Blog
The Hidden (and usually Unpaid) Work Behind Being an Executor, Trustee or Attorney
When people are asked to act as an executor under a Will, a trustee of a family trust, or an attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney, the usual response…
Deadlocked on decisions: when trustees can't agree
A trust is built on the assumption that the trustees will act together.
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When older family trusts no longer do what they were set up to do
When older family trusts no longer do what they were set up to do A pattern I see regularly involves family trusts that were set up ten or more years ago,…
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Separated but not divorced: when “it’s complicated” meets the law
Have you seen the option in Facebook for your relationship status? It says “It’s complicated.
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Five Years On: Do trusts still have a place in NZ?
The end of January 2026 marked five years since the Trusts Act 2019 came fully into force.
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When There Is No Will - Considerations before applying for Letters of Administration
If your spouse has died without a valid Will, you cannot simply “carry on” dealing with their assets.
Why Memoranda of Wishes Matter for Trustee Decision-Making
When a family trust is established, the trust deed records the legal structure: who the beneficiaries are, what powers the trustees hold, and the framework within which those powers must…
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Enduring Powers of Attorney: Essential, but Not Enough on Their Own
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) allows another person to manage your personal and property affairs if you lose mental capacity.
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About to Hit Three Years Together? Is Your Home, Income, and Pre-Relationship Assets (Family Trust Assets) Still Legally Yours?
If you’re living with a partner and getting close to the three-year mark, it’s worth understanding how the Property (Relationships) Act might treat the life - and particularly the assets - you’ve built together (or brought to the relationship).
Retirement Village Law Reform: Five Changes Being Discussed
In early December last year, the NZ Government announced proposed changes to the Retirement Villages Act following years of feedback from residents, families, advocates, and advisers.
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