Trustees are bound to act honestly, loyally, reasonably, responsibly, diligently, prudently and in good faith. Read more »

There are a number of core requirements with any trust that need to be considered by all trustees.  While some of these decisions may not be relevant to a particular trust at a given point in time trustees should at least record that these matters have been considered. Read more »

There is a lot of talk these days about trust busting and sham trusts – but what exactly does it mean to have your trust ‘busted’. Read more »

Trusts have become very popular in New Zealand with many thousands having been established in recent years.  There is good reason for their popularity, as they are one of the best ways to provide protection to yourself and your loved ones from future adverse events impacting on your hard earned wealth. Read more »

Having made the decision to establish a trust, choosing your trustees is one of the most important decisions you will make. The selection of a trustee is not a decision to be made lightly as it will play a large part in determining how well protected your trust remains in the future.  Trustees who do not perform their role fully can place a trust at risk of being challenged, frequently at the very time the protection is most required.   Read more »

A large number of trusts established in recent times have been for ownership of property, whether the family home or investment property.  In most cases these properties have loans secured by a mortgage.   Read more »

Today most experts agree that at least 75% of trusts could be challenged.  A successful challenge will often mean the trust is not worth the paper it is written on, or worse, may even create a financial liability for the Trustees. Read more »

We all know that having a plan to achieve a goal gives us a much greater chance of success. Whether you’re building a house, starting a business or saving for retirement, having a plan makes sense. The same is true for protecting the wealth you accumulate during your life. Read more »

My husband is pushing me to make a will. Is it really necessary? Read more »

Most people are unaware that being married, in a relationship, or a family member does not give you the legal right to make decisions for your spouse, partner, parent etc.  Read more »