Modern will drafting is increasingly complex, shaped by blended families, evolving relationship property law, cross‑border issues and heightened scrutiny of capacity and influence. If you are seeking to reduce risk and draft with confidence, then this seminar will assist you as it features leading New Zealand estate practitioners who will discuss smart drafting strategies, key legislative intersections, complex and overseas assets, and the early identification of capacity, duress and undue influence issues. Gain insights from experienced practitioners into common and less obvious drafting mistakes, drawing on real‑life examples and identifying key takeaways for your practice.
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
11.00am to 11.15am Break
Learning Objectives:
- To draft wills strategically to minimise estate disputes through effective, risk‑aware clauses
- Learn to identify and manage cross‑border and complex assets
- To recognise red flags relating to capacity, duress and undue influence and apply best‑practice risk management
- Avoid common drafting pitfalls, strengthen drafting quality and reduce professional risk
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD hours
9.00am to 10.00am Practical Strategies for Will Drafting: How Smart Clauses Help Prevent Future Estate Disputes
- Focus on practical strategies for drafting effective wills that help minimise the risk of future estate disputes
- Explore how careful, forward‑thinking clause selection can address potential estate claims before they arise
- Gain highlights of the key legislative intersections every drafter needs to understand, including the Trusts Act, the Property (Relationships) Act, and other overlapping succession laws that commonly impact Will drafting
Presented by Hannah Whyte, Associate, Tavendale + Partners
10.00am to 11.00am Wills in a Borderless World: Essential Guidance for Cross-Border Estates
- Choice and scope of jurisdiction: worldwide wills vs multiple local wills
- Domicile of the will maker and why it matters
- Using overseas executors and trustees
- Overseas beneficiaries
- How complex assets - including digital assets (such as crypto) and business interests -intensify cross border estate planning challenges
- Relationship property and the international dimension
- Practical case studies and drafting strategies
Presented by Samuel Johnston, Senior Associate, TGT Legal
12.15pm to 1.15pm Panel Discussion: Insights from Real‑Life Will Drafting Errors – Common and Less Obvious Traps
Join a panel of experienced practitioners as they share practical insights into both common and less obvious pitfalls in will drafting. Drawing on real life examples from practice, the discussion will highlight key risk areas, lessons learned and best practice approaches to help you strengthen your drafting and reduce exposure to disputes.
Facilitator: Juliet Moses, Partner, TGT Legal
Panellists:
Bryce Williams, Director, Bryce Williams Law
Joshua Pietras, Senior Associate, Duncan Cotterill
Theresa Donnelly, Head of Legal Services, Perpetual Guardian
11.15am to 12.15pm Spotting Capacity, Duress and Undue Influence Issues: What Drafters Should Look For
- Identify key warning signs of testamentary capacity issues, duress and undue influence
- Learn practical steps to manage risk and protect a client’s intentions
- Understand what to look for when instructions raise concerns or red flags
Presented by Theresa Donnelly, Head of Legal Services, Perpetual Guardian
Chair:
Juliet Moses, Partner, TGT Legal
Presenters
Juliet Moses, Partner, TGT LegalJuliet Moses is a partner at TGT Legal, a boutique law firm based in Auckland specialising in trusts and succession planning. She is a regular presenter of seminars and author of articles on issues arising in those areas. She has spoken at Legalwise, New Zealand Law Society and The Law Association Inc. conferences, and at STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) events. Juliet is the chair of the STEP education committee. Through over 20 years of practice as a lawyer, Juliet has learned from her clients and gained invaluable experience and insights about people, relationships, approaches to wealth and its management, and structuring. She provides advice and opinions on legal issues relating to trusts as well as on estate planning, relationship property, estates and wills. She assists with the establishment, administration and restructuring of trusts, including family trusts, superannuation schemes and charities. She regularly works with trustees, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, advising them on their rights and obligations.
Bryce Williams, Director, Bryce Williams Law
Bryce is a specialist in wills, estates, and elder law and has been in legal practice for over two decades. For a decade he led the estates and elder law team for a regional law firm in the greater Wellington region. Bryce Williams Law was established in 2024 to serve the legal needs of people nearing retirement, retirees, people who lack mental capacity, the elderly, those dealing with grief through the estate administration process, and resolving disputes post-death. He also acts for corporate and charitable clients who operate residential care facilities, providing general advice and debt recovery services.
Samuel Johnston, Senior Associate, TGT Legal
Samuel Johnston is a Senior Associate at TGT Legal, specialising in trusts, estates, relationship property and cross‑border succession. He advises clients with complex assets and international connections, and enjoys resolving issues where family, property and jurisdictions intersect.
Theresa Donnelly, Head of Legal Services, Perpetual Guardian
Theresa Donnelly has a wealth of experience in elder law and trust related matters. Theresa graduated from Auckland University in 1992 and has over 30 years’ experience in private practice, government and in-house Legal. Theresa is currently the Legal Services Manager at Perpetual Guardian, and formerly Public Trust (Team Leader) and the Ministry of Social Development, where she was (lead Senior Public Law Team). She is a regular presenter and speaker for professional groups such as Legalwise, NZLS/CLE, TLANZ, CCH and other professional organisations.
Joshua Pietras, Senior Associate, Duncan Cotterill
Joshua has extensive experience in contentious trust and estate matters, acting for both beneficiaries and executors in a broad range of disputes. He has been acted as counsel in various cases involving drafting errors and execution errors for Wills and Trust Deeds.
Hannah Whyte, Associate, Tavendale + Partners
Hannah specialises in trusts and estate matters, in all approaches including advising, drafting, administration and dispute resolution. With a master's degree in Wills, Estates, and Trusts, Hannah combines her academic expertise with practical experience to deliver comprehensive, effective outcomes for her clients. She began her career in general practice in New South Wales, gaining valuable experience in commercial and litigation matters. Hannah’s passion for trusts and elder law led her to focus exclusively on trusts and estates upon returning to New Zealand. This background gives her a strong foundation for her current work in trusts and estates, particularly where complex legal, procedural, or dispute focused issues arise.
