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Residential Care Subsidies and Trusts

Residential care subsidies and trusts are a topical issue that explores social tolerances and personal expectations.  As the numbers of trusts increase, perhaps not surprisingly the policy that govern residential care subsidies is becoming more robust. Vicki Ammundsen is presenting a comprehensive webinar on 21 May 2014 at 10.30am. Topics covered will include: Numbers of applicants, … Continue reading

Scanned wills – OK or not?

The electronic age is upon us.  My own office is looking at a paperless environment.  Anyone who has actually seen my office will realise this is a pipe dream.  The practical reality is that the times they are a changing and scanned documents stored in the cloud is where it is largely at.  Wherever in … Continue reading

Round 5 to the trustees

The matter of Stokes v Insight Legal has resulted in one Court of Appeal and four High Court and  judgments. The facts can be boiled down to: Mrs Colebrook (since remarried, although in the court decisions she is referred to by her former married name) defaults on the purchase of a property the Vendors fail in their attempt … Continue reading

Government supports proposed new Trusts Act

The Government had confirmed its support for a new Trusts Act to replace the current Trustee Act 1956. However, don’t expect anything to happen fast. The Law Commission has made 51 recommendations and so far the Government has only endorsed one, which is the recommendation for a new Trusts Act. The remaining 50 are still … Continue reading

Trust Fundamentals Webinar

Trusts are the best long-term intergenerational form of asset protection.  However, as litigation involving trusts increases, questions are reasonably asked regarding the “safety” of trusts.  If you are looing for answers or guidance Vicki Ammundsen is presenting a webinar on February 19th discussing the fundamentals of trusts.  Topics covered by the webinar include: Requirements of a valid trust Differentiation between … Continue reading

Not a good time

All good things must come to an end.  This is certainly true of trusts, whether good or not.  However, sometimes it just isn’t a good time for a trust’s assets to vest.  The reason for this are many and varied.  Often they involve tax.  For example if the trust’s assets comprise an immature forest and the trust … Continue reading

Court powers webinar

Vicki Ammundsen is presenting a webinar on powers of the court on Wednesday 4th December at 10.30. The subject, which may seem horridly dry, is far more interesting and far more practical than might be thought. As more and more trustees find themselves deadlocked or otherwise unable to act, and as increasing numbers of beneficiaries … Continue reading

Appointor update

Rules called the associated person rules apply to tax certain capital gains derived from land due to associations between builders, property developers and dealers.  These rules were strengthened with general effect from the start of the 2010/11 income year. An unintended consequence of the amendments to the associated person rules was that the rules could also apply to … Continue reading

Residential Care Subsidy Appeal lost

Commentators and advisers have been divided regarding whether or not gifts made by couples are aggregated for residential care subsidy purposes.  A decision by the High Court that gifts are aggregated, has now been up-held by the Court of Appeal.  So what does this mean?  Simply, for a person with a spouse or partner, gifts … Continue reading

Beneficiary Rights Webinar

Beneficiary Rights – Wednesday 10th July Presented by Vicki Ammundsen  Beneficiaries are fundamental to a valid trust. Although it is common for the terms of a deed of trust to allow trustees to favour some beneficiaries over others, it is important for lawyers and accountants who advise trustees and beneficiaries to have a good understanding … Continue reading

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