Despite the mass exodus from New Zealand, there are still people
coming to New Zealand - and sometimes escaping judgments against
them. Can leaving the country leave behind your obligations?
By Kiren Narayan - 15 Jul 2022
read article 
It is common for wills to delay vesting of assets until a later
date (e.g. when children or grandchildren attain 25 years).
It is also common for couples in a second relationship to leave
each other a lifetime interest in the family home. When either of
these scenarios lasts more than two years, a testamentary trust is
created. In the majority of cases, the new financial
reporting and disclosure requirements for trusts will then
apply.
By Lee Harris - 27 Jun 2022
read article 
It is safe to assume that nowadays most of us have a "digital
life". Digital life, which inevitably one day will become a
"digital estate". Although the concept of digital assets of
sentimental value is not new, the concept of monetary valuable
digital assets is. We are now at the point where our online lives
need to be considered when declaring our wishes in wills or when
separating.
By Polina Kozlova - 15 Jun 2022
read article 
Information that must now be provided alongside annual trust tax
returns will come as an unpleasant surprise for many trustees and
beneficiaries. There is no doubt that Inland Revenue is taking a
close look at trusts to evaluate how they are being used, and to
decide whether the use should be subject to tax.
By Lee Harris - 27 May 2022
read article 
Supply issues in the construction industry at the moment are
well known. If you're in the industry and running the risk of
incurring penalties, there are things which can be done.
By Kiren Narayanan - 11 Apr 2022
read article 
The Family Law section of the New Zealand Law Society, in
conjunction with Grant Thornton, recently released the New Zealand
Relationship Property Survey of 2021.
By Tara Grant - 21 Mar 2022
read article 
The Overseas Investment Act (
OIA) modifications removed the ability for
most foreigners to own New Zealand residential land. The changes
impact any interest in residential land acquired from 22 October
2018 onwards. Although there are a few exemptions from the new
restrictions, they are limited. Several years later and
we still see misunderstanding about the OIA
restrictions.
By Lee Harris - 22 Feb 2022
read article 
Caveats are a useful tool for protecting your interest in
a property. Once you register a caveat on a property, it prevents
the property owner from selling and notifies the public that there
is another interest in the land.
By Kiren Narayan - 17 Feb 2022
read article 
Sunset clauses are conditions included in agreements to
provide purchasers, and sometimes vendors, the ability to cancel an
agreement by notice if a specific event has not occurred by a
certain date (i.e. the sunset date).
By Eesha Karamchandani and Gaanesh Seger - 10 Feb 2022
read article 
This month we welcomed Kiren Narayan back to the firm. Kiren
re-joins us as an Associate in the litigation team.
By Geoff Hardy - 26 Jan 2022
read article