Kiwi Wills

By: Greg Dickson

Reviewed and Updated: August 25, 2023

Are you a Kiwi without a will? Don't be swayed by the daunting task at hand. Start today and arm yourself with the legal protection you need. Fulfill your final wishes with Perpetual Guardian. Do justice to your legacy and your loved ones. Every Kiwi needs a will. With half of New Zealanders not having a will, you risk leaving loved ones to fight over your worldly treasures in the event of your passing. To ensure your assets are distributed according to your plan, you need a will. Trusts are effective legal shields that can safeguard your assets from bankruptcy and family disputes, while prenuptial and contracting-out agreements protect them from the claws of relationships. In addition, enduring powers of attorney are essential for making life-defining decisions when you can't, and estate administration caters for final wishes. Perpetual Guardian is a local company founded by Andrew Barnes, and committed to protecting the legacy of Kiwi people

Preparing for death is an uncomfortable topic, but it’s a vital part of life – especially if you want to protect your family. As Kiwis, let’s break the boring money conversation and create a legacy that we can be proud of. With the help of estate administration specialists, we can ensure that our legacy will endure for generations.

Have you ever been left wondering about the fate of your worldly riches? In a society where half of New Zealanders don’t have a will, it’s essential to arm yourself with legal immunity to protect those you love. Enter wills, trusts, prenuptial agreements, and enduring power of attorneys: the five-star shield for your legacy.

When managing your final

  1. The Complicated Battle: Why Every Kiwi Needs a Will
  2. Trusts: Revealing the Legal Shield for Your Assets
  3. The Inheritance Tug-of-War: Prenups and Contracting-Out Agreements
  4. Enduring Power of Attorney: Your Lifeline When Crisis Strikes
  5. Estate Administration: Fulfilling Your Last Wishes with Precision
  6. Perpetual Guardian vs. Local Lawyers: Weighing the Pros and Cons
  7. Decrypting the Fee Conundrum: Perpetual Guardian’s Charges Uncovered
  8. New Zealand Ownership and the Andrew Barnes Connection
  9. Public Trust Alternatives: Exploring Other Players in the Market
  10. Location, Location, Location: Perpetual Guardian’s Nationwide Reach

    The Complicated Battle: Why Every Kiwi Needs a Will

    Dead men tell no tales, but they sure leave a mess behind. Half of New Zealanders don’t have a will, triggering Spaghetti Junction-style entanglements when they face the Big Sleep.

Do you really want family scrapping over your worldly treasures? The ugly truth is, without a will, your assets can be mauled by the claws of feuding family members. Spoiler alert: the process is long, expensive, and emotionally draining.

What’s Covered On This Page
  1. The Complicated Battle: Why Every Kiwi Needs a Will
  2. Trusts: Revealing the Legal Shield for Your Assets
  3. The Inheritance Tug-of-War: Prenups and Contracting-Out Agreements
  4. Enduring Power of Attorney: Your Lifeline When Crisis Strikes
  5. Estate Administration: Fulfilling Your Last Wishes with Precision
  6. Perpetual Guardian vs. Local Lawyers: Weighing the Pros and Cons
  7. Decrypting the Fee Conundrum: Perpetual Guardian's Charges Uncovered
  8. New Zealand Ownership and the Andrew Barnes Connection
  9. Public Trust Alternatives: Exploring Other Players in the Market
  10. Location, Location, Location: Perpetual Guardian's Nationwide Reach
  11. The Moment of Truth: Making Your Decision
  12. Your Next Steps: Taking Charge of Your Legacy

Prepare for the inevitable by securing your estate with a will – your family’s roadmap through your final wishes.

Trusts: Revealing the Legal Shield for Your Assets

Congratulations! You’ve accumulated assets through blood, sweat and tears. But did you know that, without a trust, it can all be snatched away at the bat of an eyelid?

Trusts are legal shields that protect what’s dear to you. They take your goodies under their wing, ensuring they’re distributed according to your plan. Trusts remain steadfast against bankruptcy, family disputes, and relationship property claims.

Remember, the KiwiSaver and holiday home won’t protect themselves. Safeguard your assets with the impenetrable force of a trust.

The Inheritance Tug-of-War: Prenups and Contracting-Out Agreements

Listen, Cupid’s fine and dandy… until that mythical honeymoon phase ends. Then, you’re nabbed in the inheritance tug-of-war.

