Trust holdings for minors

Under the Public Trustee Act, any money, excluding wages and salaries, payable to a child under the age of nineteen are to be held in trust by the Public Trustee unless some other person has been appointed by the court to receive a child's money.

Sources of money to be held in trust include, but are not limited to:

• lottery winnings,
• inheritances from an estate,
• accident settlements, and
• life insurance payments.

Where funds are required for the maintenance or education of a child, a part of the money may be released from trust for that purpose. The money may be paid directly to a child's parents or guardians or another person as required.

Generally outside of Yellowknife, the Public Trustee may rely upon the Government Service Officers - especially in cases where a person is seeking assistance in an aboriginal language.