Appointed as executor of his late mother’s estate, William Albert did a good job of calling in available liquid assets and distributing proceeds to beneficiaries, but acted as if their Wairoa family home as the remaining estate asset was his alone, refusing to pay for it. The High Court removed him as executor, appointing the Public Trust in his place and with it power to sell the home.
His mother Mokai Kate Albert died in 2021. Her will named as beneficiaries her biological son William together with two others adopted into the family as whangai adoptions: Jimmy and Kelly. All three are to share equally in her estate.
The High Court was told William as executor cashed up his mother’s bank accounts and life insurance, realising some $41,000 which was split three ways between the beneficiaries.
This left their mother’s McLean Street home, occupied by William; valued in 2025 at about $299,000.
Kelly lives in Australia; Jimmy in Wairoa.
Jimmy told the High Court that indications by William that he would buy the family home have come to nothing. There was no evidence that William is paying rent whilst living at McLean Street, or paying rates, or keeping the property insured.
On Jimmy’s application, Justice Gendall used Administration Act powers to remove William as executor, appointing the Public Trust.
William did not file any statement of defence. He was ordered to pay all legal costs incurred removing him as executor, to be deducted from his one third share on sale of McLean Street.
Wilson v. Albert – High Court (21.11.25)
26.018