Enter prenuptial agreements, where two lovebirds put the fate of their fortunes in writing. Contracting-out agreements function similarly, ironing out which assets belong to whom in a relationship. Don’t meet the cruel reality of the courts – make it legal and avoid the slaughter.

Enduring Power of Attorney: Your Lifeline When Crisis Strikes

One wild night out, and *bam!* you’re stuck in a hospital bed. Who’ll pay the bills? Who’ll manage the chaos?

An enduring power of attorney (EPA) is your legal lifeline. It’s your designated decision-maker when you can’t dance in the driver’s seat. Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, or coma – your superhero with an EPA swoops in when you’re down and out.

Estate Administration: Fulfilling Your Last Wishes with Precision

Your final curtain call is backstage, and now it’s crunch time. Estate administration is here to ensure your last wishes are executed with royal precision. Gravy trains and funeral arrangements – it’s all catered for.

But this isn’t just paperwork. It’s the last piece of your legacy – and trust us, you’ll want it razor-straight.

Perpetual Guardian vs. Local Lawyers: Weighing the Pros and Cons

When navigating the fragile landscape of wills, trusts, and prenups, who do you turn to: Perpetual Guardian, the specialist, or your local lawyer, the jack-of-all-trades?

Perpetual Guardian comes armed with a fleet of experts, obsessing over the tiniest details. Local lawyers, on the other hand, boast established relationships and juggle broader services.

So why leave anything to chance? Trust the legal boffins with your legacy.

Decrypting the Fee Conundrum: Perpetual Guardian’s Charges Uncovered

You’ve heard the whispers – Perpetual Guardian charges like there’s no tomorrow.

Wrong! Black-and-white pricing structures paint a vivid picture of what to expect. No hidden fees lurking in the depths, just transparent prices for your peace of mind.

So, do justice to your future plans, and let the experts pave your way.

New Zealand Ownership and the Andrew Barnes Connection

Perpetual Guardian is proof that local equals loyal. Andrew Barnes, a Kiwi with global business smarts, acquired it as part of the Complectus Group in 2013.

And the result? A business that cherishes local families, communities, and cultures. A diehard commitment to protect the legacy of the Kiwi people.

Public Trust Alternatives: Exploring Other Players in the Market

Is Perpetual Guardian the only option? Nope. The New Zealand market is blessed with estate administration competitors: the Public Trust, Trustees Executors, and local lawyers.

Don’t be duped by a monopoly – explore your options and choose the best fit for your master plan.

Location, Location, Location: Perpetual Guardian’s Nationwide Reach

Heard the word ‘ubiquity’? That’s Perpetual Guardian. They’re stationed nationwide, entrenched in the fabric of New Zealand.

You’re never too far to access their specialists, safeguarding your legacy like a national treasure. Go on – put them to the test. There’s bound to be an office near you.

The Moment of Truth: Making Your Decision

By now, you’ve had an eyeful of the legal minefield that awaits every Kiwi. Wills, trusts, prenups, enduring powers of attorney – this tangled web can be overwhelming. But fear not, for armed with the right knowledge and expertise, you can navigate your way to protecting your precious legacy.

The recipe for success is simple: Do your homework, weigh the pros and cons, explore available options, and choose the professionals best suited to execute your master plan. New Zealand has an abundance of choices: Perpetual Guardian, Public Trust, Trustees Executors, and local lawyers – none of them have a monopoly on wisdom.

Take stock of your unique situation and aspirations, then decide who to entrust with this most important of responsibilities. But don’t just leave it to chance – act now to ensure your legacy is safeguarded and your family spared the turmoil of navigating this legal labyrinth without a roadmap.

Your Next Steps: Taking Charge of Your Legacy

1. Assess your situation: Examine your assets, relationships, and potential risks. What do you need in terms of a will, trust, prenup, or other protections?

  1. Do your research: Investigate the range of service providers in the estate planning and management market – from Perpetual Guardian to Public Trust, Trustees Executors, and local lawyers.

  2. Compare and contrast: Gauge the various providers’ strengths and weaknesses, their fees and charges, as well as their experience and reputation.

  3. Make your decision: Select the provider that best suits your requirements and preferences, considering their expertise, proximity, and costs.

  4. Engage and execute: Contact

Save Money With Guides & Discounts

Join 1000's of Kiwi's Saving Money 

Join For Free
Scroll to Top