If you’re the executor appointed in the deceased’s will, you should first make sure that you have the latest will. You should also find out about and locate any changes to the original will (called “codicils”). Contact the deceased’s lawyer, if they had one, or the Public Trust.
You’ll then need to apply to the High Court for it approve the will as valid and to approve your power to deal with the deceased’s estate as the executor. This is called getting “probate” for the will.
When you apply for probate in the High Court, the application will need to be supported by an affidavit (a sworn statement) and other documents, all in the form required by the High Court rules. Usually the paperwork for the application will be prepared by a lawyer acting for the estate, and the executor can then complete the process and file the application with the court.
If someone claims the will is invalid and challenges it in court, the process is more complicated and involves a High Court trial. In that case a lawyer will usually be needed to represent the deceased’s estate.
Once the High Court has made an order granting probate, or granting letters of administration if there’s no will, the order becomes part of the public court records, and anyone can look at it (along with the will if there was one).
Note: If the deceased owned a house or other land, a probate order from the courts (or letters of administration if there’s no will) will allow the house or land to be transferred to the beneficiary who’s entitled to it. Legal ownership will first be transferred into the name of the executor/administrator of the estate, and then transferred to the relevant beneficiary.