News and views

It’s been around eight years in the making – and, after an in-depth review by some of the country’s leading legal luminaries, 2017 looks to be the year the much-anticipated overhaul of trust law will finally make it to Parliament in Bill form.

When it comes to “signing your life away”, there are few more literal examples than granting a power of attorney.

I think it’s early enough that “resolution” has yet to become a dirty word … so if I could choose for every single adult one vow for the coming year, very high on my list would be getting your affairs in order.

As we begin to look at 2016, the year that was, Clayton v Clayton will go down in the history books as one of the most significant legal happenings of the year - and one of the most defining cases in New Zealand relationship property and trust law history.

As they say, prevention tends to be better than the cure, so let’s take a look at one of the most pragmatic preventative legal measures you can take to safeguard your future – robust asset protection.

We’ve been bringing you a fair bit of info lately on Wills, and how this seemingly simplest of documents can end up bursting open the proverbial can of worms – especially if it’s poorly drafted and the person leaving the will doesn’t understand they have often onerous obligations, even in death.

The feedback’s continuing to roll in around our family law specialist, Gillian Stuart, and her series of interesting legal facts that’s been running in The Messenger. Earlier in the year, Off the Record ran Gillian’s first 10 facts. And now, by popular demand, we’re delighted to bring you Numbers 11 to 15.

All legal eyes are glued to a landmark case that’s set down to be heard in the Supreme Court early next month – and its significance is such that anyone with a trust would do well to take a keen interest in, too.