Trusts & Succession planning

Trust and succession law in New Zealand is constantly evolving. Settlors, executors and trustees need specialist advisors who understand the impact of legislative changes and provide robust advice on trust structures and administration. 

We are experienced trust lawyers and advise on all aspects of creating, using and varying trusts. We act for settlors, trustees, protectors, beneficiaries, trust professionals and charities. 

We provide holistic advice on succession planning and whether a trust is the most effective solution for what our clients are trying to achieve. Where a trust is appropriate for our clients’ strategic goals, we assist settlors to establish discretionary family trusts, fixed interest trusts and will trusts. 

Once a trust has been settled, we advise trustees on their duties and help them add and remove beneficiaries, retire, appoint new trustees, resettle trust assets and make loans or distributions. 

We are frequently engaged to review trusts and advise whether they are still fit for purpose. We assist with varying trust deeds or terminating trusts that are no longer required. If trust documents are ineffective due to drafting or procedural errors, we work with trustees to rectify the position and give effect to the trustees’ decisions.

We also prepare wills for clients. We understand how wills can go wrong, which enables us to pre-empt claims and ensure our clients’ wishes can be effectively carried out. We know the right questions to ask and work closely with our clients to understand their family dynamics and what they are trying to achieve.