Tepou Rasmussen Ford, In re [2023] CKHC 27; Probate No 394 of 2023 (22 March 2023)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE COOK ISLANDS
HELD AT RAROTONGA
(CIVIL DIVISION)

PROBATE NO. 394/2023

IN THE MATTER of TINI FORD of Omoka, Penrhyn, Cook Islands, Deceased

AND

IN THE MATTER of an application by TEPOU RASMUSSEN FORD, of Omoka, Penrhyn, Cook Islands

Applicant

Appearances: Mr C Petero, for the Applicant

Date: 22 March 2023

JUDGMENT OF TOOGOOD, J

[1] Tini Ford of Omoka, Penrhyn, Cook Islands, died in Penrhyn on 15 January 2023. His widow, Tepou Rasmussen Ford, has applied for a grant of Letters of Administration for her late husband’s estate and seeks an order directing that sureties by the Administrator be dispensed with on the grounds that the late Mr Ford died intestate.
[2] Mrs Ford wishes to have Letters of Administration granted to her so that she can access the joint accounts her husband and she had with the Bank of the Cook Islands and to finally tidy up her husband’s financial affairs. She has had access to her husband’s papers, and she has made appropriate enquiries of Mr Ford’s solicitors and the bankers with whom he banked. Despite a diligent search, Mrs Ford has been unable to find any will or other testamentary writing prepared by her late husband. Mrs Ford deposes that she believes the estate will be worth less than $20,000.
[3] I am satisfied that applicant will reliably administer the estate of her late husband and comply with all responsibilities and requirements of her in the role of Administrator.
[4] Accordingly, I order that:

1. Letters of Administration in the estate, effects and credits of Tini Ford of Omoka, Penrhyn, Cook Islands, now deceased, be granted to Tepou Rasmussen Ford; and
2. Sureties by the Administrator shall be dispensed with.
   

________________________
C H Toogood, J