Q: My mother recently passed away. Before she passed, she had been living with my partner and me. Mum left a reasonably modest estate. Her will leaves everything to my brother and me. He had...Read More
It is an uncomfortable but necessary task to consider what will happen to your property after you die. The law of succession determines how your property will be distributed. Most people...Read More
Listen in as I talk with Tim Beveridge on Newstalk ZB and answer questions from listeners about family law issues, including how to find the right family lawyer, prenuptial agreements, Wills,...Read More
Q. I am currently splitting from my husband of 14 years. Our investments, including a rental and the family home which I am still living in with our children, are in a family trust. Both of...Read More
Q. My friend is in his 70’s and his health has been poor for some time. He divorced from his wife many years ago and has two adult children from that relationship. He met a new partner about...Read More
Q. My husband and I have separated but have not yet divorced. I have started a new relationship and my partner and I have been together for a year. I cannot remember whether I have a Will - I...Read More
Q. My father passed away 15 years ago and my mother five years ago. My sister has mental health issues and as she is of retirement age, we all thought she would be in residential care long...Read More
In this article by Priscilla Dickinson from Newshub, I explain why you should update your Will following a separation. Getting your last wishes on paper is the only way to ensure...Read More
When a person dies, disputes can arise as to the division of their property and the contents of their Will. Sometimes how property is dispersed under the Will does not reflect what a deceased...Read More
Q. My partner of 10 years died unexpectedly a couple of months ago and did not have a Will. We own a house together and some other assets. She has three adult children from a different...Read More
When you die without a will, you leave a tricky situation for those you leave behind. The case of Lowrey v Jonathan is a good illustration of these impacts: Lowrey v Jonathan This is a...Read More
The short answer to that question is yes. As Fogarty J says in Martin v Finlayson – “no Court has ever said that an unequal distribution of assets among siblings needs to be morally justified....Read More