The recent collapses of construction companies have taken many in the industry by surprise, particularly subcontractors who were owed retention moneys.
Most people are now aware of the importance of having an enduring power of attorney (EPA). If you are unable to make decisions for yourself at any stage (either temporarily or longer term) it is important there is someone in place to act on your behalf. What happens to you, and your family situation, if you have no EPA?
In the last edition of Off the Record, we began exploring what can be a highly contentious issue: challenging a Will. As I outlined in Challenging a Will: Part 1, there are two main legal grounds on which someone can question a Will. The first, which we explored in Part 1, is that the Will’s legal validity is disputed.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s much-anticipated District Plan changes to short-term visitor accommodation – including the likes of Airbnb and Bookabach – have been confirmed, with the new rules already in effect.
Our new Practice Manager, legal project management specialist Cindy Laberge, was pretty much sold on joining Aspiring Law – before she’d as much as spoken to anyone in our team.
Death can bring more than mourning for those left behind. Too often it leads to animosity and arguing around the departed loved one’s Will – especially when its provisions come as a surprise.
New Zealand’s ageing population has created a boom for retirement villages, with record numbers being developed. For many looking to retire or slow down, retirement village living is attractive – and it’s not hard to see why. A new apartment or cottage in a secure, well-maintained environment, offering a lock-up-and-leave lifestyle, and providing resort-like facilities such as cafes, gyms, pools, bowling greens, libraries and men’s sheds can be very appealing.
