Are You in a De Facto Relationship?
The inclusion of de facto relationships, (which encompasses same sex relationships) within the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (“the Act”) effectively means de facto couples will receive similar treatment, concerning disputes about property, to those who are married. De facto relationships and the Act De facto relationships will ordinarily be covered by the Act only if the partners...
Contracting with Young People - The Minors Contract Act 1969
“Our aim is to have you in better financial shape after you borrow from us – not poorer”. This statement appears on the website of Wine Country Credit Union (WCCU). It was certainly relevant in the case of two young people, R and T. According to the presiding Judge, during May 2003 R saw a car he liked and he “just had to have that car.” So R and T borrowed $15,612 from WCCU, and...
Nothing Succeeds Like Succession Planning
So you are bullet proof. You are a self-made man or woman and your business is flourishing. You put in the many necessary hours to build your business and may have family involved to assist you. You have used your own skills and expertise to be a leader in your field of endeavour. You control...
Are You At Risk From House Finance Fraud?
A house finance fraud is one which involves the provision of false or misleading information to a homeowner, bank or other lending institution for financial gain. These frauds appear to be on the rise in New Zealand and they are becoming increasingly elaborate. Who Is At Risk? Those at...
Body Corporates: What Are They And How Do They Work?
Developments involving unit titles are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people elect to live in apartments or town house developments, particularly those located in inner-city areas. These developments can take the form of clusters of town houses, terraced housing or low and...
Explaining Powers Of Attorney
Any individual may give another a power of attorney to manage his or her affairs pursuant to the Personal Protection of Property Rights Act 1988 (“the Act”). The Act provides for two types of powers of attorney: 1. An Enduring Power Of Attorney As To Property This confers...