+64 7 839 4771

Family and Relationship Law

Family law can be complex and emotionally challenging. We combine exceptional legal advice with an empathetic approach to help our clients navigate complexity and make confident decisions around their significant personal relationships.


Tompkins Wake is one of New Zealand's leading and most experienced family and relationship law teams. Tompkins Wake delivers specialised legal services across New Zealand from our offices in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga and Rotorua. Because our lawyers practice exclusively in this area of law, our clients have access to unrivalled knowledge and expertise. 

We work to understand our client's concerns and objectives, providing pragmatic and strategic advice for resolving matters and helping our clients be in the best possible position to move forward with their lives.

Our online assessment application uses innovative legal technology, which allows you to get started on your matter in your own time and space. The assessment application is free and provides instant, tailored information enabling you to understand the legal frameworks that will be applied to your specific situation and showing you where you stand in minutes. Our lawyers will then use the information you've provided online to move forward with your matter efficiently and effectively.

As well as being one of New Zealand's largest family law practices, Tompkins Wake is also a leading commercial law firm. Our lawyers work closely with other specialist teams across Tompkins Wake to ensure our clients receive strategic advice tailored to their specific issues.

Where matters cannot be resolved through alternate dispute resolution, we advocate for our clients and protect their interests in Court.

Recognition

Tompkins Wake is ranked as a Leading (First Tier) Family and Relationship Law firm by Doyles Guide.

Award Lineup for Family and Relationship Law Practice Page

Areas of expertise:

  • Adoption
  • Capacity Issues (Claims under PPPR Act)
  • Care of Children
  • Child Support
  • Court Applications
  • Dissolution (Divorce)
  • Estate Claims
  • Family Law
  • International Family Law
  • Lawyer for Child
  • Relationship Property Disputes
  • Spousal Maintenance
  • Trust Litigation and Dispute Resolution
  • Relationship Property Agreements
  • Contracting Out/Pre-Nuptial Agreements
  • PPPR Act applications (capacity issues)
  • De Facto Relationships
  • Family Violence
  • Reproductive Law
  • Surrogacy Law
  • Family Protection

Family and Relationship Law team

Kate Sullivan

Partner

Stephanie Ambler

Partner

Zandra Wackenier

Partner

Damandeep Sadhra

Senior Associate

Helen Radinovich

Senior Associate

Rebecca Dean

Senior Associate

Olivia Morgan

Senior Associate

Alex Fanning

Associate

Catharina Chung

Associate

Isabella Stevenson

Associate

Charlotte Lunt

Senior Solicitor

Grace Walker

Solicitor

Lucy Edmond

Solicitor

Rebekah Vercoe

Solicitor

Knowledge and insights

Cryptocurrency - Here's what happens to it during a separation

Monday 10 October, 2022

Read more >>

Shots, shots, shots… everybody?

Tuesday 23 November, 2021

Read more >>

Parenting Arrangements under Alert Level 2

Wednesday 8 September, 2021

Read more >>

Opening a window on separation

Thursday 13 May, 2021

Read more >>

Will the bright-line test changes affect separating couples?

Thursday 29 April, 2021

Read more >>

What does the bubble mean for trans-Tasman parenting arrangements?

Thursday 15 April, 2021

Read more >>

Are assets only safe until death do us part?

Monday 22 February, 2021

Read more >>

Is your trust safe?

Tuesday 20 October, 2020

Read more >>

Firing ex-wife costs husband $70,000

Friday 3 July, 2020

Read more >>

When relationship debts are greater than relationship assets

Monday 29 June, 2020

Read more >>

Stay at home Mum receives more than 50% of the property pool

Monday 15 June, 2020

Read more >>

Can trust powers be relationship property and when debts can be divided?

Tuesday 16 June, 2020

Read more >>

Equal sharing to stay for now

Tuesday 17 December, 2019

Read more >>

Part 3: Trusts Act 2019: Beneficiaries' rights to information

Thursday 21 November, 2019

Read more >>

Part 2: Trusts Act 2019: Trustees' duties

Tuesday 22 October, 2019

Read more >>

Part 1: Trusts Act 2019

Monday 14 October, 2019

Read more >>

Is this the end of equal sharing?

Tuesday 30 July, 2019

Read more >>

Can a trustee use trust funds for litigation costs?

Friday 22 March, 2019

Read more >>

Are you dating or in a de facto relationship?

Tuesday 2 October, 2018

Read more >>

Key changes to limitations for civil claims

Monday 13 March, 2017

Read more >>

Conscious Uncoupling - an alternative approach to separation

Read more >>

Get started with our team now
Create a free review of your matter in minutes