Estates
Gawith Burridge formed a dedicated Estate Administration and Elder Law Team in January 2020.
The team specialises in helping clients work through end-of-life estate administration. Whilst estate administration has been a significant part of the firm’s service for decades, having a dedicated team is a new approach which is proving highly beneficial to clients.
Estate Administration and Elder Law Team Manager, Kylie Moore, says it is a highly sensitive and emotional time for clients and so having an experienced and empathetic team can really help. “We can also support one another, as the emotional aspect can be challenging,” says Kylie.
Kylie has been with Gawith Burridge since 2017 specialising in estate administration. She started her legal career in 1993, here in the Wairarapa, as a legal secretary. Having eventually qualified as a Lawyer in Queensland she returned to New Zealand with her husband to raise her family.
Kylie has had a particular interest in estate administration since 2001 and so brings with her a good deal of experience.
Joining Kylie on the team are:
Nicki Thomas, Senior Solicitor.
Nicki has been with Gawith Burridge since October 2019. Juggling raising children and studying law was described by Nicki as ‘a lengthy process’ but she’s now qualified and is loving practicing law. The team love her great sense of humour and it is clear that clients are drawn to her down-to-earth approach.
Ping Fang, Registered Legal Executive.
Ping joined the Estate Administration Team recently after finishing her New Zealand Legal Executive Diploma in 2020. She travelled around New Zealand and settled down in the beautiful Wairarapa. Ping is excited to be a member of the team and start her legal career.
Lynn Beveridge, Legal Executive and Personal Assistant.
Described by the team as ‘our rock’, Lynn holds the team together keeping it well organised. Lynn has been with Gawith Burridge for 20 years (having started in the Martinborough office) and has recently completed her Legal Executive qualification.
Carla Eglinton, Associate.
Carla and her husband, Hamish, joined Gawith Burridge in 2022 having moved their young family to the Wairarapa to be closer to family. Carla has been practising since 2011 and finds immense satisfaction in guiding clients through what can often be a difficult time. Carla also enjoys working with clients to ensure that their assets are protected, and their wishes are clear. Carla enjoys taking time with her clients to understand who they are and what is important to them in order to provide the best advice possible.
Hamish Eglinton, Solicitor.
Hamish joined Gawith Burridge in 2022 and the Estate Administration and Elder Law Team in 2024. Born and bred in the Wairarapa, Hamish has moved back home with his young family. Hamish works in all areas of general practice, but has a special interest in estate administration and elder law matters. For Hamish, a big part of becoming a lawyer was to be able to help people and serve his community. Hamish has a very relaxed, super approachable manner and is a great addition to the team.
Rachael Courtman, Registered Legal Executive.
Rachael completed her Legal Executive Diploma in 2015 and has worked in various law firms across Auckland and the Waikato. Rachael joined the team in July 2024. She specialises in Estate Administration and loves to tackle the more complex estate files and High Court applications. Estate Administration can be an emotional and daunting process and Rachael prides herself on her ability to put advice into laymen terms and to guide families in a way that helps them understand the process, without feeling overwhelmed.
Having recently moved to Martinborough from the Waikato, Rachael is enjoying exploring the area in her spare time. She tries her hand at anything outdoors and has joined a local netball team. She especially enjoys hiking and being in nature, where possible.
Rachael works across both our Martinborough and Masterton offices.
“Thank you very much for all the work you have done for the estate. We are very happy with the great service you provide. There have been no delays, you don’t overcharge, and your communication and disclosure have been excellent… Thanks for all your hard work…” – HC, June 2021
“Kylie and Nicki have been absolutely brilliant to work with and we thank you for helping us…” – BA, June 2021
“Lauren Beth, thank you for all your help, you have really made things simple for us as a family after the loss of Dad. I cannot rate the service you have provided our family highly enough. You have been very clear as to what we have had to do, and when, and done so with respect and compassion. Your service has been just great and this has made dealing with things easier with me based out of town” – DE, July 2021
“Kylie, you have been nothing but helpful and professional and I have felt truly supported by you throughout” – KC, August 2021
“Thank you for being there for us all, could not have wished for a better group of talented people” – RT December 2023
The team’s “The Closing Chapter” PDF book is a practical guide to help deal with the death and estate of close family or friends.