Tuesday, 3 March 2026
Chair
Stephanie Irons, Director, Davenports Law
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Trusts and the Modern Brady Bunch: Spousal and Blended Family Issues
Trusts are a common (and effective) way of managing assets in blended families. But they are not without their pitfalls.
- Planning and structure: an appropriate structure at the outset is critical to the success of the Trust over time
- The importance of independent trusteeship where there are complex family dynamics
- Surviving the death of a patriarch: suitability and longevity of the structure once the king pin has gone
- Appropriate situations to call on the Court for assistance
Presented by Theresa Donnelly, Head of Legal Services, Perpetual Guardian and Henry Stokes, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Perpetual Guardian
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the key trust structuring considerations and risks associated with blended family arrangements
- Examine the role of trusteeship, succession planning and court involvement in managing complex family trust disputes and transitions
Presenters
Henry Stokes, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Perpetual Guardian
Henry Stokes has been in private practice and acted as in-house counsel for a combined period of over 30 years. He is currently Group General Counsel, for Perpetual Guardian. Henry specialises in the areas of wills, estates, trusts (both family and charitable) and protection of personal and property rights matters, including having appeared in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. Henry has advised on all areas from the preparation and implementation stages through to the disputes, claims and proceedings stages, and is a fiduciary expert. He is a key member of the Group Leadership Team at Perpetual Guardian which are responsible for the strategic direction of the Group. Henry is an advocate for the trustee industry working together to provide world class trustee services to New Zealanders. He is a proponent of practical advice for trustees and beneficiaries alike so that all participants have a true understanding to be making fully informed decisions.
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.
Stephanie Irons, Director, Davenports Law
Stephanie enjoys advising on all aspects of asset planning, including reviews and restructuring of existing trust structures, as well as the establishment of new structures and trusts. She appreciates the importance of understanding each client, and their families, unique circumstances and objectives when advising on asset planning structures. Stephanie has assisted families in navigating contentious estate and trust matters, with a focus on constructive solutions. She also advises on all aspects of relationship property, including contracting out agreements and separations. Stephanie is a member of The Law Association Trust Law Committee. Outside of work, when Stephanie is not busy with her three young children, she loves running and watching stand-up comedy.
