It dealt, for example, with intestate estates, i.e. where people died owning property whose value is greater than the sum of their enforceable debts and funeral expenses without having made a valid will.

[2] The Public Trust has had a number of offices in Christchurch throughout its history, with rapid growth necessitating frequent moves.

The office moved to two further buildings in Cathedral Square before a freehold property was purchased at 96 Gloucester Street; this was the department's home from 1909.

The current owner, Tailorspace, applied to an independent hearings panel set up for the Christchurch Replacement District Plan to have the local heritage listing revoked, and this request was granted on 12 July 2016.

[7] The Public Trust Building is located at 152–156 Oxford Terrace in the Christchurch Central City.