Donating organs: Who decides Overview You can choose to record whether or not you would like your organs to be donated (if possible). The Human Tissue Act 2008 sets up a decision-making framework for organ donation. The starting point is to check…

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26 July 2021 |

Donating organs: Who decides Consent to organ donation: The decision-making hierarchy First level: A decision by the deceased Human Tissue Act 2008, ss 14, 16–18, 31(2)(a) Whether or not you want your organs to be donated, you should record this decision by…

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26 July 2021 |

Donating organs: Who decides When consent to organ donation is valid Consent or objection must be free, informed and specific Human Tissue Act 2008, ss 9, 27 Your decision must have been given freely, and it must also be an “informed” decision.…

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26 July 2021 |

Wills Deciding what happens to your property after you die What this chapter covers Introduction What a will is, whether you have to make one, some key legal words (like “probate” and “intestate”) and what they mean Making a will How to…

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30 July 2021 |

Wills Introduction What exactly is a will? A will is a document that says what you want to happen to your property (known as your “estate”) after you die. It doesn’t have legal effect until you die. A will is different to…

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26 July 2021 |

Wills Key terms Administrator – Someone who is appointed to manage the deceased’s estate, if the deceased did not have a will (see: “Administrators are appointed by the court”). Assets – The property (including money, land, houses and chattels) that someone owns.…

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26 July 2021 |

Euthanasia and assisted dying Overview What is assisted dying? End of Life Choice Act 2019, s 4 Assisted dying is when a person with a terminal illness (and who meets the eligibility criteria below) requests medication to relieve their suffering and end their…

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26 November 2021 |

Where to go for more support Community Law Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice. Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice has information about the Protection of…

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26 July 2021 |

Wills Making a will Note: The law dealing with making a will is mainly governed by the Wills Act 2007. However, if you made your will before 1 November 2007, some of the earlier law contained in the old Wills Act 1837…

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26 July 2021 |

Wills Making a Will Beneficiaries of your will Who is a beneficiary? Wills Act 2007, s 13  A beneficiary is any person or organisation who is left anything under a will. Note: If a person is named as a beneficiary, they should…

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26 July 2021 |