|
Toggle Nav
From I Do to We're Through: Your Rights in NZ Relationship Property - Live Webinar
For anyone entering a new relationship, living in a de facto partnership, or going through a separation, understanding how the law divides assets can save you stress, time, and money.
In this webinar, you’ll understand the essentials of New Zealand’s relationship property law — what counts as relationship vs. separate property, how the family home, superannuation, and debts are treated, and what options exist for prenups, postnups, and settlement agreements.
Tuesday, 28th October 2025, 1:30-2:30pm | Presented Online via Zoom
Presented by: Aimee McGowan, Partner – Gibson Sheat Lawyers
Please click here to view our Terms & Conditions. You will receive your registration details and 3 Free issues of the NZ Family Law Journal via email within the next working day.
Webinar + 3 Bulletins: $55.00
- This package includes attendance at a one-hour webinar and three complimentary issues of the New Zealand Family Law Journal (Issue 8 – April 2025, Issue 9 – June 2025, and Issue 10 – September 2025). Registration details for the webinar and access to the New Zealand Family Law Journals will be sent via email after purchase.
Presented by:
Aimee McGowan, Partner – Gibson Sheat Lawyers
Aimee works with individuals, families, rural clients and business owners across the Wairarapa and beyond. Her legal expertise spans family trusts, relationship property, wills and estate planning, residential and commercial property, leasing, and rural succession. She also advises on rural and specialist matters including farm sales, forestry transactions, and business finance.
Read more about Aimee McGowan here.
Thinking about your rights when it comes to financial assets and property in relationships?
Practical, clear, and designed for everyday Kiwis, this session will give you the understanding to protect your future. We’ll cover what happens when inheritances or trusts are involved, when unequal sharing may apply, and how to navigate the process of separation with confidence. Whether you’re planning ahead or facing changes now, this webinar will help you make informed decisions and approach property division with clarity and peace of mind.
In this Relationship Property Live Webinar, we will cover:
Introduction to Relationship Property Law in New Zealand
• What the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 covers.
• Who it applies to: marriages, civil unions, and de facto relationships.
• The equal sharing rule as the default starting point.
What Counts as Relationship Property vs. Separate Property
• Common examples of relationship property (family home, income earned during the relationship).
• What typically remains separate property (inheritances, pre-relationship assets).
• How property can change classification over time (e.g., mingling assets).
The Family Home & Family Chattels
• Why the family home is almost always relationship property.
• What counts as “family chattels” (cars, furniture, household items).
• Common disputes and how courts approach them.
Division of Superannuation, Investments, and Business Interests
• How Kiwisaver and pensions are divided.
• Treatment of shares, trusts, and businesses.
• Practical tips for valuing and dividing complex assets.
Contracting Out Agreements (“Prenups” & “Postnups”)
• What they are, when they’re used, and their legal effect.
• Requirements for validity (independent legal advice, certification).
• Pitfalls to avoid when drafting or signing one.
Debt & Relationship Property
• Which debts are shared and which remain individual.
• Treatment of student loans, mortgages, and business debts.
• What happens if one partner racks up significant personal debt
Unequal Sharing: When the Law Allows Departures
• Circumstances where unequal division may be justified (economic disparity, short relationships).
• Key case law examples.
• How courts balance fairness with statutory rules.
Separation & Property Settlements
• The process of dividing property after separation.
• Time limits for making claims.
• Options for resolution: negotiation, mediation, Family Court.
Impact of Trusts & Inheritances
• Common misconceptions about trusts protecting assets.
• How inheritances are treated.
• Strategies people use (and courts’ responses)
Practical Guidance for Consumers
• How to prepare financially before entering or leaving a relationship.
• Red flags to watch for.
• The importance of record-keeping and independent advice
Take a crucial step towards safeguarding your relationship assets!
Terms and conditions apply.