Probate, Executorship, Inheritance and Estates
After losing a loved one, your attention is on your family not administration. We can ease the load by assisting with legal and financial matters in the following ways:
Probate
A Grant of Probate (or Administration) is a document issued by the Royal Court of Jersey authorising people referred to as Personal Representatives (Executors or Administrators) to administer the Jersey movable assets (ie. not real estate) of a deceased person.
If you are appointed executor of a Will or a loved one has died without a Will, we can guide you through the Probate process and advise you as to your rights and responsibilities in unlocking the assets.
International Probate
Our expertise extends to the intricacies of private international law, and we often assist clients and intermediaries in relation to cross-border Probate. From "fast track" Probate for British (non-Jersey) estates to full Jersey Probate applications for foreign domiciliaries, we can remove the complexity of cross-border Probate. Click here to find out more about Jersey Probate for non-Jersey domiciliaries.
Executorship
An executor is responsible for administering the estate of a deceased person and paying to the ultimate beneficiaries. It can be a heavy burden, especially in substantial estates or complex circumstances such as high-risk assets, cross-border issues and family sensitivities. The executor is personally liable to the beneficiaries for preserving the estate.
We can advise you on your options if you have been nominated as executor and guide you through your duties if you decide to take on the responsibility. We are often instructed by clients to act as executor, either nominated directly by will, as attorney for the nominated executor, or as executor dative if necessary or convenient in the circumstances of the case. Our trust corporation, Bedell Cristin Executors Limited, has been specifically incorporated to take on the responsibility of executorship, providing continuity and protecting you from the risk that your nominated executor may be unwilling or unable to take on the role.
Inheritance
We are often instructed by heirs and beneficiaries of a deceased person’s estate as to their entitlements, the legal process and the duties of executorship. We can advise as to issues with Wills, such as poorly drafted DIY Wills or lost Wills, and making representations to the Royal Court to rectify any problems.
Two new pieces of Cayman Islands ("Cayman") legislation have introduced important new obligations for trustees of Cayman trusts and Cayman trust companies. There are new obligations on trustees to keep records on those connected with the trust (including se...
For the first time, a financial institution in Jersey has been sentenced in the Royal Court for the offence of intermeddling under the Probate (Jersey) Law 1998 ("the Probate Law"). This article explains the lessons to be learnt.
A new piece of legislation introducing lasting powers of attorney ("LPAs") to Jersey is a welcome addition to the Island’s legal framework.
Bedell Cristin Jersey and Guernsey have been shortlisted for 'Law Firm of the Year' in the Citywealth IFC Awards 2018.
Bedell Cristin is a finalist in two categories of the prestigious STEP Private Client Awards 2017/18.
Bedell Cristin has been shortlisted for ‘Offshore Law Firm of the Year’ in the prestigious annual awards organised by The Lawyer.
Bedell Cristin has been awarded the Offshore Client Service Award at the prestigious Chambers Europe Awards.
The Wills & Successions (Jersey) Law 1993, as amended (the "Law") was the subject of a Report by Professor Meryl Thomas ("Professor Thomas") dated 12 October 2009, which was commissioned by the Jersey Community Relations Trust in 2009 (the "Report"). The Re...
This briefing explains when you should make a Jersey will if you are not domiciled in Jersey. It only deals with movable assets in Jersey and not, therefore, land or other immovable property situate in Jersey.
This briefing provides answers to some of the key questions which you may have regarding the need for you to make a will. It should be noted that this briefing only applies to individuals who are domiciled in Jersey.
The Capacity and Self-Determination (Jersey) Law 2016 (the "Capacity Law"), which came into effect on 1 October 2018, has introduced lasting powers of attorney ("LPA") to Jersey. A Jersey LPA is a new instrument whereby a person (the "donor") appoints ano...