Articles related to ‘Family’
Thursday, 9 June, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
It sure can be, but does it have to be? The answer is no, but only if you have the right protection for your assets.
A recent issue of the NZ Listener focused on the expense of divorce/separation, particularly for those who may halve their assets following a first relationship breakdown and then need to halve them again following a second relationship break-up.
It also looked at the… Continue reading
Monday, 30 May, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
After living as a couple sharing with flat mates for 2 years Marie and Steve decided to buy their own place. Marie had always had a substantially higher salary than Steve. Marie also received a large inheritance from her grandmother years earlier. Marie put $100,000 towards the purchase price as a cash contribution, while Steve put $5,000. They took a mortgage in their joint names, which they contributed to fairly… Continue reading
Monday, 30 May, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
The Property (Relationships) Act dramatically changed the implications of entering into a de facto relationship. The Act also changed some of the law relating to the division of matrimonial property (which is now called relationship property). In April 2005, the new law was extended to apply to Civil Unions.
Some key points are:
- De facto relationships include same sex relationships.
- A person can be in two
Wednesday, 25 May, 2011 | Claire Coe
Derek owned a small shop in the suburbs of Wellington. Earlier this year, he found himself unable to pay creditors and had to close his business. He ended up being sued by creditors of the business who were able to claim part of the family home that he owned with his wife. If only he had protected their assets with a Trust, this could have been avoided.
Reasons to… Continue reading
Thursday, 28 April, 2011 | James Johnston
Rainey Collins Senior Associate Ronette Druskovich will be featuring as part of a radio documentary, “Insight on Family Trusts” , on Radio NZ this Sunday 1 May just after the 8am news, and again on Monday 2 May after the 9pm news.
The documentary can also be heard on the internet at http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight. Ronette will be contributing her legal opinion on the creation of family trusts, and the… Continue reading
Monday, 4 April, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
In the North Shore Family Court, male partners to a civil union successfully applied to adopt two children born through surrogacy.
The Adoption Orders were made despite the fact that the particular surrogacy arrangement (which took place in the USA) could not have happened in New Zealand. It could not happen here as a result of our laws relating to surrogacy and egg donation.
A friend of the… Continue reading
Monday, 4 April, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
Whilst an increasing number of separated families are opting for shared care arrangements, what works best for some children may not work for others.
There is no presumption under New Zealand law that children will be better off living with Mum or Dad. What is clear from the research in this area is that children do best when they have a good relationship with both parents.
You and… Continue reading
Thursday, 24 March, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
Family Lawyer, Debbie Dunbar is giving a free seminar to discuss relationship property issues and to answer your questions.
The theme is to provide an overview on relationship property, including protecting property during a relationship and what happens when you separate. This will be followed by an open forum where Debbie will answer questions and provide information on the topics/issues you are interested in.
In answering… Continue reading
Wednesday, 16 March, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
Are you having Family law problems?
Do you have questions about relationship property or family law issues?
Family Lawyer, Debbie Dunbar is giving a free seminar to discuss family law issues and to answer your questions.
The theme is to provide an overview on general family law issues followed by an open forum where Debbie will answer questions and provide information on the topics/issues you… Continue reading
Tuesday, 15 March, 2011 | Debbie Dunbar
In a recent case a couple who kept two separate addresses during their ten year relationship were still found to be ‘living together as a couple’ and therefore in a de facto relationship. This meant that when they separated, either party could make a claim for an equal share of any relationship property.
So what is required in order for you to be deemed to be living together in… Continue reading
