-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Probating a will is generally accepted as an essential step to allow executors to administer an estate. However, where there are challenges or other complications, it is important to appreciate that there may be steps that can be taken without probate. As executors derive title from the will, rather than probate (which merely proves the … Continue reading
Disclosure requests in the context of trusts, wills and estate can raise complex issues that can require the assistance of the court to resolve, particularly following the introduction of the Trusts Act 2019 and before the expected case law that will be realised in due course. However, in some cases it is simply a matter … Continue reading
The subject of who determines capacity is a live topic. Is it medical? Is it legal? More importantly, does it make sense? The test regarding testamentary capacity is generally well understood. The trick is to understand it. The High Court decision in Public Trust v Lawrence clearly articulates the divide between understood and understand. As … 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
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
The background to Hamilton v Kirwan can be set out as follows: A 58.9450 hectare block of rural land (the Property) was purchased in 1984 In December 1997 the Property owner’s daughter began living on the Property. In 2000 she built a dwelling on the Property part of which was funded by a $20,000 advance … Continue reading
Wills that do not meet the requirements of the Wills Act 2007 as set out in s 11 of that Act can be validated pursuant to s 14 of the Wills Act. As noted in Estate of Phillips at [25], “The critical enquiry is whether the documents does any or all of the things described … Continue reading
Moon v Lafferty is an unsuccessful claim for discovery before commencement. The background of the claim is a family estrangement. The applicants’ mother settled a trust during her life and gifted $300,000 to that trust from a settlement of $388,871 the deceased received from litigation between her and her daughter Jessica (one of the applicants). … Continue reading
Re W relates to the scenario of which movies are made where a relative leaves considerable wealth to a single individual. In this case the prior beneficiary of the deceased’s wealth was to be his sister, W’s mother. However, after the deceased became estranged from his sister, the deceased altered his will so as to … Continue reading
Matters of Trust 