The Process

It has been estimated that there are between 300,000-500,000 trusts in this country. Trusts have been established for many different reasons, including estate planning, creditor protection, to ensure access to rest home subsidies, tax benefits or for protection from relationship property claims. Read more…

It's good practice to review its purpose

If you have a family trust set up a number of years ago, it's good practice to review it to ensure it is still 'fit for purpose'. Leading on from that is the question that is often asked of us, "Should I bring my trust to an end?" Read more…

It can be an Unpleasant Surprise

Trustees and executors are not always entitled to reimbursement for their litigation costs. Read more…

As parents age, their children often find they need to take an increasing role in looking after them. Unpalatable as it seems, it's important to think about the legal difficulties that can arise where one member of the family has assumed responsibility. Read more…

Entitlements under your spouse or partner's will

When your spouse or partner dies you will need to make a very important decision between your entitlements under their will and potential claims against their estate. We discuss the implications of that decision, some of the issues that it raises and the consequences of the choice that you make. Read more…

Know when to walk away
When Barack Obama was US president, he made an historic visit to Africa. One of the messages he repeated was that, under the US Constitution, he could only be president for eight years and this time limit is generally a good thing. Read more…