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Where an executor has concern as to a will-maker’s capacity, the appropriate course of action is to seek probate in solemn form. Public Trust v The Cancer Society of New Zealand, Otago and Southland Division Incorporated provides a useful example of the importance of contemporary evidence of capacity (where incapacity was not identified by the person taking … Continue reading
It is not uncommon for will-makers to specify the age at which beneficiaries are to benefit. The question is, if the beneficiaries have capacity, must they wait? Telford v Telford answers this question by reference to the rule in Saunders v Vautier, and more latterly section 121 of the Trusts Act 2019. By way of … Continue reading
In the matter of The Piedmont Trust and the Riviera Trust relates to an application for the Jersey Royal Court to approve the final distribution of trust assets in circumstances where the beneficiaries are in agreement regarding the termination of the trusts (but where there is disagreement regarding the allocation of the trust assets between … 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
Trusts can seem like a great idea. And then one day a settlor can be confronted with the reality of the loss of control and cast around for someone to blame. In addressing the realities of trust ownership, the exercise of powers of removal and appointment can offer a solution to issues with the dynamics between … Continue reading
Bean v Bean is a an application to strike out a Family Protection Act 1955 (FPA) claim on the basis that it has no prospect of success. The bar is set high for such a claim. While any such claim will depend on its own facts, Bean v Bean is an interesting study of the procedural and tactical aspects … Continue reading
Probate, or proving, of a will can be made in common or solemn form. As noted at [4] in Young v Young “Probate in solemn form is generally irrevocable; probate in common form is revocable.” By way of general observation probate in common form is what is most commonly sought. Probate in solemn form is … Continue reading
The moral dimension of trusteeship arises in many contexts. The recent New Zealand court decisions concerning information obligations to beneficiaries, and the way this is dealt with in the new Trusts Bill, highlight the difficulty of judging what information is too much or too little to disclose. However, general principles on disclosure bypass the consideration … Continue reading
It can be hard enough to deal with being de-friended on Face Book. But what about when your mother favours the sibling who lived with her for her whole life over you? Rule and Belcher v Rule and Charles Whata J grappled with this reality when an elderly mother entered into a new will days after suffering … Continue reading
Matters of Trust 