Blog » Trust Law & More Limited

Loan or gift? Why family advances should be recorded properly

Family financial help is common. Parents may help an adult child buy a home. A grandparent may contribute money toward a property.

Posted 27 hours ago

Missing trust documents: what can be done?

Incomplete trust documents can create real problems for trustees, especially when AML checks, bank lending, property transactions or trustee changes are involved. This article explains why trust records need to be kept for the life of the trust and why missing documents should be dealt with early.

Posted 3 days ago

Changing Trustees of a Family Trust: What Is Involved?

Changing trustees is usually straightforward when there is no mortgage involved. If the trust has bank lending, the process can take longer because the bank may need to consent, complete AML checks and update its lending documents.

Posted 3 days ago

Why your trust may need an IRD number for a property transaction

A trust may need its own IRD number before certain property transactions can be completed, even if the trust has no income and has been treated as non-active. This article explains why IRD numbers are needed, how the bright-line rule fits in, and why it is worth checking the trust’s tax position early.

Posted 38 days ago

AML checks: why your lawyer asks for so much information

AML checks are now a normal part of legal work in New Zealand. They can feel repetitive and paperwork-heavy, especially where a trust, property transaction or bank lending is involved. This article explains why lawyers ask for identity information, source of funds, source of wealth and trust details.

Posted 48 days ago

So you’ve decided to move into a retirement village? 5 legal matters you may need to sort out

Moving into a retirement village is often treated as one decision: choosing the village and choosing the unit.

Posted 52 days ago

What your lawyer is checking when advising on an Occupation Right Agreement

Legal advice on an Occupation Right Agreement is not just a signing appointment. Your lawyer should help you understand the ORA, disclosure documents, fees, repayment timing and how the agreement fits with the rest of your retirement village move.

Posted 53 days ago

Buying an ORA: What will you, or your estate, get back from the village?

When you move into a retirement village, it is important to understand what you pay, what may be deducted, when repayment happens, and what your estate may receive later.

Posted 54 days ago

Moving into a Retirement Village with a Family Trust

If there is a family trust involved in a retirement village move, the trustees need to check what the trust owns, what the deed allows, how any ORA payment should be treated, and whether the trust is still needed.

Posted 55 days ago

Dealing with Legal Matters When Those Involved are in Different Places

A retirement village move may involve people in Auckland, elsewhere in New Zealand or overseas. The legal work can often be managed by Zoom and electronic signing, but Wills and EPAs still need careful in-person signing.

Posted 57 days ago