Legacy planning brings values, people, and practical detail together.
A well-prepared estate conversation considers the people you care about, your wishes, your assets, and the advisers who help coordinate them.
Most estate plans have gaps that only appear when it is too late
A will is an important part of an estate plan, but it is not the only document or arrangement to consider. In New Zealand, KiwiSaver funds generally form part of an estate, while the outcome under a life policy can depend on the policy owner, life insured, any co-owner arrangement, and the specific policy wording.
A nominated beneficiary is available on some, but not all, life policies. Crestwell uses and reviews policy ownership and co-owner arrangements where appropriate; those arrangements should be checked whenever relationships, business ownership, trustees, or family circumstances change.
We coordinate the financial aspects of your estate plan — working alongside your solicitor to ensure your wishes are reflected consistently across every asset you own.
Estate planning advice for every situation
People without an up-to-date will
Dying without a will — or with an outdated one — can create uncertainty, delay, and difficult decisions for the people left to administer your estate. We coordinate with your solicitor so the financial picture supports the legal work.
Business owners planning succession
Your business is part of your estate. We advise on how to structure the business for succession — whether to family, management, or external buyers — and the insurance that funds it.
Families with complex assets
Property, trusts, business interests, investments, and policy ownership arrangements all need to be considered together. We coordinate the financial aspects of the conversation across those areas.
People considering wealth transfer now
Transferring wealth during your lifetime can raise questions about control, fairness, future needs, and legal or tax consequences. We help bring the financial discussion together with the right legal and tax specialists.
Coordinating the financial side of your estate plan
Coordinate with your legal team
Estate planning requires both financial and legal advice. We work alongside your solicitor to ensure the financial aspects of your plan are consistent with your legal documents.
Review policy ownership and co-owner arrangements
For life and related protection policies, we review who owns the policy, who is insured, and whether co-owner arrangements fit the people and purpose being protected. The policy wording and insurer process matter, and some insurers offer nominations while others use ownership arrangements instead.
Work alongside your trust and legal advisers
Trust and estate structures have legal consequences. We help set out the financial context and coordinate with your solicitor and trustees, who advise on the legal structure and documentation.
Plan for incapacity
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document prepared with your lawyer. We help you consider the financial decisions and practical information that may need to be available if someone loses capacity.
Structure business succession
If your business is part of your estate, we advise on how to structure the succession — including the insurance that funds a buy-sell and the financial plan for the people involved.
Consider the financial impact
We help you consider cash flow, protection, business obligations, and long-term family needs across different scenarios. Where tax or legal consequences matter, we coordinate with the appropriate specialist.
What to expect from a Crestwell estate planning review
- A coordinated financial strategy that works alongside your legal documents
- A review of KiwiSaver estate administration, insurance policy ownership and co-owner arrangements, and relevant investment account processes
- A clear financial brief for your solicitor, trustees, and other appropriate specialists
- Business succession planning that integrates with your financial plan
- Ongoing reviews as your assets, family, and wishes change
Policy ownership, co-owner arrangements, provider rules, and legal estate documents can affect how a claim is administered. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. We work alongside your solicitor and other appropriate specialists, and always check the relevant policy wording before changes are made.
Ready to bring the right people into the conversation?
Start a conversation about your wider financial position, your current policy ownership arrangements, and the questions to take to your legal team.
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