Estate and trust administration

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Jackson Russell acts in the administration of a large number of discretionary family, charitable and foreign trusts, and is involved in all aspects of estate administration. 


For many estates, our partners act as executors, and for many of our clients’ trusts our partners (either personally or through our trustee companies) act as trustees and/or assist with their administration.
 
In addition to the general administration of estates, we are involved with ongoing life interest estates, charitable trusts established by wills and advising executors and trustees on the many complex issues that arise in the administration and distribution of estates. Our firm has been involved in the administration of some charitable trusts established by will for over 100 years. For the large number of trusts we administer or are otherwise involved with, we advise their trustees on the many complex legal and family issues that can arise in their administration. 
 
Our expertise
  • Advising trustees, executors and beneficiaries on all aspects of the law relating to estates and trusts, including the effect and implications of the Administration Act 1969, the Trustee Act 1956, the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 and the Family Protection Act 1955
  • Administering estates, both simple and complex, including acting as executor
  • Administering discretionary family trusts, charitable trusts and foreign trusts, including acting as trustee
  • Applying for grants of probate and letters of administration
  • Applying for validation of wills
  • Negotiating and drafting deeds of family arrangement
Estate and trust administration experience
  • Following the death of a client: obtaining probate, advising executors and meeting with beneficiaries, taking all necessary steps to realise all assets including the sale of the family home by auction, and making distributions to beneficiaries.
  • Acting as trustee (personally and through our trustee companies, and as sole and joint trustee) of discretionary family and charitable trusts.
  • Undertaking the administration of discretionary family, charitable and foreign trusts, and advising on legal issues affecting the trusts and their beneficiaries.
  • Negotiating and documenting a deed of family arrangement, to vary the terms of an estate to avoid continuing litigation.
  • Drafting consents and indemnities to enable an early distribution of an estate to its beneficiaries.
  • Acting for disputing claimants in a mediation of an estate dispute.
  • Administering a substantial foreign trust and approving grants to qualifying beneficiaries.
  • Providing a legal opinion to the offshore trustee of two foreign trusts on his duties and obligations and on conflict issues in relation to a deed of settlement.
  • Undertaking the windup and distribution of a European based trust including consultation with local accounting and tax experts.
Key contacts
Kelly Key Contact
Kelly Seabourne
PARTNER
Property & Private Client
Israel Key Contact
Israel Vaealiki
PARTNER
Private Client & Trusts
CONTACT US

Level 13, 41 Shortland Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

PO Box 3451, Auckland 1140, New Zealand

+64 9 303 3849

enquiry@jacksonrussell.co.nz

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