I take instructions in the following family law matters:

Relationship Property

• Division of relationship property under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976
• Contracting out agreements, including pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• Disputes over classification of separate versus relationship property
• Trusts and their interaction with relationship property claims
• Occupation orders and orders relating to the family home

Care of Children

• Parenting orders under the Care of Children Act 2004
• Guardianship disputes, including relocation and overseas travel issues
• Day to day care and contact arrangements
• Disputes over major decisions for children, such as education, religion, and medical treatment

Child Support

• Child support assessments and reviews through Inland Revenue
• Departure from formula assessment applications
• Enforcement of child support obligations

Domestic Violence and Protection

• Protection orders under the Family Violence Act 2018
• Police safety orders and their consequences
• Applications for and defending against protection orders
• Occupation orders and tenancy orders in the context of family violence

Separation and Divorce

• Applications for dissolution of marriage or civil union
• Separation agreements
• De facto relationship disputes, including determining relationship status

Adoption

• Domestic adoption applications
• Guardianship in the context of adoption
• Adoption Act 1955 proceedings

Care and Protection of Children

• Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children involvement and proceedings
• Care and protection applications under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
• Family Group Conferences and related legal representation

Family Court Proceedings

• Representation in Family Court hearings and mediation
• Without notice applications in urgent situations
• Appeals from Family Court decisions to the High Court
• Judicial conferences and directions hearings

Wills, Estates and Family Provision

• Family Protection Act 1955 claims
• Testamentary promises claims under the Law Reform, Testamentary Promises Act 1949
• Disputes involving relationship property claims against a deceased estate

Surrogacy and Fertility

• Surrogacy arrangements and legal parentage issues
• Adoption orders arising from surrogacy

Elder Law Intersections

• Enduring powers of attorney disputes
• Family disputes involving care of elderly parents
• Undue influence claims relating to family arrangements

Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Family Dispute Resolution mediation
• Negotiated settlements outside of court
• Collaborative law processes

Other

• Recognition of overseas relationship property and custody orders
• Name change disputes involving children
• Family trusts and their restructuring in the context of separation