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Articles & Guidance
Insights and guidance from our legal team on topics that matter to you.
Trusts, Wills & Estates
Estate Planning for Blended Families
Blended families face unique estate planning challenges. Learn how to provide for your spouse while protecting your children's inheritance.
Farm Succession Planning in New Zealand
Passing on the family farm requires careful planning. Learn how to balance fairness between farming and non-farming children while protecting your retirement.
How Marriage and Divorce Affect Your Will
Marriage automatically revokes your will. Divorce doesn't. Understanding these rules is essential for protecting your estate plan.
The Rest Home Subsidy Myth: What You Really Need to Know
The belief that gifting assets protects them from rest home costs is one of the most expensive myths in New Zealand. Here's what the law actually says.
Understanding Family Protection Act Claims
Family members who feel inadequately provided for in a will may have grounds to challenge it. Understanding this area of law helps both potential claimants and executors.
Should I Agree to Be a Trustee?
Being asked to be a trustee is an honour, but it comes with real responsibilities. Here's what to understand before you accept.
Including Your Pets in Your Will: A New Zealand Guide
Your pets depend on you completely. Here's how New Zealand law lets you plan for their care after you are gone.
Testamentary Trusts: Protecting Your Children's Inheritance
A testamentary trust protects your children's inheritance until they're ready. Learn how they work and when they make sense.
Life Interest Wills: Protecting Your Spouse and Children
How life interest provisions can protect your spouse while ensuring assets ultimately pass to your children. Essential reading for blended families and second marriages.
Choosing Your Attorneys: A Guide for New Zealanders
The most important EPA decision is who you appoint. Here's how to think through your options for both property and personal care attorneys.
What Executors Need to Know in 2026
Being named executor brings responsibility and questions. Here's what you need to know about administering an estate, including the new probate threshold.
Understanding your trustee duties under the Trusts Act 2019
The Trusts Act 2019 imposes clear duties on all trustees. Understanding these obligations helps you fulfil your role and avoid personal liability.
5 life events that should trigger a will review
Certain life changes should prompt you to review your will. Marriage revokes your will automatically. Other events may mean your existing will no longer reflects your wishes.
What comprehensive estate planning includes
Estate planning is more than making a will. Comprehensive planning brings together wills, trusts, and EPAs into a coordinated plan that protects you and your family.
When a Family Member Loses Capacity: Your Legal Options
If someone you love has lost capacity without an EPA, you need court authority to help them. Here's what's involved and how we can help.
Do I still need a trust in 2026?
Trusts have changed. Tax rates increased. Asset protection is harder. Here's how to evaluate whether a trust still makes sense.
What happens if someone dies without a will in New Zealand
When someone dies without a will, a fixed legal formula determines who inherits. This may not match what they wanted.
Enduring Powers of Attorney explained: Property vs Welfare
New Zealand has two types of EPA covering different aspects of your life. Understanding the difference helps you plan properly.
What happens if you lose capacity without an EPA
Without an EPA, your family must apply to court for authority to manage your affairs. This is expensive, slow, and intrusive.