Choosing a retirement village is an exciting step, but many people are surprised to discover there’s more to the process than simply signing an Occupation Right Agreement.
One of the most common last-minute surprises we see is being asked whether you have an up-to-date Will and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).
Many retirement villages require these documents to be in place before your move is completed, or strongly recommend that they are completed as part of the admission process.
Unfortunately, some people only discover this shortly before they’re due to move in.
Why are Wills and EPAs so important?
Moving into a retirement village is often a natural time to review your future planning.
You may have recently sold your home, your financial circumstances may have changed, or your family situation may be different from when you last updated your documents.
Having a current Will and Enduring Powers of Attorney helps ensure your wishes are clear and that someone you trust can act on your behalf if needed.
What’s the difference?
Your Will
Your Will records what you want to happen after you pass away.
It allows you to:
- decide who receives your estate
- appoint executors
- provide for family members and loved ones
- make your wishes clear.
If your Will hasn’t been reviewed for many years, moving into a retirement village is an excellent opportunity to make sure it still reflects your circumstances.
Your Enduring Powers of Attorney
Unlike a Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney operates while you’re still alive.
There are two different types:
- Property – allowing someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so.
- Personal Care and Welfare – allowing someone to make decisions about your health and personal care if you lose mental capacity.
Without these documents, your family may need to apply to the Court to obtain authority to make certain decisions on your behalf.
Can I complete my Occupation Right Agreement, Will and EPAs together?
Absolutely.
Many of our retirement village clients choose to complete all of their legal documents around the same time.
Doing so can save time, reduce stress and ensure everything is organised before they move into their new home.
If you’d prefer, these appointments can also be spread over multiple days. We’re happy to work around your timeframe and what feels most comfortable for you.
Already moved into your retirement village?
Sometimes clients move into their unit before their Occupation Right Agreement has been fully completed or before their Will and Enduring Powers of Attorney have been signed.
If you’re already living in a retirement village within the Whangārei District, we’re happy to come to you for the signing appointment.
Many clients appreciate not having to organise transport or travel back into town once they’ve settled into their new home.
Fixed-fee legal services
At Regent Law, we believe it’s important to know what your legal costs will be before we begin.
We offer fixed fees for straightforward:
- Occupation Right Agreement advice
- Wills
- Enduring Powers of Attorney.
We’ll explain the process clearly, answer your questions and help you decide whether you’d like to complete everything together or over separate appointments.
Planning ahead makes moving easier
Moving into a retirement village is a major life event, but it doesn’t need to feel overwhelming.
By arranging your Occupation Right Agreement advice, Will and Enduring Powers of Attorney early, you can avoid unnecessary last-minute pressure and focus on settling into your new home.
How Regent Law can help
Regent Law regularly assists clients throughout Whangārei, Northland and across New Zealand with Occupation Right Agreements, Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Whether you’ve just chosen your retirement village or you’re already settling into your new unit, we’re here to make the legal side of the process as straightforward as possible.
If you’ve received your retirement village documents—or you’ve been told it’s time to organise your Will or EPAs—we’d be pleased to help.
Contact Regent Law to arrange your appointment and let us know what works best for you. We’ll tailor the process to fit around your move.
Related Retirement Village Services
At Regent Law, we offer fixed-fee legal services to help make your move into a retirement village as straightforward as possible. Whether you need independent legal advice on your Occupation Right Agreement, an up-to-date Will, Enduring Powers of Attorney, or all three, we’re here to help.
Learn more about each service:
- Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) Legal Advice – Find out what’s included in our fixed-fee service and book your appointment.
- Wills – Learn about our fixed-fee Will service and book an appointment.
- Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) – Find out about our Property and Personal Care & Welfare EPAs and arrange your appointment.
If you’re unsure which appointment to book, or you’d like to complete more than one service at the same time, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to discuss your circumstances and recommend the option that best suits your needs.
Leave A Comment