Expertise
Personal law
Helping you tackle life’s major events and challenges.
Life’s big events – like buying a house, going through a separation, or a significant financial dispute – can be complex and emotionally challenging. At Ford Sumner, we provide clear, practical legal advice to help you move forward with confidence.
Our experienced, empathetic team are available to give you guidance across key areas of law, including:
Family law – Supporting you with separation, care of children, guardianship, and relationship property issues, including representing you in the Family Court if necessary
Property transactions – Guiding you through buying, selling, leasing, or refinancing property, as well as estate planning for your blended family.
Dispute resolution – Helping you resolve conflicts as efficiently as possible, through negotiation, mediation, or, if necessary, going to court.
So whether you’re planning for the future or facing an unexpected hurdle, we’re here to protect your interests with expert advice and a pragmatic approach.
Supporting you through life’s big events:
Our personal law services
At Ford Sumner, we’re committed to achieving the best outcomes for our clients. We will work proactively with you to minimise stress,
resolve matters as efficiently as possible, and help you move forward with certainty and confidence.
Family law
Family matters are often both deeply personal and legally complex. Whether it’s the issues that often accompany separation, like dividing property or making parenting arrangements, or you’re planning for your later life, we will provide clear, pragmatic advice for your situation.
Our team can support you with care of children processes, guardianship disputes, and division of relationship property, including “contracting out” (“prenup”) agreements.
We can also help you with longer-term planning of your financial and personal affairs – like estate planning, setting up a family trust, and appointing someone to handle your affairs if necessary under an enduring power of attorney.
We focus on achieving a practical and lasting resolution of issues and disputes – whether through negotiation, mediation, or, if necessary, going to court – so that you can move forward with confidence.
Wills and enduring powers of attorney
Our team can assist with drafting and updating wills, ensuring you cover all important aspects and are aware of your obligations. We work proactively with you to ensure your wishes are clearly recorded.
It is also important that you put steps in place to protect yourself and your family if you lose mental capacity. Enduring powers of attorney ensure you have someone you trust to make decision around your personal care and welfare and property matters, if you cannot.
Asset protection, trusts and estate planning
Planning for the future is an important step, and the legal and financial considerations can be complex. We provide clear, practical advice on all aspects of estate planning – whether you are looking to protect your assets, provide for your family, or put a structured plan in
Our team can assist with setting up and managing trusts, asset structuring, and succession planning, including arrangements for business and personal assets. We work proactively to ensure your plans are clear and effective, minimise potential issues, and give you confidence that your affairs are properly organised for the future.
Residential property
Buying, selling or refinancing property is a major financial step, and the legal details can be complicated. We provide clear, practical advice on all aspects of property law – whether you’re buying your first home, aligning buying and selling, or managing an investment property transaction.
Our property law team can help you with sale and purchase agreements, conveyancing, due diligence, leasing, and property financing. We work proactively to protect your interests, resolve any problems quickly and efficiently, and help you work through the process with confidence.
Estate administration
Managing an estate after someone has passed can be an emotional and complex process. We provide clear, practical advice on all aspects of estate administration to ensure all wishes are carried out in accordance with the Will.
Our experience means we can administer estates efficiently, including navigating the probate process, closing bank accounts, realising or transferring investments and other assets,
We also manage estate disputes or help in situations where there is no Will in place.
Relationship property
Relationship property issues can quickly become complicated, especially when assets and financial responsibilities need to be untangled. We take a practical, measured approach – helping you understand your position and make informed decisions, whether you’re planning ahead or working through a separation.
Our team advises on ‘contracting out’ (“pre-nuptial”) agreements. This allows for you to agree on the division of assets should a relationship end rather than falling under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.
We focus on achieving fair, workable outcomes with the division of assets, and resolving disputes while protecting your interests and keeping the process as straightforward as possible.
Personal Law
Why Choose Ford Sumner Lawyers?
At Ford Sumner Lawyers, we understand that legal issues affecting your personal life can be stressful and often require urgent attention. Our legal service combines expertise with a strategic, solutions-focused approach to help you navigate challenges with confidence.
We have a strong track record of delivering practical legal solutions across a wide range of personal law matters. Whether you need assistance with a straightforward property transaction or a complex family dispute, we tailor our advice to your unique circumstances, ensuring you receive clear guidance and effective representation.
Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and experienced litigators, meaning we can resolve issues efficiently through mediation or alternative dispute resolution methods. However, if court proceedings are necessary, we will advocate strongly on your behalf to protect your interests.
Jaesen Sumner
“Jaesen helped me tirelessly with a dispute resolution. He was innovative and thoughtful with his solutions and i'm very thankful he was on our team.
- Simone De Beauvoir, Dispute client 2024
Jordan Todd
Associate
Commercial
Corporate
Employment
"I want to sincerely thank you for the outstanding support and guidance you have provided me over the past five years. Your professionalism, expertise, and advice have been invaluable, and I have really appreciated the way you’ve helped me navigate various matters especially tenancies and this sale."
- Anonymous
Maggie Knowles
Legal Executive
Commercial
Corporate
"I want to acknowledge the positive impact your team has made and express my gratitude for everything you’ve contributed during this time.”
- Anonymous
Meet the personal law team
Sarah Churstain
Joanne Cheer
Jordan Todd
Fenella Smith
Elizabeth Hughes
Nikita Govind
News and insights
Personal law: Legal updates and case studies
At Ford Sumner, we are a committed part of New Zealand’s business sector and local communities. We keep a watchful eye for relevant legislative and regulatory changes, and we regularly write and share updates on what these changes will mean in practice for our clients.
So check in regularly with this part of our website, and subscribe to our newsletters.
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