Family Law Resources

When a partner passes away, de facto partners in New Zealand have significant legal rights that can override the wishes expressed in a will. Understanding these rights is essential for protecting your interests during what is already a difficult time. This article explores the legal protections available to de facto partners when challenging will provisions… Continue reading What Rights Do de Facto Partners Have In Will Disputes?

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

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