Jersey: Wills/ Intestacy/ Estate Planning

Under Jersey law, if a person has no Will of Jersey immovable estate (the Will), as soon as they die, their freehold property automatically passes to their heirs at law, being their natural beneficiaries.

For decades, the relationship between trustees and beneficiaries was defined by quiet deference – beneficiaries trusted their trustees, accepted decisions, and rarely questioned how trusts were managed.

When it comes to estate planning, many people assume that their stepchildren will automatically inherit from them in the same way as biological or legally adopted children.

The Probate (Jersey) Law 1998 (as amended) introduced a ‘Fast-Track' procedure to obtain a Jersey Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration in estates...

Significantly for Jersey law trusts established prior to the introduction of the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984, the Court held that the English law rules on perpetuities...

Despite the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984 ("Trusts Law") expressly providing against the rule against perpetuities currently applying in Jersey...

Partner John Bisson continues onto the second of three episodes in our Let's Talk Law Jersey podcast series and shares his impressive knowledge about the importance of wills and probate.

Having recently dealt with a 17-and-a-half-foot long family tree, identifying 73 potential heirs to an intestate estate, I am once again reminded of the importance of making a will, choosing who you wish to inherit your assets on your death.

Stamp duty payable on immovable property on death can be significant and requires careful consideration when estate planning.