Recommended lawyer for property agreement in Hamilton

[brentn]

I was hoping someone could recommend a good lawyer in Hamilton to draft a property agreement before my partner moves in. I realise some see this quite negatively, but we've discussed it and she agrees that it protects both of us by clearly stating how we'll deal with assets / property we currently own separately, and how we'll manage joint property once living together etc.

Any advice appreciated

thanks

Brent

[dylan]

Treasure McKinstry from rodney Lewis law, she is absolutely brilliant.

[Rosco]

For any legal work, get a quote, and ensure it includes everything. Also watch admin fee's and other costs that they add on.

Ross

[Claudia King]

Hi Brent, great to hear you were able to talk to your partner and come to a sensible agreement. Ditto what Rosco says about getting a quote. My colleague Aimee McGowan at Legal Beagle is an excellent relationship property lawyer. She is based in New Plymouth but prepares RPAs for people all over NZ and does everything by Skype, and she'll give you an all inclusive quote.

[Lanthanide]

My understanding is that you both need to seek independent legal advice. You can come up with whatever agreement you like, and write it on a napkin, but you must each have separate lawyers who witness the napkin being signed.

Independent lawyers are there to give each party independent advice about what is best for their circumstances and their future - you can of course ignore any advice received and sign the napkin anyway.

[brentn]

Thanks for the advice and recommendations, really appreciated.

Brent

[rocket]

Is skype acceptable for witnessing etc?
I face this problem when I have to seek colleagues or JPs help for witnessing as my solicitor lives in a distant town.

[Lanthanide]

I have direct experience with your skype question.

When I broke up with my ex, when it came to finally settle all of the relationship property, he had moved to the US. NZ law requires a lawyer registered in NZ to witness the signing of the documents. We arranged his signing to occur over a skype session with his lawyer.

There hasn't been any specific precedent to rule it in or out as a valid way to sign a document, but for cases such as ours, there really isn't any other practicable cost-effective way to do it, so there's no reason to expect it wouldn't stand up under legal scrutiny.

[Perry]

Would the Electronic Transactions
Act provides some guidance?