Trusts
Trustee's Checklist
The duties every trustee must meet under the Trusts Act 2019 — annual meetings, records to keep, beneficiaries to inform, and the decisions you should never make alone.
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— Resources
Plain-language guides & transparent costs.
The standing reference material we share with clients — articles, fee schedules, and the disbursements we pay on your behalf. No surprises at invoice time.
— Downloadable guides
Checklists & reference sheets.
The same checklists we walk our clients through — buying, building, settling an estate, or untangling conveyancing jargon. Download, print, bring questions. All PDFs, all free.
Property
Building & Renovation Contract Review
Before you sign with a builder — the clauses that matter most, retention amounts, dispute resolution, and the legislative protections you can't contract out of.
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Reference
Conveyancing Terminology Sheet
A plain-English glossary of every term you'll meet during a property settlement — encumbrances, easements, caveats, LIMs and the difference between freehold and leasehold.
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Property
Off the Plans Checklist
Buying a property before it's built — sunset clauses, vendor disclosure, deposit protection, and the specification changes you can (and can't) push back on.
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Settlement
Moving Checklist
The full pre-move to post-move admin: address changes, utility transfers, insurance, council, what to leave for the next owner, and the day-of-settlement essentials.
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First home
Countdown for Home Buying
A week-by-week sequence from pre-approval through to settlement — what to ask your lender, when to engage a lawyer, the building reports and the LIM, and when to make the offer.
Download PDF— Articles & references
Guide · 2021
Understanding the Trust Act 2019
What the changes mean for existing trustees, beneficiaries, and the duties you must now meet. A plain-English walkthrough.
Read articleReference · Costs
Our standard disbursements & fees
LINZ registration, Companies Office, AML/CDD and office charges — exactly what we pay on your behalf and what we pass through.
View scheduleReference · Engagement
Contract of Services
Our standing engagement terms — regulated by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act, AML/CFT framework, and TICC identity verification.
Read terms— Costs list
Disbursements & statutory fees.
These are the third-party charges we pay on your behalf during a matter — LINZ, the Companies Office, AML/CDD verification through TICC, and our standard office charge. All include GST.
Our professional fees (the work we do) are charged on a time or fixed-quote basis and quoted separately at the start of a matter. Last updated for the 2025/26 financial year.
Disbursements & statutory fees (incl. GST)
Title or instrument search (LINZ)
$8.00
Registration of instrument (LINZ)
$122.00
Issue of new title (LINZ)
$145.00
Registration of caveat (LINZ)
$130.00
Agreement for sale and purchase of land (ADLS)
$74.75
Incorporating a new company (Companies Office)
$136.55
Filing an annual return (Companies Office)
$57.55
AML/CDD — NZ natural person
$17.25
AML/CDD — NZ company
$34.50
AML/CDD — NZ trust
$51.75
Office charge
$85.00
Professional fees
Fees charged on time or fixed-quote basis
On application
Payable within 7 days of invoice. 2% monthly penalty interest may apply for late payment.
International payment fee
$34.00
$9 bank fee + $25 transaction fee — recovered as a single line on your invoice.
We always quote fees in advance for fixed-scope work, and provide regular updates against your budget on time-based matters. Talk to us about your matter and we'll give you a clear estimate.
— Contract of services
Our standing engagement terms.
When you engage DK Law, your matter is governed by our standard contract of services. Below is a summary of the most important provisions — the full document is provided in your engagement letter and signed before work begins.
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/01
Regulated practice
DK Law is regulated under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 — the cornerstone of how every NZ-practising lawyer must act.
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/02
AML/CFT compliance
We complete Anti-Money Laundering / Countering Financing of Terrorism identity verification on every client through TICC. This is a legal requirement for all NZ law firms.
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Fees and invoicing
Fees are quoted up front where scope allows. Invoices are payable within 7 days. A 2% monthly penalty interest charge may apply to late payments.
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/04
Trust account
Client funds are held in DK Law's regulated trust account and reconciled regularly. Settlement payments and disbursements are processed from this account.
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Confidentiality and complaints
All matters are held in strict confidence. Complaints are handled internally first; the Lawyers Complaints Service is available as an independent escalation.
— Questions about a matter?
Ask us for an indicative quote, in writing.
We'll review your situation, give you a scoped estimate, and walk you through the engagement terms — all before any work begins.