Separation and divorce can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. Fort Law provides clear advice and firm advocacy to help protect your interests and achieve fair outcomes.

We assist with:

• Separation and divorce proceedings

• Family Proceedings Act 1980 matters

• Division of relationship property under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976

• Drafting and advising on separation agreements

• Mediation and negotiated settlements

• Court litigation where required

• Assets including homes, land, businesses, companies, trusts and KiwiSaver

• Spousal maintenance and income considerations

• Trust disputes

Fort Law provides services drafting and finalising Contracting Out Agreements as well as providing independent advice on Contracting Out Agreements.

Fort Law provides:

• Drafting of contracting out (prenup) agreements

• Independent legal advice on agreements

• Asset and income protection

• Agreements for new, second, or blended families

• Ring-fencing gifts or inheritances

• Essential relationship property advice for people who own land or real estate in New Zealand

Estate disputes or Will disputes involve navigating complex legal matters, while also going through loss and grief.

Fort Law provides compassionate and clear advice and assistance with Estate and Will disputes. 

Fort Law assists with: 

• Inter family disputes on the passing of a loved one

• Assisting with negotiated agreements and completing Deeds of Family Arrangement

• Family Protection Act 1955 matters

• Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 matters

• Equitable claims against estates

• Defending claims against estates

When a loved one is unable to manage their own affairs and has not executed Enduring Power of Attorney documents.

Fort Law assists with:

• Applications to appoint Property Managers

• Applications to appoint Welfare Guardians

• Renewal of existing orders

• Matters under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (known as the PPPRA)

Adoption is a significant and deeply personal journey. Fort Law can assist with the legal steps required to finalise an adoption through the Family Court.

In special situations, Fort Law offers pro-bono (free adoption services) or reduced fee adoption services. Enquire directly to find out more about this service. Free or reduced fee adoption services are only available by direct and specific agreement with Fort Law, and are only offered when certain conditions are met, including when Fort Law has capacity to provide this service. 

Fort Law supports parents and caregivers through parenting arrangements and disputes, with a focus on the best interests of the child.

We assist with:

• Parenting agreements and consent orders

• Day-to-day care and contact disputes

• Applications for Parenting Orders

• Guardianship disputes, including relocation matters

• Care of Children Act 2004 proceedings

Fort Law provides assistance in making applications for Protection Orders (including ancillary property orders) and defending these orders.

We assist with:

• Applications for Protection Orders

• Urgent (without notice) applications

• Ancillary property orders

• Defending protection orders

• Family Violence Act 2018 matters