Transferring assets that might otherwise comprise relationship property to a trust, might appear an attractive alternative to “I love you” but not enough to share my stuff with you. However, even if the relationship is not yet a qualifying relationship for the purposes of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the Act); dispositions to trust can … Continue reading
Legler v Formannoij relates to a spirited challenge to the appointment of a corporate trustee to act as the sole trustee of a trust. The arguments put to the court included the contention that this was a fraud on a power as the director and one of the two shareholders was formerly a trustee and … Continue reading
The background to the appeal in Lambie v Addleman is encapsulated in [8] and [9] of the decision where the Supreme Court states as follows: The factual background is set out in Whose advice is it?; Rights to information prevail; and Disclosure request declined – 24 years a leap too far for a beneficiary who … Continue reading
It is not uncommon for trustees to seek a release from beneficiaries prior to the final distribution of trust assets. However, where beneficiaries are reluctant or unwilling a trustee may quite properly be concerned to protect the trustee’s position in the event of a subsequent claim. The avenues to address such a consideration were canvased … Continue reading
Trustees looking for certainty regarding costs will commonly turn their minds to a Beddoe application. However, where costs are a live issue and the grounds for a Beddoe order may not be made out, an alternative course of action is to seek a prospective costs order. While this may appear largely the sole dominion of … Continue reading
The purpose of a Beddoe application as set noted in Representation of X Trustees re D and E Trusts is to “.. provide certainty and protection to a trustee by predetermining the question of whether costs incurred in third party litigation were reasonable and should be borne out of the trust fund.” In considering whether … Continue reading
McGuire v Earl is a successful application for the following trust information: statements of accounts copies of all Minutes and Resolutions any documents pertaining to any distributions all documents pertaining to any gifting or debt incurred, and bank statements for all bank accounts. The trust in question was settled by Mr McGuire’s father and Mr … Continue reading
Law v Law relates to an application by trustees for directions under s 66 of the Trustee Act regarding the proposed distribution of trust assets. The background of the case is essentially set out at [24] as follows: “Again, the Trustees appear to have approached the question of the payments to Elena with a primary … Continue reading
Webb v Webb relates to whether a tax debt owed by the former husband in New Zealand is enforceable in the Cook Islands, and what that means in the context of the division of matrimonial property in the Cook Islands; the validity of two trusts settled on somewhat unusual terms; and valuation considerations when a … Continue reading
The facts of McAtamney v McAtamney are simple.Frank McAtamney was settlor and appointor of the Waimarie Second Family Trust. Notwithstanding that Frank’s late wife had no power of appointment, Frank and his wife twice purported to appoint new trustees.As set out at [11] and [12]:[11] Frank has now received legal advice that those deeds of … Continue reading
