I am often asked about contracting out (“pre-nup or pre-nuptial”) agreements. “Do I need one?” is the common question. One of my new clients is concerned about protecting her family home from her partner, if their relationship turns sour. Another client, who has little property of her own, is making it quite clear to her partner that she […]
Buyer Beware – Is your new home an ex-P lab?
Recent current affairs programmes have highlighted the issues faced by some home buyers who unwittingly purchase ex-P laboratories. Most buyers are aware of the need to obtain a LIM report from Council, and a builder’s report. But, despite the risks (financially and to health), not many purchasers are getting homes tested to find out if […]
High Court Victory
As a dispute resolution lawyer it gives me a real kick when I am able to help my clients achieve a great result. I recently spent three weeks in the High Court (with Murray Branch of Harkness Henry) doing just that. At the end of the three week trial, I felt that win or lose […]
To Gift or Not to Gift?
As a lawyer specialising in trusts I am often asked by clients whether they should gift all of their debt to their Trust. Since the abolition of gift duty it is now possible for individuals to gift away all of the debt which their Trust owes to them. Previously, it was limited to $27,000.00 per […]
Personal Guarantees
You may have been asked to guarantee a friend or family member’s borrowing, or maybe you’re in business and the bank wants you to guarantee your company’s debt. Set out below are some key points that you should understand before you do so. What is a Personal Guarantee? A personal guarantee is simply an agreement […]
Trustees Beware! Major Changes Are Coming
Are you a trustee of a trust? You need to know that major law changes are coming. In 2009, Parliament asked the Law Commission to review the Trustee Act 1956, and trust law in New Zealand generally. Parliament recognised that a significant proportion of New Zealanders hold their assets within a trust and so it […]
Your farm diary can provide vital protection
Writing a blog is a little like keeping a diary – a pretty solitary pastime until your inner musings become public! For years I have kept a “farm diary’ of sorts where I have faithfully recorded stock numbers and weather events alongside details of when my daughters slept through the night (hooray!) or picked up […]
Beware of User Generated Content on Social Media
In my earlier blog “Avoid Advertising Traps – Tips For Business Advertising” I noted that the Australian Advertising Standards Board had recently made a finding which meant that user generated content on businesses Facebook pages had to comply with relevant advertising laws. I suggested that New Zealand was likely to follow in the Australian foot […]
Why Running the Economy is Like Running a Business
On Tuesday Linda and I were lucky enough to be invited to a lunch hosted by the new ANZ to hear Cameron Bagrie, ANZ’s Chief Economist speak. Now spending your lunch time listening to an economist speak may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but I can report that Cameron spoke in language […]
10 Top Debt Collection Tips
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business – a slow down in cash flow caused by clients not paying their accounts can have a serious impact on your business. Here are my top 10 debt collection tips. Terms of Trade – if you supply goods or services on credit then you need good terms of […]