The media has recently commented on a case where a Judge ordered that each party take an interim distribution of AUD 1 million. This was to cover their ongoing living costs while the relationship...Read More
The Court of Appeal was recently asked to consider whether a multi-million dollar family home in Remuera should be sold. The High Court had ordered a sale, and provided that the proceeds should be...Read More
A recent case gives us an interesting look at de facto relationships and what can happen when people die without a will. The case involved a woman who passed away in 2012, her surviving partner...Read More
The idea of the home for life initiative is to transition children from the care of The Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki (‘the Ministry’) to a permanent home. When a...Read More
If a marriage, civil union or de facto relationship ends upon death **, the surviving spouse or partner can choose either: To take what they receive under the deceased's Will; or To make...Read More
Where a child lives, and any changes to this, are guardianship issues. The law provides that guardians (usually this is the parents) should consult with each other and reach an agreement on...Read More
A recent Family Court case highlights the need for Contracting Out Agreements to be reviewed from time to time (also known as “pre-nuptial agreements” or “pre-nups”). A Contracting Out...Read More
A recent High Court case considered the financial statements of a farming partnership established by a couple during their 20 year de facto relationship. At issue was whether the parties were...Read More