Families passing significant assets to the next generation want expert advice so they can feel confident about the security and ultimate disposition of their assets. Financial institutions handling estates of clients need expert, confidential legal advice as to avoiding, or handling, disputes.

These are among the situations in which the Dentons' Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation Group excels. Leverage our significant expertise in estate and trust planning, asset protection, tax planning, succession planning, wills, trusts, estate and trust administration, charitable giving, pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and other domestic agreements, fiduciary accounting, estate and trust-related litigation and powers of attorney.

The personal nature of this work demands much more: you need a seasoned advisor dedicated to the security of your finances now and well into the future. You need a confidante and advocate, someone to whom you can talk and whom you can trust implicitly, someone who will be available to you in emergencies. We can deliver on all these aspects, locally as well as around the world and across legal disciplines: one call does it all, whether planning an estate or dealing with estates and trusts post death. You can place your confidence in the lawyers at Dentons.

Benefit from a full range of sophisticated legal, tax and financial planning advice to meet your personal goals. We focus on our clients' and their intended beneficiaries' long-term financial and estate planning requirements, as well as addressing more immediate personal, financial, or estate or trust-related matters. We assist executors and trustees in the administration of complex estates and trusts. Dentons also stands ready to handle estate and trust-related litigation, working with our host of experienced litigators when appropriate.

Recognition

J. Winston Busby elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)

October 15, 2024

The Firm is proud to announce that J. Winston Busby has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”).

Dentons in New Zealand achieves top rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2024

July 22, 2024

Dentons is proud to announce that our Private Wealth practice has retained Band 1 ranking and is the leading Private Wealth Law firm in the renowned Chambers and Partners High Net Worth (HNW) Guide for 2024. This recognition demonstrates the firm's unwavering commitment to excellence, exceptional client service, and unparalleled expertise in serving high net worth individuals and families.

Dentons Partner Henry Brandts-Giesen recognised in Who’s Who Legal: Private Client 2023

December 20, 2023

Dentons is proud to announce that Private Wealth Partner Henry Brandts-Giesen has been recognised in the renowned Who’s Who Legal: Private Client Report for 2023.

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Insights

Dentons New Zealand submissions on Inland Revenue’s ‘Taxation and the not-for-profit sector’ issues paper

May 9, 2025

New Zealand: On 24 February 2025, the New Zealand Inland Revenue (IRD) published an officials’ issues paper: Taxation and the not-for-profit sector (Issues Paper). Among others, the Issues Paper outlined proposals to tax business income of charities in so far as it is unrelated to their charitable purposes and to tighten rules for donor-controlled charities. We welcomed the opportunity to comment on the proposals but ultimately urged IRD not to go ahead with them. We have set out a summary of our submissions, including the Government’s response.

Government to provide tax relief via new Foreign Investment Fund calculation method

March 18, 2025

New Zealand: In news that will be welcomed by new migrants to New Zealand, returning New Zealanders, and the business community, the Government has confirmed reforms to the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules with the introduction of a realisation-based calculation method.

New Zealand Government confirms relaxed requirements for residency by investment

February 9, 2025

New Zealand: The Prime Minister of New Zealand has just confirmed details of the long-awaited changes to the Active Investor Plus resident visa programme (AIP Programme) which is New Zealand’s residency by investment programme. The changes follow concerns over the current high investment thresholds of the programme and its focus on riskier investments, which has led to a significant decline in applicants as compared to the previous Investor 1 and Investor 2 resident visa programmes. The Government’s changes aim to make the AIP Programme more accessible, while still encouraging meaningful investments in New Zealand's economy.

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News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Key Promotions Highlight Dentons' Growth in New Zealand

December 13, 2024

Dentons is proud to announce its latest promotions in New Zealand, which further strengthen key areas and showcase the depth of capability across the firm. 

Dentons in New Zealand achieves top rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2024

July 22, 2024

Dentons is proud to announce that our Private Wealth practice has retained Band 1 ranking and is the leading Private Wealth Law firm in the renowned Chambers and Partners High Net Worth (HNW) Guide for 2024. This recognition demonstrates the firm's unwavering commitment to excellence, exceptional client service, and unparalleled expertise in serving high net worth individuals and families.

Dentons identifies critical risk areas in annual family office survey report

May 13, 2024

Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm and wealth management industry leader serving the international family office and family wealth industry, has launched The Evolving Risk Landscape for Family Offices - Survey Report (http://www.dentons.com/familyofficerisksurvey).

View all press releases for Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation