Wills, Trusts and Estates Law and Practice

LES601

  • Level 6
  • 20 Credits
  • 0.1667 EFTS
  • Delivery type:
    Online only
  • Course duration: 16 weeks
  • Course cost:
    $675 NZ Domestic
    $1,772 NZ International
  • Workload - Approximately 13 hours per week
  • Availability
    Monthly course availability for upcoming periods
    Not available
    Aug
    Not available
    Sep
    Not available
    Dec
    2027 Not available
    Jan
    Not available
    Feb
    Not available
    Mar
    Not available
    Apr
    Not available
    May
    Not available
    Jun
    Not available
    Jul

This online course provides you with a specialised knowledge of wills, trusts, the administration of deceased estates, and estate and asset planning. It will enable you to apply the practices and procedures used in common will, estate and trust practice transactions and matters.

For more information watch the course introduction video below.

Learners who successfully complete this online course will be able to

  • Analyse the structure and common contents of simple wills and enduring powers of attorney, and the requirements for making a will and an enduring power of attorney.
  • Examine the key elements of a trust.
  • Analyse and apply the legal principles and practices relevant to estate and asset planning.
  • Analyse and apply aspects of the legal and general administration of a deceased estate.
  • Design effective communications to beneficiaries of an estate and a trust, as well as with personal representatives and trustees.

Assessment

Assessment for this course is:

  • 40% internally assessed
  • 60% examination. 

For more information about exams, including a full list of exam times go to our exam page:

Assessment for this course includes an examination

Open Polytechnic will, subject to you meeting the entry requirements for this course/programme, enrol you in this course.

Your enrolment in the course means that you should expect to complete an in-person examination.

Find out more

 

Textbooks

No textbooks are required for this course

Exam dates

2026 offerings
  • Courses starting Oct - 25 Nov 2026
  • Courses starting Nov - 14 Dec 2026
More about examinations

Computer and internet requirements

This course is delivered online, so you will access the course and do your study online, which generally includes reading and doing activities, watching videos, downloading content, and writing and submitting assessments online.

For online learning you need:

  • Access to a laptop or desktop computer
  • Reliable broadband internet and a data plan

Find out more about online learning

If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access will allow you to study online please contact us.

How to apply

Apply to study a programme

You can study this course as part of any of the programmes listed below.

Click on a tile to go the programme information, including the entry requirements and how many courses you'll need to do to complete the programme.

From there you click 'Apply now' and start your study journey.

Apply to study this course

If you would like to study just this course and not enrol in a certificate, diploma or degree you can apply here.

Learn more about course only study