Divorce & Separation

Separation is usually a stressful and difficult time, and can be complicated by many matters such as disagreement about parenting arrangements for children, the division of property, and jointly held commercial interests.

A lawyer can help navigate your through this difficult time with sensitive and sensible legal advice and representation through negotiations, formal mediation, or court where that is necessary. We will communicate clearly with you throughout the process so that you understand the legal options that are available and so that you can make the best choice for your personal circumstances. Finalising the legal issues will help each party move forward after separation  to the next stage in their lives.

Relationship Property Settlements

When you are contemplating how to divide up jointly held assets, it is always useful to have a clear understanding of how property is usually divided by the courts. We can help you to negotiate an outcome and ensure that your agreement is legally binding.

In circumstances where an agreement is unlikely, we can advise and appear for you in all aspects of the court process, including preparing court documents, asking the court for orders, and speaking on your behalf.

Custody and Access

We can assist in settling disputes about the arrangements for children following separation, including custody, access and guardianship issues (such as education, health and religion).

Susie has experience in achieving resolution through negotiated settlements, and also in conducting proceedings through the courts, including making urgent applications.

We will ensure that you understand how the system works, what sorts of orders you can seek, what issues the court will consider to be important, and give you clear advice in simple language on how to go about achieving the best result for you and your children.

In disputes about important decisions in your child’s life such as schooling, medical treatment, or moving within New Zealand or overseas, we can make urgent applications to the court when it is necessary.

Family Violence

We specialise in providing urgent assistance if you and/or your children need to be protected from domestic violence:  temporary orders can be made on the day we see you if there is real urgency.

We will give you information about other orders you may wish to seek, and the confidential support programmes available for you.

We can also provide assistance if you wish to oppose an application for a protection order being made against you.