News

News

Part time secretary/legal administrator

Our national award winning law firm here in the heart of this country’s beautiful eastern coast is growing. Our clients are progressive, well resourced, smart and moving forward in life positively and consciously. Our team is a very tight knit unit with an absolutely fantastic, inclusive, family first culture. We are dynamic, well organised, collegial, … Continue reading Part time secretary/legal administrator

Back to work

As you will be aware, New Zealand shifted to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 on Wednesday 13 May 2020 at 11.59pm.  This next phase means that businesses are now able to open for both staff and clients, provided that they have appropriate safety measures in place.  From Monday 18 May 2020, we will be returning to … Continue reading Back to work

Making a will in alert levels 3 & 4

In recognition of restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19, the government has made a temporary law change that allows for Wills to be witnessed remotely.  In order to be valid, all Wills must generally be signed by the will-maker in the presence of at least two independent witnesses; until now, that witnessing had … Continue reading Making a will in alert levels 3 & 4

Level 3 – what it means for clients and the firm

Now that the COVID-19 Alert Level has been reduced to 3, we are today able to return to the office in accordance with government restrictions.  For us, this means that all staff are working from the office on either a morning or afternoon shift from Tuesday 28 April onwards (and continuing to work from home).  … Continue reading Level 3 – what it means for clients and the firm

Dean & Associates response to COVID-19

We wanted to take a moment to reassure you that, as always, the care and safety of our clients and community is at the heart of what we do.  That’s why we have put measures in place to ensure we are doing everything we can to take reasonable precautions in these uncertain times. For now, … Continue reading Dean & Associates response to COVID-19

Dirty laundry

We want to advise you of law changes that will apply to lawyers and their clients from 1 July 2018.  These laws already apply to banks and financial service providers; and are known as AML (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, to be precise). AML has been in place in New Zealand … Continue reading Dirty laundry

To trust or not to trust, that is the question

To Trust or not to Trust? Advantages and Disadvantages of creating a Family Trust Trusts are a popular way of protecting and managing assets.  This article relates to family trusts and outlines some advantages and disadvantages to consider. A trust is created when a person or people (the ‘settlor(s)’) place assets on trust for the … Continue reading To trust or not to trust, that is the question

Buying a lemonade stand? Make sure it’s not a lemon

Being your own boss seems like an attractive option however if you are looking at purchasing a business which has already been established there are some key matters which you should turn your attention to before deciding to take such a big step. First of all, you need to know exactly what it is you … Continue reading Buying a lemonade stand? Make sure it’s not a lemon

In the neighbourhood

Nothing is worse than coming home to find that the neighbour’s pipes have burst and the contents are gleefully flowing onto your property; or you are being kept up at night and being driven insane through lack of sleep because all you can hear is the constant grinding of machinery; or that awful, pungent smell … Continue reading In the neighbourhood

Don’t get caught out like Bob & Mary

If you are reading this then you’re not dead.  That’s a good thing!  Bear with me for a few moments and let me tell you a short story. Bob and Mary Jones were a nice couple, starting to think about retirement although it was still some years away.  Their three kids had grown up and … Continue reading Don’t get caught out like Bob & Mary

It’s mine, no it’s mine: joint tenancy v tenants in common

The differences between owning property as joint tenants or tenants in common When purchasing property it is important to understand the legal implications of ownership structure and how it may affect you in the future. There are two core forms of ownership which are joint tenancy and tenants in common. A joint tenancy occurs when … Continue reading It’s mine, no it’s mine: joint tenancy v tenants in common

Don’t come a cropper with health and safety

The responsibility for health and safety on the farm is not only confined to the farmer it includes sharemilkers, contractors, visitors on the farm, and, of course, employees.In April 2016, The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 came into effect.  The purpose of the Act is to clarify responsibilities within the workplace.  Managing risk … Continue reading Don’t come a cropper with health and safety