Blog
Retirement Village ORAs: The Real Risk Often Appears at Exit
Buying into a retirement village? Exit repayments under ORAs can be delayed. Understand the risks, proposed law changes, and what to consider before signing.
Read more about 'Retirement Village ORAs: The Real Risk Often Appears at Exit'...
Why a final failure clause in your Will matters more than you might think
When most people make a Will, they picture a fairly straightforward sequence. One of us will go first. Everything passes to the other.
Read more about 'Why a final failure clause in your Will matters more than you might think'...
Understanding the Roles in a Family Trust
(and why getting them wrong causes problems later) Family trusts are often described as if they’re simple containers that hold assets.
Read more about 'Understanding the Roles in a Family Trust'...
Moving into a Retirement Village When You Have a Family Trust
If you’re moving into a retirement village and you have a family trust, don’t assume everything will slot neatly into place. Villages take very different approaches to trust-owned assets, and your ORA is often the moment when long-ignored trust issues surface. A quick review can confirm whether the trust still protects you, needs updating, or is simply adding complexity you no longer need. If your trust hasn’t been reviewed in five years, now is the time to check it’s working for this next stage of life.
Read more about 'Moving into a Retirement Village When You Have a Family Trust'...
Planning for Memory Care & Residential Care Subsidies
A practical guide for families facing decisions for loved ones suffering from dementia and in need of memory care. Includes Enduring Powers of Attorney, trusts, Advance Care Plans, and Residential Care Subsidy planning.
Read more about 'Planning for Memory Care & Residential Care Subsidy'...
Retirement Village Living or Staying Home? The Two Very Different Realities
Many people want to stay home, others embrace retirement village life. Take a look at this week's blog post which explains both realities and how to decide what’s right for you.
Read more about 'Retirement Village Living or Staying Home? The Two Very Different Realities'...
Occupation Right Agreements Explained: A Plain-English Guide for NZ Residents
A clear, plain-English guidance on Occupation Right Agreements in New Zealand. Learn what an ORA is, how it works, and why independent legal advice is required before moving into a retirement village.
Read more about 'Occupation Right Agreements Explained: A Plain-English Guide for NZ Residents'...
Who Wants to Be an Executor?
You’ve been named as an executor in someone’s Will. Cue the lights, music, and suspense. . . . . . Who wants to be an executor . . .
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New Zealand
When someone dies without a Will, the law — not their family — decides who inherits. The rules under New Zealand’s Administration Act 1969 may seem fair on paper, but they rarely match what people would have wanted. Here’s how the law divides an estate and why putting a Will in place ensures everything is handled as you intend.
Read more about 'What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New Zealand'...
Inside a Will: What the Key Clauses Actually Do
Understand what’s really in a New Zealand Will. Learn what each clause means, why it’s there, and how the details protect your estate and family.
Read more about 'Inside a Will: What the Key Clauses Actually Do'...