Why might I need a Family Lawyer?

We are all a member of a family. A specialist Family Lawyer can assist you with the many legal issues that might arise out of your family relationships.

Family Law isn’t limited to issues that arise when people separate. You may need a Family Lawyer for these matters concerning children:

• Proceedings involving grandparents and other family/whanau members
• Acting for parents when Child, Youth and Family (CYF) are involved
• Obtaining parenting orders for CYF caregivers ("Home For Life")
• Paternity applications
• Applications by fathers or grandparents for guardianship of a child
• Adoption applications

A significant proportion of a specialist Family Lawyer’s work is to do with property, such as:
• “Pre-nuptial” property sharing agreements
• Overturning unfair relationship property settlement agreements.
• Challenging wills of deceased relatives
• Protection of Personal and Property Rights proceedings and Enduring Powers of Attorney
• Applications to review decisions by the Commissioner for Inland Revenue concerning child support

In the above situations, you will almost certainly benefit from a specialist family lawyer’s advice.