Have you also thought about...

It’s great that you're looking to get your Will sorted. Having an Will lays the foundation for a strong estate plan. Knowing you've taken the right steps to ensure your loved ones are cared for after you're gone is what estate planning is all about.  

However, it's also important to consider whether you need any other estate planning tools to protect yourself and your assets while you are still living and to ensure they pass on in the way you intend.

Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs). Appoint an attorney to act on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions.

Protecting yourself also helps protect your family. Often completed at the same time as a Will, an EPA is also an essential legal document to have in place.

What would happen if you suffered a serious accident or other illness that left you unable to do everyday things like sign documents or pay bills? Who would manage your property or investments? Who would have the responsibility of making decisions about your medical care? An EPA allows someone else to act on your behalf if you’re ever unable to through illness, age or accident.

Did you know that not even a spouse or partner can automatically act on your behalf if they are not legally appointed?

There are two types of EPA

  1. An EPA in relation to your personal care and welfare.
  2. An EPA specific to your property.

You may choose to have one or both. 

Trusts. Safeguard your assets, provide for dependants and provide long-term support to charity

Trusts are a powerful estate planning tool which may provide a greater level of protection, passing your assets on in a way that is most appropriate to your beneficiaries.

In light of the recent changes to the Trusts Act 2019 that came into force on 30 January 2021, no trust should be set up without proper advice or an assessment of the impact of the trust on your overall position.

As specialist trustees we will look at your personal circumstances, your legal obligations, any dependants, your assets and liabilities, and your future intentions with regard to your lifestyle and who may inherit your assets.

It is important that the trust is flexible, and yet has rules in place to ensure legality. A properly established trust cannot be contested in the same way as a bequest under a Will, a trust gives the settlor greater certainty that his/her wishes will be acknowledged.

We offer comprehensive advice and a number of trust structures to cater for a wide range of circumstances. Some reasons you may consider establishing a trust include:

  • Protecting assets to provide for a partner or spouse whilst preserving an inheritance for your children.
  • The managed distribution of a farm or business to the next generation.
  • Providing for vulnerable loved ones who may not be able to manage their own affairs.
  • Providing for specific purposes such as the education of your children or grandchildren.
  • Advancing charitable purposes.

Investment Advice and Portfolio Construction. Ensure your funds are working for you through the right type of investments.

Whether you're looking to achieve portfolio growth, diversification, new income opportunities or protection for your existing investments we provide expert advice tailored to meet your financial goals.

Trustees Executors' Financial Advisers work alongside an experienced in-house investment team who are there to ensure your investment strategy is flexible and implemented successfully. 

Our investment strategy is based on high-quality research, combined with disciplined decision making that’s grounded in our experience as professional investors. By choosing to invest with Trustees Executors you will have access to quality securities from New Zealand and around the world including equities, fixed interest and managed funds.

We can also help with:

  • Retirement planning
  • KiwiSaver advice
  • Risk management
  • Tax planning
  • Cash & debt management