Alesha Evetts appointed as Partner
The Sharp Tudhope family grows We’re proud to share that Alesha Evetts, who leads our family law team, has been appointed as a Partner at Sharp Tudhope. A Tauranga local,…
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Relationship Property
Writing your Will – Navigating moral duty within blended families
You might expect that your Will is your final say and that it would prevent any future family arguments. However, the reality is that your Will can be challenged. A…
Protecting your inheritance from your spouse or partner
How do I protect my inheritance from my spouse or partner? Sometimes we are lucky enough to receive a gift or inheritance from family members, either while they are alive…
Free legal advice not always the best advice
Perhaps you have a lawyer for a friend. Or, maybe your gym buddy’s friend’s cousin’s boyfriend’s aunt is a lawyer. It may be tempting to ask for free legal advice.…
Separating? Make sure your Will is up to date too!
Under the law, there is a “state of limbo” when married couples separate but are not yet divorced. If you have decided to separate, you should consider the following: You…
Moving in or moving on? Plan ahead!
Have you and your partner entered into a Relationship Property Agreement? You might be surprised to find that your separate property may not be as secure from your partner as…
What’s Mine Is Yours. But Is It Really?
Making the decision to live with your partner is an exciting time. It is a big step, but also requires some legal foresight. The law in New Zealand creates a…
Do You Need A Legal Health Check?
Covid-19 has the world focussed on our physical health, with good reason. During this time of uncertainty, we also should be thinking about our “legal health”. A quick check you…
Future Proof Your Health And Wellbeing With An Epa
Often, we think of the elderly when considering putting enduring powers of attorney in place – but the reality is that everyone should have one. Having an EPA means you…
Estate Administration – What Happens When Someone Dies?
The death of a loved one is a stressful time for families and sorting out the legal aspects can be a daunting task for those left behind. The first step…
Moving In Or Moving On – Are You Responsible For Your Partner’s Student Loan Debt?
Student loans are often forgotten when couples think about relationship property and relationship debt. Personal debt will usually remain with the person that incurred the debt, while relationship debt is…
Getting Divorced – What Now?
Whilst movies and TV shows lead us to believe that “getting a divorce” is all very simple and straightforward, in New Zealand this is quite often not the case. In…
Legally Official Or Just Facebook Official?
If you are in a long-term relationship, but not married, you may be wondering where you and your partner stand when it comes to ownership of your hard-earned assets. If…
Separation And Relationship Property Division – How Does It Work?
When a relationship fails, relationship property division can be settled either by agreement between the parties, or by a decision of a Family Court Judge. As experienced Family lawyers, we…
Are There Time Limits For Dividing Your Property?
If your marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship has ended, then you should be aware that there are statutory time limits for dividing your property. Parties are often…
Are “Do It Yourself” Separation Agreements Valid?
We have recently come across situations where parties have attempted to divide their property without appropriate legal advice. An agreement prepared by the parties and subsequently signed and witnessed by…