Our areas of expertise include:

FAMILY PROPERTY MATTERS

Relationship Property

• Advice for "pre-nup"/contracting out agreements

• Separation agreements (Section 21A)

• Formal Court proceedings including for disclosure of assets (including where complex trust or business structures are involved)

• Kiwisaver withdrawal applications to the Family Court in order to facilitate funds for relationship property settlement

Elder care issues

• Applications for appointment as a loved one's Welfare Guardian or Property Manager

• Disputes regarding the actions of an Attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney

Estate disputes after death

PARENTING ISSUES

• Parenting Orders

• Agreements for day to day care and contact issues (formerly known as custody and access)

• Supervised contact

• Mediation/Family Dispute Resolution

• Guardianship disputes such as relocation to another city, or choice of school

• Child support appeals

ADOPTION, SURROGACY AND ECART APPLICATIONS

• Independent advice for both surrogate/partner, and intending parents during fertility processes

• Adoption advice and applications to Court

CARE AND PROTECTION

• Stepping in when a child is at risk

• 'Home for Life' applications

• Issues with Oranga Tamariki including initial intervention, Family Group Conferences and formal Court applications (such as for Custody or Support Orders)

SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

• Dissolution of marriage applications to the Family Court

• Spousal maintenance

VIOLENCE ISSUES

• Protection Orders

• Victims' Orders against Violent Offenders

• Harmful Digital Communications and Social Media Abuse

PATERNITY DISPUTES

• Advice about DNA testing and birth registration issues

MENTAL HEALTH LAW

• Representation for patients subject to Compulsory Assessment/Treatment Orders (Inpatient or Community)

• Applications to the Mental Health Review Tribunal

TRANSGENDER LAW

• Applications to change the registered sex on an Applicant's birth certificate