Family & Relationships

Not necessarily. Many people simply need advice or representation to help them reach an amicable agreement – for example, about dividing property and the care of children. If a negotiated solution isn’t possible or appropriate, our lawyers can represent you in court proceedings, including in the Family Court. Talk to our team.

You may be able to. We’ve partnered with JustFund, which offers eligible clients a flexible line of credit to cover legal fees and expenses for separation or relationship property proceedings. You don’t have to repay it until you reach a settlement. Contact us for more information.

Yes – if you haven’t reviewed it in more than five years, now is the time. As our article Death, property and prenups explains, a 2025 Court of Appeal decision held that a prenup governs what relationship property forms part of a spouse’s estate when they die, although the Supreme Court has granted leave to appeal. Marriage also automatically revokes an existing will, so make sure your prenup and your will agree.

Yes. We act both for people applying for protection orders and for people defending them. Senior Associate Maria Andrade specialises in this area, as well as relationship property and child custody matters. Talk to our team.

Yes, but only altruistic surrogacy – the surrogate can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, but not paid. As our article Surrogacy in New Zealand explains, under the current law the surrogate (and her consenting partner) are the child’s legal parents at birth, and the intended parents become the legal parents only once the Family Court makes an adoption order. Surrogacy agreements aren’t legally enforceable and law reform has been proposed, so get independent legal advice first.