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Estate Administration

Our experienced team will work to ensure your estate is administered in an efficient and timely manner and guide your family through this complex area of law in an easy-to-understand manner.

We will assist your executors and trustees to ensure that the directions in your will
are followed and their decisions reflect your final wishes.

What We Do

Obtain probate and any other required Court applications
Assist in all matters relating to the administration of an estate

< Employment
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Charles Wilkinson

Director

Linda Wilkinson

Director

John Middleton

Consultant

Jodie Wray

Legal Executive

Leanne Young

Estates Manager

Charles Wilkinson

DIRECTOR | charlesw@connectlegal.co.nz

A Taranaki boy born and bred, Charles has been practising law for 41 years and still gets a huge buzz out of helping clients. He’s a problem solver so helping people with issues such as structuring and finance, commercial and residential property transactions, business acquisitions and mergers, estate planning, trust law and farming is what he does best.

Charles loves getting out into the community, he has been involved with some of Taranaki and New Zealand’s biggest festivals and events and helped make the place we live an even better one. For this, and his service to arts governance and the community Charles has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Years Honours 2023.

Charles has recently retired as Chair of the WOMAD NZ Charitable Trust, Taranaki Arts Festival Trust and the Taranaki Gardens Festival Trust. Charles’ other community involvement includes being the chair of the Tainui Home Trust Board (2005-2011), member of Sacred Heart Girls’ College Board of Trustees (2005-2007), Honorary solicitor for North Taranaki Family Planning Association (1985 -1990) and New Plymouth Riding for the Disabled (2005 – 2013).

Charles also loves being in the outdoors in the garden and whenever he can and heading off on fishing charters throughout New Zealand with a group of likeminded mates

Linda Wilkinson

DIRECTOR | lindaw@connectlegal.co.nz

Linda is an experienced legal practitioner working in trust and estate law as well as residential and commercial property sales and purchases.  Known for her pragmatic approach to the law, Linda understands the solution is often about helping people to find common ground. Linda has a particular interest in asset protection, Wills and estate planning, and is highly skilled in elder law and retirement village purchases.

Linda also represents clients needing support with complicated and difficult estate claims and administration. Her sensible and practical advice has seen many a client through sad and anxious times.

Linda holds a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero award for her extensive community work in the arts and at present is Chair of Alzheimers Taranaki. She is also the local solicitor for a varied number of local charitable organisations such as Forest and Bird and Habitat for Humanity.  

Linda is the mother of three adult children, and enjoys the arts, reading, walking on the beach and socialising with family and friends.

John Middleton

CONSULTANT | johnm@connectlegal.co.nz

John lives in New Plymouth with his wife Eileen and has two grown up daughters.

John is extremely proud of the region and helping with the legal aspect of important issues surrounding Taranaki like farming, education and retirement villages. After more than 40 years in practice he’s well versed in the art of property and commercial law.

Giving back is important to John, he is the past Chair and current member on the Mission College New Plymouth Trust Board (proprietor of Sacred Heart Girls College), a Trustee of Access Radio Taranaki. John helps with Marfell school breakfast club once a week during term time and is a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul cooking for their community meal once per month and helping out in the kitchen.

Kept extremely busy in his spare time, John’s interests include running, cycling the many New Zealand cycle trails, gardening and spending time at the New Plymouth Bridge Club.

Jodie Wray

REGISTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE

jodiew@connectlegal.co.nz

Jodie was born and grew up in Taranaki attending New Plymouth Girls’ High School before joining Billings in 1989 as the office junior. She has worked her way into the complex and busy role of administering estates. Jodie gained her NZLS Legal Executive Certificate in 1999 and is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.

Jodie takes great care when guiding you through the daunting task you can face when sorting out the paperwork and personal affairs of a deceased family member or friend.

Outside the office, Jodie is a keen sports enthusiast. She keeps fit by walking, tramping, and swimming, and enjoys being part of the team participating in the weekly pub quiz.

Leanne Young

ESTATES MANAGER | LEGAL EXECUTIVE
leanney@connectlegal.co.nz

Leanne grew up in Hawke’s Bay where she began her legal career before moving to New Plymouth in 2004 and joining the team in 2014.

Navigating the complex affairs of someone who has died can be a daunting task but Leanne’s empathetic, compassionate and considerate approach will ensure that the process is easily understood. Along with the administration of estates Leanne has an active knowledge of wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts and occupation right agreements. Leanne also has experience in residential conveyancing and carries out sales and purchases for her clients. She takes pride in ensuring that her clients’ affairs are in order before they die by taking a holistic approach to providing solutions that work for them and to make sure their wishes are carried out. She enjoys having a job that allows her to help people and she does this with compassion, consideration and a can-do attitude that her clients appreciate.

Leanne is a Registered Legal Executive and a Fellow member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives with over 20 years’ experience.

Leanne is a past President of the Rotary Club of New Plymouth North and in her spare time enjoys visiting art galleries and exploring the country, either by motorcycle or bicycle, gardening and playing bridge.

Address

Powderham Chambers
136-138 Powderham Street
New Plymouth

Contact

info@connectlegal.co.nz
06 769 8080
0800 733 837
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