Mr Pratley was a Court appointed executor and trustee of two estates. At the time of his appointment a 2-day hearing had already been set down to determine a claim against the prior executor and trustee. The time-line is as follows: Mr Pratley’s appointment as executor and trustee – 20 October 2015 21 October 2015 Mr … Continue reading
Trustees fall out, sometimes to the point where a working relationship is no longer possible. Applications to remove trustees are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. So, should trustees fight attempts to remove them? When is it appropriate to do so, and when not? And what are the potential consequences of misjudged opposition? The recent decision … Continue reading
Disclosure of trust information to beneficiaries is commonly considered. However, what of disclosure to the trustees? Consider the case of Daniel v Cundall. In this case Mr Daniel and Mr Cundall were the trustees of a trust. Mr Daniel, a lawyer, says that he left the day-to-day trust administration to Mr Cundall. After a long period of … Continue reading
The informality associated with loans between family members can lead to later disputes when different interpretations of the transaction emerge. Warin v Warin is a case in point. In that case $367,903.90 was advanced to the Warins’ daughter. The loan comprised: $100,000 that was initially secured by mortgage in 1997 $141,749.70 that was loaned to … Continue reading
In Davis v White (see You aren’t my beneficiary – are you??) a trust was found to have failed by reason of uncertainty. The second hearing of the matter related to costs and is a sobering tale for trustees. Mrs White who incurred significant costs (AUD 40,893 and $85,369.50 in New Zealand, plus disbursements) said that the proceedings could … Continue reading
On 17 July 2016 the Sunday Star Times reported about a family at war over a mansion with an opening quote that read “Lawyers say the judiciary are increasingly overturning wills in family disputes.” The dispute ended up in the High Court, firstly regarding an application for the removal of the trustees and secondly a … Continue reading
Trusts are a bit like plants – tend them and nourish them and you can reap the rewards for years. Leave them alone and even if once well tended to, the plant can bolt or fail. The story that became Murrell v Hamilton provides a sad example of what can happen when trustees fail to collectively … Continue reading
Family trusts are tricky things. The more so when there are loose ideas about maintaining and benefitting beneficiaries; but no real means to do so. Commonly such trusts own a single asset and require regular financial or other assistance from the settlor or involved trustees. Such was the position of the trust settled by one Mrs … Continue reading
Corporate trustees are a common feature of modern trusts. Professionals increasingly act through corporate trustees to address concerns over liability. While some concern has been raised about the wisdom of utlising uncapitalised corporate trustees – the practice is widely acknowledged and accepted. Where views diverge is on when or whether corporate trustees should accept multiple appointments. Unless … Continue reading
The common intention constructive trust is a rare beast. When trying to make such an argument it is essential to have the facts right as demonstrated in the decision in Ridge v Parore (Common Intention Constructive Trust, or not). The cost of getting the argument wrong in an argument that the court described as “doomed … Continue reading
