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            <p class="story-quote"><span>"Seems to me the laws around trusts are not right. My story is bad enough, but I know other mothers who have been left renting and on benefits, basically living in poverty, while the ex-partners live in the family home on high incomes. Because of Trusts. It’s legal but it’s just wrong."</span></p>
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            <h2>About the Trust Project</h2>
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            <h3>Current NZ law around Trusts disadvantage women and children.</h3>
            <h3>We suspect NZ taxpayers are paying millions of dollars annually to support families when one partner absconds financial responsibility through the use of trusts.</h3>
            <h3>There are 300,000 - 500,000 established trusts in NZ and NO research on their impact.</h3>
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          <p>The Trust Project is collecting stories to lobby for change. If you have been negatively affected by a trust in relationship property division we want to hear from you. What's your story? </p>
          <div class="btn btn-primary"><a href="#story">Share your story</a></div>
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          <p>The Trusts Bill has had it’s <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=197424" target="_blank">first reading in Parliament</a> and <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCJU_SCF_BILL_74746/trusts-bill" target="_blank">submissions</a> are open until 5 March 2018. The Law Commission has also announced they recommend a reform of the law around property division including trusts. It’s about time...current Trust law has been in place for about 60 years, the Property (Relationships) Act for more than 40 years. Tell your story and help us by putting the call out for others to share their stories.</p>
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            <h2>Current state of Trust Law in NZ</h2>
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          <p>NZ law allows property in a trust to be exempt from relationship property settlements. This means if you are not a co-trustee on the trust with relationship property, the contents of the trust won’t be considered in the settlement of relationship property after separation or divorce. Being a ‘discretionary trustee’ does not count.</p>
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          <p>Used wisely trusts can be a useful tool. The problem is how they are being mis-used and we think the law needs to be changed to protect those that need it most.</p>
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            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1s"> “I was shocked to find out I was not a co-trustee but a ‘discretionary beneficiary’, which didn’t give me any rights and that through the Trust, my ex had reneged on our agreed 50/50 split on the house equity. I am left renting in an unstable market while my ex is in the family home.” </p>
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            <h2>What can you do?</h2>
            <h3>Three simple things will contribute to positive change:</h3>
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          <p>1. Send us your story about being negatively impacted by current Trust law after a relationship break up. We will use it to lobby for change and make sure your voice is heard.</p>
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          <p>2. Make a submission to the Law Commission's enquiry into relationship property division law, including Trusts.</p>
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          <p>3. Like our page on Facebook so you can have updates about the submission process and join our community of people who are standing up for a more fair and just Aotearoa.</p>
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          <div class="btn btn-primary"><a href="#story">Share your story</a></div>
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          <div class="btn btn-primary"><a href="http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/submission/dividing-relationship-property-%E2%80%93-time-change-te-m%C4%81tatoha-rawa-tokorau-%E2%80%93-kua-eke-te-w%C4%81" target="_blank">Visit Law Commission website</a></div>
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            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1.5s">"New Zealand’s relationship between trusts and relationship property is possibly more dysfunctional than a bad marriage. Whether intentionally or not, trusts can avoid claims even to property which would otherwise be shared, most often the family home.</p>
            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1.5s">That avenue of property protection can effectively subvert our 'opt-out' regime, which intends for equal sharing to apply, unless couples have actively “contracted out” with independent legal advice for both. The principle that all eyes are wide open is subverted when one party has quietly opted out by utilising a trust.</p>
            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1.5s"> The legislation also fails to include adequate remedies for those who have been unfairly cut out. There are still claims made to such trust property but they are expensive, inconsistent in outcome and dependent on a lottery of circumstances rather than clear principles of fairness.</p>
            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1.5s">Courts and lawyers have naturally utilised all tools available to help out. But the risk of that approach is that equity (an important tool of justice) is stretched to a point where some argue principle is lost.</p>
            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1.5s"> The reform of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 to properly address trust property is long overdue, and will hopefully save both the integrity of our contracting out system, trust law itself and maybe even some of the relationships involved."</p>
            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1.5s"><i>Ruth Gregory, Barrister</i></p>
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            <h2>What is your story?</h2>
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            <h3>Do you think the division of assets after your break up was unfair?</h3>
            <p>It could be that your combined family assets were wrapped in your ex-partner’s parents trust.</p>
            <p>You might have thought you were a co-trustee with your partner, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.</p>
            <p>The Trust might have been set up before your relationship began and so assets you thought were shared were exempt from the financial settlement.</p>
            <h3>Whatever your story, we want to hear it.</h3>
            <h3>All stories are anonymous.</h3>
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              <p><small>Outline the facts and be sure to say what impact the Trust has had on you/your child/ren.</small></p>
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            <p>A copy of this submission will be sent to the Trust Project and someperson@someemail.com </p>
