Third Time Lucky – Polyamorous Relationships and the Property (Relationships) Act 1976

March 2022

Annie Withington

In the recent case of  PAUL v MEAD [2021] NZCA 649 the Court of Appeal was asked to determine whether the Family Court has jurisdiction under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the PRA) to determine the property rights of three persons in a ... Read more

Sensible Separation

June 2021

Emily Flaszynski

Separation occurs for many reasons: a gradual breakdown of a relationship, third party interference, hope for a new beginning. Whatever the reason, the breakdown of a relationship is one of life’s most significant events. This is amplified when ... Read more

Prenuptial Agreements: Should I have one?

June 2021

Natasha McClure

In New Zealand prenuptial agreements are called a “contracting out agreement”. The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the “Act”) by default directs that couples who have been “living together” for three years or more whether married or ... Read more

Housing Market Boom and Relationship Property Settlements

March 2021 The current property market boom has led to unprecedented sale prices and has had unexpected flow-on effects in many areas. One, in particular, we are seeing at Mortlock McCormack Law is the effect it has had on couples going through a ... Read more

Divorce rate in Wuhan doubles after lockdown

June 2020

Emily Flaszynski

Reports coming out of Wuhan suggest that the lockdown had a distinct effect on relationships, an effect that has seen the divorce rate soar. At Mortlock McCormack Law we hope the same is not seen here but sometimes relationships get broken and like ... Read more

Review of the Property Relationships Act

September 2019

Ruby Haddon

The Law Commission has recently released its final report reviewing the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (PRA). The Commission began the reviewing process back in 2016. The final report takes into account public feedback that has been received in ... Read more

Contracting out of the Property (Relationships) Act

September 2018

Susan Lyall

Do you own a home? Are you living in that home with your partner or spouse? Has your relationship lasted 3 years or more? If you answered yes to these questions, then your home is the family home under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the ... Read more