Katherine’s Blog

The New Trusts Act comes into force on 31 January 2021.

Tēnā koutou / Greetings to All

Why do we have Trusts?

A Trust is a good vessel for protecting your assets for your children.  You can favour one Beneficiary over another.  The terms of the Trust Deed gives you greater flexibility than your Will.  Your spouse and/or children can make a claim against your estate if you have not provided for them in your Will.  It is more difficult to challenge the distribution of a discretionary Trust.

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One of the hardest things we may deal with is the sudden unexplained death of someone close to us.  It can be complicated further when the matter is referred to the Coroner.  This may happen if the death is unexpected or suspicious.

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Ngā mihi o te tau hou / Greetings for the New Year

The word on the street is that New Year’s Resolutions may be a thing of the past to be replaced by mindfulness and a balanced healthy lifestyle, and spending more time on the activities we enjoy.  One of the most important things for me is being a lawyer, it is part of my Kiwi identity, it is part of who I am.  I had the privilege of attending a lesson in Te Reo Māori at the Māori Land Court which included His Honour Justice Stone leading the attendees in a waiata (song), and accompanying us on his guitar.  What a wonderful country we live in, I am proud to be a Kiwi.

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Are you Eligible to buy Residential Property in NZ?  (originally published 22.10.18)

Today, on 22 October 2018, a new law came in to force which affects every person buying residential property in New Zealand.  If you are signing a Contract to buy residential property in NZ, you must read this.

Under the Overseas Investment Act 2005 every person buying a residential property must sign a Residential Land Statement stating that they are eligible to do so.

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“I’ve found the perfect place to retire,” you say as you wave the glossy brochure in the air.  You have attended a presentation, had coffee at the onsite café, checked out when the Tai Chi classes start, measured the unit for furniture, and been impressed by the new retirement village complex as a whole.  But … you only get the right to occupy! Read more