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            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1s">"The impact for my children is that there are times where their lunch boxes are often lacking in food to fill them up, let alone nourish them. Sometimes having enough food to last the week seems impossible. Somehow we get though… often with the help and support of generous friends and a kind community."</p>
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            <h2>Legal</h2>
            <h3>Citizens Advice Bureau</h3>
            <h4>Some CABs offer free half hour sessions with a lawyer.</h4>
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            <h3>Legal Aid</h3>
            <h4>Visit the Department of Justice website for information on your eligibility for legal aid support.</h4>
            <div class="btn btn-primary"> <a href="https://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/going-to-court/legal-aid" target="_blank">Visit website</a></div>
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            <h4>Free legal help throughout NZ.</h4>
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            <h4>Being a solo parent can be challenging. Emotionally and financially. Make sure you have the support you need.</h4>
            <div class="btn btn-primary"><a href=" https://www.facebook.com/groups/346753365399969/" target="_blank">Solo Mamas Aotearoa</a>
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            <div class="btn btn-primary"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/feministmothersaotearoa/" target="_blank">Feminist Mothers Aotearoa</a>
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            <h2>Support & Advice</h2>
            <h3>Women’s Centres NZ</h3>
            <h4>Contact your nearest women's centre to see what classes, groups and advice they can offer. They may be able to recommend a good lawyer in your area too.</h4>
            <div class="btn btn-primary"><a href="http://www.womenscentrerodney.org.nz/links.aspx" target="_blank">View list</a>
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            <h3>Family Services Directory</h3>
            <h4>This government website lists information about family support organisations and the services/programmes they offer to support New Zealand families.</h4>
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            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1s">“We don't have holidays and there are times were having enough food for lunch boxes/meals is a real struggle. I have a 10 year old and a 7 year old. Neither can swim or ride a bike... these are not things that we can afford (lessons or bikes). This is all because of our house being in a trust that I was not co-trustee on.” </p>
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            <h3>The Property (Relationship) Act and The Trust Bill</h3>
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            <p class="news-source">NZ Herald</p>
            <p class="news-article"><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10870095">Diana Clement: Splitting property not always straightforward.</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">9 March 2013</p>
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            <p class="news-article"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/88837125/Do-our-relationship-property-sharing-laws-need-a-radical-shake-up">Do our relationship property sharing laws need a radical shake-up?</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">11 February 2017</p>
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            <p class="news-source">Scoop</p>
            <p class="news-article"><a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1708/S00016/bill-to-update-new-zealand-trust-law-introduced.htm">Bill to update New Zealand trust law introduced.</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">1 August 2017</p>
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              <p class="news-source">Stuff</p>
              <p class="news-article"><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/97815441/law-commission-asks-is-law-working-for-dividing-assets">Law Commission asks: Is law working for dividing assets?</a></p>
              <p class="news-date">13 October 2017</p>
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            <p class="news-source">The Spinoff</p>
            <p class="news-article"><a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/05-12-2017/does-the-property-relationships-act-work-for-modern-families/">Does the Property (Relationships) Act work for modern families?</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">05 December 2017</p>
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            <p class="news-source">Otago Daily Times</p>
            <p class="news-article"><a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/business/case-shows-trusts-not-always-sacrosanct">Case shows trusts not always sacrosanct.</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">23 October 2017</p>
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            <h3>NZ Herald Trust Law Reform three part series:</h3>
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            <p class="news-article"><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503458&objectid=11934832">Trust law reform - benefits versus costs, responsibilities</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">22 October 2017</p>
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            <p class="news-article"><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503458&objectid=11937499">You'd best be prepared if trusts bill becomes law.</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">28 October 2017</p>
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            <p class="news-article"><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503458&objectid=11940297">A Canny View: Trust Law reform, Part III.</a></p>
            <p class="news-date">4 November 2017</p>
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            <p class="lead wow fadeIn" data-wow-delay="1s">"My advice for those in the early stages of a relationship or marriage is seek legal advice. Just because you love someone in this moment, doesn’t mean you should trust him or her in the next. When relationships break down, people change. Seeking legal advice, either as a couple or separately, at least gives you a clear understanding of what you are walking into and what you will walk out with (if anything)."</p>
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            <h2>Support Us</h2>
            <p>The Trust Project is run late at night and between work and family commitments because we are passionate about a just and fair NZ. We'd love help with funding for the website and lobbying. If you can make a donation, can support The Trust Project in other ways, or want to share your story, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you: <a href="mailto:info@thetrustproject.nz">info@thetrustproject.nz</a></p>
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          <p>The Trust Project would like to thank the following:</br>
            The team at Manu for the website creation.<br />
            Special thanks to Ruth Gregory – Barrister and Mediator specialising in Family Law. <a href="http://www.ruthcgregory.com"> www.ruthcgregory.com </a></p>
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