Our German Desk
Dispute resolution for wills, trusts and estates is a key area of Hesketh Henry’s Private Wealth practice.
You can consult our Private Wealth team about disputes between trustees and beneficiaries, on the interpretation of trust deeds, the review of trustee decisions, and a range of other situations which arise. As the Court has a supervisory role in relation to trusts there are often instances where the Court’s assistance is required so that everyone can have comfort about taking a particular course of action. Hesketh Henry is experienced in guiding parties through these processes, both as legal advisor and through our experience in acting as trustee.
If you need legal assistance related to an estate dispute, Hesketh Henry can help with expert advice that aims to resolve situations effectively with minimal stress and expense. Our Private Wealth team can assist with contesting or challenging a will, a situation that can arise if you’ve been left out of a will and can claim through the Family Protection Act or Testamentary Promises Act. You can also consult us about disputes between estate beneficiaries and cases involving modifications to a will where undue influence or the will-maker’s capacity may be a factor. Another area of our work related to wills is the validation of testamentary documents, which define last wishes but don’t meet all the requirements of a legal will. We also often act for overseas parties who want to understand their position under New Zealand law, and what is required to bring a successful claim (including relevant timeframes).
Relationship property issues are often intermingled with trust and estate disputes, and we can also provide advice on this area of law.
