Questions for lawyers Found 20

My mother told us before she died that she wanted to be cremated and have her ashes scattered at a particular place, but some family members disagree and want a burial instead. Are her wishes legally binding on us?

I have agreed to be the executor for a friend’s estate. I want to do a good job, but I am worried about getting something wrong and being personally liable. What exactly is expected of me? Nobody has given me a straight answer and I want to understand where I actually stand.

My husband recently passed away, and we owned our house and other property together. I am unsure whether I simply keep everything as the surviving partner or if the estate has some claim over it. How does this work?

I want to update my will to add a grandchild as a beneficiary and change an executor. Can I just write the changes on the existing will, or do I need to start again with a lawyer’s help? I want to make sure I am not missing anything important before I decide what to do.

My parents set up a family trust years ago and transferred the family home into it. Now that they have both passed away, I am unsure whether the house forms part of their estate or belongs to someone else. How does a trust affect inheritance?

I have just inherited a sum of money and some shares from a relative’s estate. Someone told me that inheritances are taxed heavily in some countries. Do I have to pay any tax on what I receive in New Zealand?

My brother is the executor of our late father’s estate, but months have passed with no updates, and I suspect he may be using estate funds for himself. I am a beneficiary. What can I do to protect my interests?

My uncle’s will left a specific amount of money to several nieces and nephews, plus a house to one sibling, but after debts and expenses were paid there does not seem to be enough left to pay all the cash gifts in full. How is this resolved?

My mother passed away with some credit card debt and a small personal loan outstanding, and I am worried that as her child I might have to pay these debts personally. What is the legal position on inherited debt?

My father passed away recently and, as far as we know, he never made a will. We do not know what happens to his house, savings and belongings, or who is legally allowed to deal with his affairs. How does the law decide this?