Succession

Start date
01 July 1996
Status
Closed
Phone
04 473 3453
Click timeline icons to jump to content

Project Overview

This project reviews the law of succession. This is the law which governs how a person's property is to be dealt with when they die.

Terms of Reference 

The purpose of the project is to review, reform and develop

  • the Wills Act 1837 (UK)
  • the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949
  • the Family Protection Act 1955
  • the Matrimonial Property Act 1963, and
  • the Administration Act 1969.

The ultimate aim is to have a new Succession Act drafted in plain language which will

  • provide for all these succession laws in one statute
  • simplify the law.
  • enable better effect to be given to the intentions of will-makers, and
  • take account of the diversity of New Zealand families.