Services
Wills, Trusts, Estates & Asset Planning
Trusted Advice on Wills, Estates, Trusts and Asset Planning
We advise individuals, families, trustees and business owners on wills, trusts, estates and asset planning matters across Central Otago and throughout New Zealand.
This is a core part of our practice. We help clients plan ahead, protect assets, provide for family members and manage estates efficiently when someone dies.
Overview
Wills, trusts, estates and asset planning are about more than preparing documents. They are about ensuring your affairs are structured clearly, your intentions are properly recorded and your family or business is not left dealing with uncertainty later.
We advise on all stages of planning and administration, including wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts, estate administration, succession planning and estate-related disputes. We work with clients to put practical arrangements in place now and, when needed, to guide executors and families through the administration process after a death.
Many of these matters involve family, business, rural or property considerations. Where that occurs, we work closely across those areas to ensure advice is coordinated and commercially sound.
Our Experience
We advise on a wide range of matters, including:
- Wills and estate planning
- Enduring powers of attorney
- Trust establishment, administration and restructuring
- Trust wind-ups and changes to trust arrangements
- Estate administration and executor support
- Succession planning for families and business owners
- Asset protection planning
- Estate disputes and family protection issues
We act for a wide range of clients, including individuals, couples, trustees, farming families, business owners and multi-generational clients.
Wills and estate planning
Clear estate planning is one of the most important steps clients can take to protect their family and assets.
We assist with:
- Preparation and updating of wills
- Estate planning advice
- Structuring gifts and distributions
- Planning for blended family situations
- Coordinating estate planning with trusts, companies and property ownership structures
Our focus is on ensuring intentions are clear and legally effective.
Enduring powers of attorney
We advise on and prepare enduring powers of attorney so that decisions can be made by trusted people if capacity is lost.
This includes:
- Property powers of attorney
- Personal care and welfare powers of attorney
- Advice on appropriate appointments and scope
- Updating older documents where required
Trusts and asset protection
Trusts remain an important tool in many circumstances, but they need to be properly structured and actively managed.
We advise on:
- Establishment of trusts
- Trust administration and trustee responsibilities
- Changes to trust arrangements
- Trust wind-ups and resettlement issues
- Asset protection strategies
- Trusts linked to family, rural or business assets
Estate administration
Administering an estate can involve a significant amount of practical and legal work at a difficult time.
We assist executors and families with:
- Probate and letters of administration
- Collection and distribution of estate assets
- Estate administration processes
- Advice on executor duties and obligations
- Management of estate-related issues and complications
We aim to ensure estates are administered efficiently, clearly and with appropriate support throughout the process.
Succession planning
For many clients, particularly business owners and rural families, succession planning is a major part of asset planning.
We advise on:
- Intergenerational succession
- Transfer of property or business interests
- Structuring succession arrangements
- Trust, company and ownership issues connected to succession
- Balancing family and commercial considerations
Estate disputes and related claims
Disputes can arise after death, particularly where expectations differ or family structures are complex.
We advise on:
- Family Protection Act claims
- Testamentary Promises claims
- Disputes involving wills or estates
- Claims affecting trusts or family assets
Where appropriate, these matters are handled alongside our Family Law or Relationship Property & Separation teams.
Who We Act For
We act for:
- Individuals and families planning for the future
- Executors and administrators of estates
- Trustees and beneficiaries
- Business owners and rural families
- Clients dealing with succession and intergenerational planning
- Clients involved in estate disputes or claims
Why Checketts McKay
We offer:
- A strong and experienced team in estate planning and estate administration
- Practical advice tailored to family, business and rural contexts
- Clear guidance through what can often be sensitive matters
- Coordinated advice across trusts, property, succession and family issues
- Long-standing relationships with many multi-generational clients
This area of law is not simply about documents. It is about providing clarity, certainty and practical support at important stages of life.
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