other relevant New Zealand legislation. It is available 24 hours a day, free, with no login required.

The Provider Directory lists probate lawyers, funeral directors, estate clearance companies, grief counsellors, trustee companies, and more — organised by region so you can find someone near you.