Why now might be the perfect time to refinance your mortgage
Refinancing your mortgage is a decision that should be made carefully, considering both the current economic environment and your personal financial situation. With the recent decrease in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 5.5% to 5.25%, many homeowners are asking if now is the right time to refinance. There are signs that inflation is getting […]
Parenting Through Stormy Waters
As parents, children tend to become the centre of our universe. They are all consuming from day one. They take our time, our energy, and they bring out every emotion we can experience. We love them in a way we could never have understood you could love someone BC (before children). But when couples separate […]
Do Family Trusts still have a purpose?
With the wave of changes implemented by Governments over the last few years and legal cases where former partners have successfully attacked an ex-partner’s Trust, it may have crossed your mind whether Trusts still have a purpose and if so, are they worthwhile. There has also been a noticeable increase in the cost of Trust […]
Embracing Electronic Contracts: Why They Matter and How to Navigate Them
Gone are the days of handshake deals and simple paper agreements. In today’s digital era, contracts have moved online, making it more crucial than ever to understand the fine print—the terms and conditions often glossed over in the rush to click “agree.” This shift to electronic contracts offers numerous benefits but also requires a careful approach to […]
What to consider before hosting on Airbnb for individuals and trustees
Airbnb and other similar peer-to peer accommodation platforms are a great way to earn income by renting out your whole property or an unoccupied space in your home. However, listing a property comes with several responsibilities which the owners, being individuals or trustees, must watch out for. Income Tax Airbnb rental income is taxable income. […]
Parenting Through Stormy Waters
As parents, children tend to become the centre of our universe. They are all consuming from day one. They take our time, our energy, and they bring out every emotion we can experience. We love them in a way we could never have understood you could love someone BC (before children). But when couples separate […]
Do you have a Will?
While most of us don’t think about it, we will all pass away. And most of us don’t know when. So it is important to have our affairs in order just in case the unthinkable happens. Many young people in particular will argue that they have so few assets they don’t need a Will. As […]
First Home Buyers: 7 tips to check off before you sign
The Sale and Purchase Agreement can be a daunting document for first home buyers. That is why we strongly recommend first home buyers seek independent legal advice from us before making an offer. Here, we have provided seven tips that ca n help ensure you’re sorted before signing an agreement to buy a property. 1. […]
Parents helping children into their first home
To guarantee or not to guarantee… It seems impossible for the current and upcoming generation of young adults to enter the property market with the cost of housing in today’s market and the stringent rules put in place by New Zealand’s banking institutions. The current rules surrounding deposits for any prospective buyer is that (in […]
Pro bono assistance: Julie Chapman and the Pet Refuge
Schnauer and Co has been providing pro bono assistance to Julie Chapman and the Pet Refuge to get this most worthwhile cause off the ground. You can read more about New Zealand’s first shelter for pets affected by domestic violence here.
Changes to Trust Law – the Trusts Act 2019
If you have a trust or are a trustee of a trust, you need to be aware of the changes to trust law that will be brought by the Trusts Act 2019 which will apply to new and existing trusts. The Act will come into force on 30 January 2021, replacing the Trustee Act 1956. […]
Our internal policies on AML compliance
Each year approximately $1.35 billion from the proceeds of fraud and illegal drugs is laundered through every day New Zealand businesses. For this reason and since the introduction of Anti-Money Laundering Legislation that has applied to lawyers since 1 July 2018, we have drastically expanded our efforts to better protect you, your money, and our local community. […]
What happens to your commercial lease during the COVID-19 lockdown?
Here is some practical, and legal, advice if you are a commercial landlord or tenant, and your business is affected by the Covid-19 lockdown. The first point is that landlords have a business too, that of commercial property ownership and investment. They will be equally as affected as tenants that operate businesses from landlords’ buildings […]
Trusts Act 2019 – Trustees Take Stock Now!
COVID-19 has forced us to slow down, take a breath and re-focus. For Trustees it is now a good time to take stock of the trust that is under their control, particularly with the impending implementation of the new Trusts Act 2019. When the alert levels reduce and the world starts to wind up again, […]
Shared care arrangements during lockdown
The government’s response to COVID-19 has caused some concern for those who have shared care or contact arrangements for their children. We are mindful that there will be some confusion or questions regarding what parents can and can’t do during the different Alert Levels. Principal Family Court Judge Moran has offered some guidance on what […]
Working through COVID-19? What you need to know
As indicated by the countless and inescapable articles and news stories, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us all into an unprecedented time which has not only put our health at risk but that also poses a risk for New Zealanders’ employment. As of 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March 2020, New Zealand was raised to Alert […]