A will is meant to bring clarity and peace of mind, yet far too many New Zealand families find themselves locked in bitter disputes after a loved one passes away. What should be a time for grieving instead becomes a battlefield of conflicting claims, hurt feelings, and mounting legal bills. The good news is that… Continue reading Common Mistakes That Lead to Will Disputes in New Zealand
Author: Evolution Lawyers
What to Do When a Building Encroaches on Your Land
Discovering that a neighbour’s building has encroached onto your property can be a stressful and complicated situation. Understanding your legal rights and the steps you can take to resolve the issue is essential for protecting your land ownership. This article will guide you through the process of addressing building encroachment in New Zealand. Your Legal… Continue reading What to Do When a Building Encroaches on Your Land
Mediation vs. Litigation in Will Disputes – Which Is Better?
Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added strain of disagreements over their will and final wishes. Unfortunately, these disagreements can quickly escalate, turning grief into conflict and putting family relationships at risk. When such disagreements arise, the path you choose to resolve them matters just as much as the outcome itself. This… Continue reading Mediation vs. Litigation in Will Disputes – Which Is Better?
Contesting a Will in New Zealand
What does it mean to contest a will? The answer depends on why you are unhappy about it. This article explains the five most common reasons to contest a will in New Zealand: The will-maker failed to make adequate provision for a family member’s proper maintenance and support, in breach of a moral duty to… Continue reading Contesting a Will in New Zealand
Will Contests Between Siblings – Who Gets What?
When a parent passes away, disputes about how the estate is to be divided can arise between their children. Siblings are often unhappy about the share given to them under the will or about the fact they have been cut out entirely. What can be done about this? Are siblings stuck with the terms of… Continue reading Will Contests Between Siblings – Who Gets What?
Equal Sharing of Relationship Property
If spouses, civil union partners, or people in a de facto relationship (each a Partner) separate, how is their property to be divided after separation? Who gets what? One of the fundamental principles of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (Act) is that Partners are entitled to an equal share of their relationship property. This article… Continue reading Equal Sharing of Relationship Property
Contracting Out of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976
The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (Act) sets out how the property of spouses, civil union partners, and parties to a de facto relationship (Partner) is to be divided when they separate or one of them dies. One of the key presumptions is that relationship property will be divided equally. However, Partners are not stuck with… Continue reading Contracting Out of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976