Jersey: Family and Matrimonial

Modern trust structures face unprecedented challenges from aging populations, evolving family dynamics, and changing investment expectations. How can trustees navigate mental capacity issues...

Who is to be treated as a child for the purpose of construing how an offshore trust or will is supposed to operate?

Modern family structures have transformed the legal landscape of inheritance and trust law in Jersey and Guernsey. From blended families and adoption to same-sex relationships and surrogacy arrangements, determining who qualifies as a 'child' or 'issue' requires careful navigation of evolving legislation, historical distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children, and the specific dates when trusts and wills were executed.

What is needed is to slow things down and create clarity. A simple cashflow plan – mapping income, outgoings and the impact of any settlement payments over time – helps you understand what you can afford now, what may become tight later, and which decisions are genuinely urgent versus those that can wait.

Collas Crill has contributed to The Global Legal Post's second edition of the Law Over Borders Comparative Guide to Family Asset Protection.

Jersey is widely recognised as a trusted jurisdiction by UHNW/HNW families for the establishment of trusts due to its robust...

In this Q&A, Pam Aubert, CEO of the JSPCA, explores how legacy gifts in Wills have transformed animal welfare in Jersey for over a century. She discusses the charity's reliance on community funding, shares the inspiring story of their founder Frances Elizabeth Wilson, and reveals plans for a new facility that will secure the organization's sustainable future.

When a loved one passes away in Jersey, understanding the legal distinction between movable and immovable property is crucial for proper estate administration. This guide walks through the essential steps from locating Wills and obtaining death certificates to navigating probate requirements and avoiding the criminal offence of intermeddling.

Planning your funeral arrangements in advance can provide crucial guidance for loved ones and help avoid family disputes during an already difficult time. Julian de la Cour, Managing Funeral Director at Maillards Funeral Directors, discusses the practical benefits of documenting funeral wishes, the role of prepaid funeral plans, and how modern funeral services are evolving to celebrate life rather than simply mourn death.