Pertinent facts: On first blush Biggs v Biggs has the appearance of a David and Goliath style contest. Nation J refers at [10] to the 2300 pages of documents that have had to be considered and at [11] notes that when claims are pursued “in a particular way, there can be scant recognition of the … Continue reading
Following the Supreme Court decision in Clayton v Clayton (Claymark Trust) fresh light has been shed upon the scope of s 182 of the Family Proceedings Act 1980 in the case of Da Silva v Da Silva. By way of background s 182 gives the Court the discretion following divorce (the section does not apply to de facto relationships) … Continue reading
The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the Act) is now under review as part of a significant project that will involve consultation with the public and key stakeholders. The outcome of the review is to be reported back the Minister of Justice in November 2018. See Law Commission to review Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Not surprisingly … Continue reading
The long-awaited decision (issued in fact as two separate decisions) in Clayton v Clayton were released today (23 March 2016). The first decision relates to the Vaughan Road Property Trust (VRPT) and the second to the Claymark Trust. Background Mr and Mrs Clayton commenced a de facto relationship in 1986 and married in 1989. They … Continue reading
The long awaited Court of Appeal decision on the subject of illusory trusts should make unsettling reading for many a settlor, and perhaps their advisers too. The decision, which runs to 96 pages is substantial. The message is mixed. While the trust in question was found to be valid (illusion it turns out, is just … Continue reading
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
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
A trust can run for up to 80 years at present. While the odd relationship clocks up similar tenure, like trusts many are brought to an end sooner than death does them part. Some settlors of trusts, or their canny advisers, consider the possibility of the relationship not lasting the distance and draft the deed … Continue reading
