Can you leave your house to an ex‑wife and daughter you can’t locate? RNZ Money breaks it down

A curious man asked whether he could simply bequeath his house to an ex‑wife and daughter he can’t locate – even suggesting a handwritten note left on a traffic cone in front of a bank might do the trick.

Susan Edmunds, RNZ Money correspondent, says New Zealand’s inheritance rules are far less whimsical. If a will names a beneficiary but provides no way to identify or contact them, the provision is likely to be treated as ineffective. The law requires clear evidence that the intended recipient exists and can be served with the necessary documents.

Banks and the property register will not accept a transfer based on an anonymous name. They will ask for proof of identity – such as a birth certificate, passport or other official documentation – before they will move any title.

The practical solution, she advises, is to gather the necessary contact details and draft a proper will. If the details truly can’t be found, the estate’s executor may need to hold the property in trust or follow the intestacy rules, rather than leaving it in limbo.

So, before you consider leaving your house on a traffic cone, consult a solicitor who can help you navigate the maze of wills and property law.