The Supreme Court decision in Erceg v Erceg is the seminal case regarding disclosure of trust information to beneficiaries. Against the backdrop of that case, wider matters involving the Erceg family provide further jurisprudential consideration. Sain v Erceg relates to an Epsom property registered formerly in the name of the late Millie Erceg and latterly … Continue reading
It is not uncommon for trustees to seek a release from beneficiaries prior to the final distribution of trust assets. However, where beneficiaries are reluctant or unwilling a trustee may quite properly be concerned to protect the trustee’s position in the event of a subsequent claim. The avenues to address such a consideration were canvased … Continue reading
Trustees looking for certainty regarding costs will commonly turn their minds to a Beddoe application. However, where costs are a live issue and the grounds for a Beddoe order may not be made out, an alternative course of action is to seek a prospective costs order. While this may appear largely the sole dominion of … Continue reading
Re Estate of Olive Ruby Piper relates to an application for an order declaring that a draft will prepared by Public Trust prior to Olive Piper’s death is her last will and testament pursuant to s 14 of the Wills Act 2007. The legislative basis is set out at [2] and [18] as follows: [2] … Continue reading
The purpose of a Beddoe application as set noted in Representation of X Trustees re D and E Trusts is to “.. provide certainty and protection to a trustee by predetermining the question of whether costs incurred in third party litigation were reasonable and should be borne out of the trust fund.” In considering whether … Continue reading
McGuire v Earl is a successful application for the following trust information: statements of accounts copies of all Minutes and Resolutions any documents pertaining to any distributions all documents pertaining to any gifting or debt incurred, and bank statements for all bank accounts. The trust in question was settled by Mr McGuire’s father and Mr … Continue reading
Hey v Hey relates to a mother and son in dispute regarding the mother removing her son as a trustee of the trust that the mother settled with her now deceased husband. The trust in question (the BMA & DCL Hey Family Trust (the Trust)) was settled by Brian and Dorothy Hey. The trustees were … Continue reading
In the Matter of the Estate of Mabel Florence Murray the Court had to determine whether Mrs Murray had testamentary capacity when she executed a codicil and the earlier will. Evidence was given by Mrs Murray’s doctor, son and lawyer; all of whom were found to be credible. However, the view of the Court by … Continue reading
Section 153 (set out below) of the Land Transfer Act 2017 provides that no notice can be given on the land title register that land is held on trust. 153 Trusts not to be entered on register (1) Notice of a trust, whether express, implied, resulting, or constructive, must not be registered or noted on … Continue reading
Trusts are a common form of asset ownership. However, the rights and obligations associated with trusts, and even simple matters such as contracting with trusts are not always well understood. Vicki Ammundsen is presenting a webinar on Trust Fundamentals on 10 February 2021 at 10.30am. For more information see Trust Series 2021 – Trust Fundamentals.
