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Five Legal Matters to Review Before Moving Into a Retirement Village
Moving into a retirement village usually involves more legal paperwork than people initially expect. Before signing an Occupation Right Agreement, residents are required to receive independent legal advice.
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What’s going on with retirement villages at the moment?
Proposed changes to retirement village laws introduce a repayment timeframe and interest on delays — but in practice, families may still be waiting for their capital. Here’s what you need to know before signing an Occupation Right Agreement.
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Why You May Be Asked to See a Doctor Before Signing a Will
Being asked to see a doctor before signing a Will can feel unnecessary. In many cases, it’s not about capacity at all - it’s about protecting your decisions if your Will is later questioned.
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Separated but Living Together in New Zealand: How the Law Applies
It is more common than people realise for couples to separate but continue living in the same home. Sometimes that is because of children. Sometimes it is financial.
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Quick Guide: Changing Trustees of a Family Trust
If your trust owns just the family home, changing trustees can feel like a simple update. It isn’t.
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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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