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Claims against trusts are on the increase the reasons for which are various and relate, in part to the number of trusts in existence in New Zealand and in part to a growing appreciation and awareness as to what options a disgruntled beneficiary, settlor, trustee or creditor might have. One area that has produced much … Continue reading
No man is an island. Nor is any trust. An important, and often overlooked facet of asset and estate planning is the imposition of other legislative regimes. The cases that comprise the Herbst v Herbst litigation are a good illustration of the result of failing to consider this adequately. The facts of the cases are … Continue reading
It is fundamental to the role of a trustee that the trustee must act in the best interests of all of the beneficiairies. This obligation can be sorely tested when the trustees are separated spouses or partners. Many do not pass the test. When trustees cannot work together the prudent course of action is for … Continue reading
Trusts, like relationships, are often settled when the future seems rosy and the possibilities are endless. When the relationship dream comes to an end, all too often so does the dreams the settlors had regarding the trust and the trust property. The difficulty where parties cannot make their own decisions, as painful as they may … Continue reading
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
Marriage break ups are messy. You don’t usually need to scratch much below the surface to find that out. Who said what unbelievable thing. Who did what unbelievable thing. Who slept with a party outside of the union. We’ve all seen it / read about it (maybe talked a bit more about it than we … Continue reading
It is conceded that liberties have been taken with the heading due to space limitations. The point, that cannot be emphasised too much, is that at the most basic level trusts exist to hold, manage and protect, property, for the benefit of the beneficiairies. Not the trustees. A trustee’s liability between the trustee and the … Continue reading
The default decisioin making position with a trust is that trustee decisions must be unanimous unless there is a provision in the deed of trust that specifically permits majority decisions. Where discretionary trusts permit majority decision making, trustees can find themselves liable for decisions that they were not party to. However, where unanimity is required … Continue reading
I’ve taken some liberties with the heading, the couple in question may not yet be divorced. They are separated. In a sequel to a previous blog regarding litigation to determine whether a $1.22 m loan was in fact a gift the High Court has determined that the sum in question was in fact a loan. Background … Continue reading
Deeds of trust contain the rules by which trustees are to operate. However, what are trustees to do if one or more trustees acts in defiance of these rules? While hind sight is 20/20 the starting point has to be to not actually let a trust get into a position where one trustee can call … Continue reading
Matters of Trust 