Family

IMPORTANT: Due to the current COVID-19 situation, some courts will be closed or operating at reduced capacity.  Please check the Court Closures page or call 0800 COURTS if you have any questions.

 

Guidance for parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers

Parents who have shared custody of their children but live in different cities during alert level 4 should follow the official advice:

Guidance for parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers

Lawyers will still be able to provide legal advice during this time if parents cannot reach agreement between themselves.


Get information about family issues, and other times when you need help.

  • Relationship break up »

    A break up can be hard to navigate and everyone’s journey will be different. Formally ending a marriage or civil union requires a court process, as can the decisions about the care of children and sorting out joint property. The relationship break up tool can help you find the information that is most important to you. You can also use it to create a to do list.

  • Separation & divorce »

    Get help to separate or divorce when your marriage, civil union or de facto relationship ends.

  • Care of children »

    Information on making arrangements for the care of your children and how the Family Court can help you sort out arrangements.

  • About Family Court »

    Find out how the Family Court and other services can help you resolve problems.

  • Family violence »

    Information on how to get help and/or legal protection from the Family Court if you're in, or have been in, a family or close personal relationship with a person being violent.

  • Relationship property »

    Get help to make agreements about relationship property and assets at any time during your relationship, or when the relationship ends or the other partner dies.

  • Challenge a will »

    Find out the reasons you can challenge a will and how to do it in Family Court.

  • Change sex on your birth certificate »

    How to change the sex on your birth certificate.

  • Powers to make decisions for others »

    How you can help people who may not be fully able to make decisions for themselves, including information on enduring power of attorney, welfare guardians, property managers and Personal Orders.

  • Court ordered treatment »

    The court can order treatment for mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse or other addiction issues.

  • Information for lawyers & service providers »

    Resources for lawyers and service providers, including without notice applications, mediation and parenting courses.

  • Civil restraint orders to prevent meritless cases »

    The Family Court can make an order to restrict a person from starting or continuing to bring civil cases which are unwarranted or meritless.

  • Get consent to marry if you’re aged 16 or 17 »

    If you’re aged 16 or 17 and want to marry, or be in a civil union or de facto relationship with someone, you’ll need the consent of a Family Court judge.

  • Contact the Family Court »

    Find out how to contact or find a Family Court.

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