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Jeremy is an expert in family law, relationship property and care of children issues.

Jeremy reading from a book titled divorce after 50

Separation Services.

If you’re thinking of separating, you will likely have questions and concerns. What will happen with your home and your children if you separate? Should you move out? And what are the next steps to take? How will your business ownership be impacted by your separation? Jeremy can explain your rights, responsibilities and options in separation.

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Relationship Property & Trusts

Relationship Property & Trusts

For clients who have trusts, businesses or properties in New Zealand or overseas, there can be additional challenges and complications. As a specialist family lawyer, Jeremy routinely deals with these cases. You earned it, we’ll protect it. You should make a plan against life’s uncertainties.

When couples separate after being together for more than three years, the law usually requires that their relationship property is divided equally between each party - but there are many exceptions. Jeremy will assist you to understand the complexity of relationship property law.

Spousal Support

Spousal maintenance is financial support assisting a financially weaker partner to meet their reasonable needs. When a relationship ends, one person may need financial support from their ex-partner or spouse to cover living expenses while they get back on their feet. Spousal maintenance is to be paid to the financially weaker party if they cannot meet their “reasonable needs” and the other person can afford to assist them. While it is referred to as “spousal” maintenance, the law confirms that de facto partners are also able to bring a claim. It's expected that after a reasonable amount of time both parties will be responsible for meeting their own living costs.

Spousal maintenance is usually obtained via agreement of the parties through their lawyers or from applying to the Family Court. Jeremy can assist you with preparing a budget of your weekly income and expenditure to calculate any shortfall (or surplus). It is also useful to look at bank statements over the last 12 months to make sure all expenses have been included. Jeremy’s guidance can make the process smoother, whether you are trying to reach an agreement or need assistance with applying for (or defending) an application in the Family Court.

Care of Children

When there is a child or children involved in a separation, many difficult and complex decisions need to be made. Jeremy helps parents protect their relationships with their children. He can help you to negotiate with your partner in a way that minimises conflict and achieves the right outcomes.

Dispute Resolution.

Jeremy is known for his pragmatic approach in divorce negotiations. No matter the complexity, he ensures that you and your partner reach a strong resolution. Jeremy represents his clients personally at roundtable meetings and in mediation.

Agreement

Jeremy is known for his pragmatic approach in reaching agreement through negotiation. Even where there is deep acrimony, Jeremy can help you negotiate with your partner and reach an agreement that you are happy with.

Mediation

Mediation is a collaborative way for people to resolve disputes. It involves the parties meeting together with a mediator to talk through their dispute and points of view. The mediator facilitates the conversation to help the parties reach an agreement that is acceptable to them both.

Court Representation

If agreement cannot be reached and your case progresses to Court, Jeremy can represent you. He feels at home in the courtroom, with the legal acumen to be your best advocate.

Appeals

Jeremy has a wealth of litigation experience, presenting cases in the Family Court and up to the Supreme Court. He has access to experts whose opinions are well respected in Court.

Jeremy as a Mediator

As an accredited mediator, Jeremy represents his clients personally at roundtable meetings and in mediation. Jeremy conducts private mediations in relationship property disputes, including where there are trusts, businesses and multi-property portfolios.

He also mediates in situations regarding the management of trusts, care of children and disputes over wills. He is also a trained Collaborative Professional and member of Collaborative Resolution NZ, offering alternative dispute resolution that is intended to keep matters out of court.

Case Studies.

Trust Busting: K v K

Trust Busting: K v K is a 2022 High Court decision illustrating how trust assets can still be divided by the Court between separating spouses

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Are “prenup” agreements becoming more popular?

A curious case before the Court Of Appeal has seen a Christchurch engineer fail to get half the sale proceeds of his ex-wife’s veterinary clinic. Kirsten and Shaune Wylie started living together in 2005 and married in March 2008. Their marrage lasted seven years. They both had assets and business interests of their own and had signed an agreement contracting out of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.

Jeremy joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels on Newstalk ZB to explain “pre-nups” and what it means to contract out of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Listen to the full interview here.

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When a Trust is not enough

This article is an overview of a recent case where the Court needed to determine whether the property was transferred to a Trust to defeat a claim unser s 44 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976

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Economic disparity claims and section 15: are they worth it?

Section 15 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 was enacted to provide courts with a power to redress economic disparity between partners after the breakdown of a relationship. The section allows the Court to compensate a partner from the pool of relationship when the disparity is caused by the division of functions during the relationship.

However, the section has been difficult to apply. It can be more costly than beneficial for applicants, especially when the potential award of compensation is small. This has been demonstrated in the recent decision of the High Court in G v G [2020] NZHC 1001. Walker J noted that the application of s 15 has been bedevilled by the wording “because of the effects of the division of functions”.

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My Experience with Jeremy and his dedicated team was an absolute pleasure in a very disconcerting time. I was under immense stress but the professionalism by Jeremy and his team was admirable and kept me confident. Jeremy gave me options and I was grateful for this.

Sebastian

Absolutely pleased with result - these guys rock. I spent some time finding a lawyer who actually cares. Highly recommend Jeremy and his team. Tracy kept me informed all the way through the process.

David Powell

The separation from my husband was an emotional and arduous journey at times but I will always be grateful for the care, kindness and information received from Jeremy and his team.

Liz

I knew nothing of Jeremy until I randomly heard him on the radio. What caught my attention was his willingness to provide practical advice, and to help ordinary people find their way through those often daunting legal processes. When I contacted Jeremy, he proved to be approachable, obliging, and happy to offer options for dealing with the matter at hand.

Kevin

Jeremy had a very clear handle on my case before the end of our first conversation. He soon helped me exit the relationship with equal amounts of empathy and legal advice. Since then, Jeremy has moved things along quickly and assertively and connected me to the right experts. I’m extremely grateful to Jeremy and team for making an emotionally painful separation as painless as possible, and look forward to a positive outcome.

Julie

In the time I have worked with Jeremy, I have found him to be pragmatic yet empathetic to his clients' needs. Jeremy's professional, consistent and dedicated approach serves his clients well from the start of separation to the final stages of divorce. I highly recommend Jeremy to anyone seeking a family lawyer, as he possesses a superior level of knowledge and skill that clients require to navigate their way through a separation.

Danielle Turnbull, Divorce Coach

Jeremy’s style was refreshing – empathetic, direct and focused on my priorities. Communication is important to me and he exceeded my expectations in terms of clarity, frequency and availability. Jeremy is very experienced and provided extremely sound counsel. Highly recommend.

Drew

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