Dawsons Lawyers

26/09/2026

Three things Rimmer v Wilton [2026] NZSC 122 tells anyone with a contracting out agreement: it can exclude what your partner inherits, the wording is what decides, and an agreement and a will do different jobs. If yours was signed years ago and has not been looked at since, book a review with our team in Kohimarama or East Tamaki — 09 272 0002. General information only, not legal advice.

22/09/2026

Five things to tick off before you retire. None of them take long, and most stay done for years once sorted. Swipe through the checklist, then book a review with our team in Kohimarama or East Tamaki — 09 272 0002. Claire writes about the one people leave too late, and why a retirement village move should come after the review, not before it.

19/09/2026

Moving in together is a legal event, whether or not it feels like one.

After three years, the Property (Relationships) Act treats most of what you own as shared. It applies to de facto couples the same as married ones, and it can include the house one of you already owned before you met.

That is a fair result for plenty of couples. For others it is not what either person would have chosen. A contracting out agreement is how you set your own rules instead.

We see them most often where one person already owns a home, where there are children from an earlier relationship, or where there is an inheritance, a family trust or a business in the picture.

The process is three steps and you each keep your own lawyer, because the law requires independent advice on both sides.

Wondering whether you need one? Just ask. Kohimarama and East Tamaki, or give us a call.

Full guide on our website, link in the comments.

18/09/2026

Selling? Call your lawyer BEFORE you: sign the agency agreement / accept an offer / promise the spa pool stays. Link to our full guide in the comments.

18/09/2026

Most couples who sign a contracting out agreement are thinking about separation. The Supreme Court's decision in Rimmer v Wilton [2026] NZSC 122 is a reminder that the same agreement can also decide what your partner receives from your estate. Claire Endean sets out what the Court decided, why the wording of the agreement mattered so much, and what it means if you have an agreement, a will, or neither. Read it on our blog.

15/09/2026

Check out the article about us in the Business North Magazine. Thanks for including us Business North Magazine.

Winning at the 2026 Ōrākei Local Board Business Awards has inspired Dawsons Lawyers to deepen its involvement in the east Auckland community. The firm took out the Business and Professional Services category, recognising both its professional expertise and strong local connections.

With more than 60 years of serving the region, Dawsons Lawyers continues to put people first through clear communication, trusted legal advice, and growing support for local schools and community events.

Stewart Surveying Ltd, Knobloch & Associates

Full story👇

14/09/2026

Retirement planning tends to focus on money and lifestyle. Fair enough - but there is a legal side too, and it is much easier to sort while life is calm than in the middle of a health scare. Claire's new piece sets out the five things we suggest ticking off: review your will, put your enduring powers of attorney in place, check how your property is owned, ask whether your trust still earns its keep, and talk to your family. Read the full checklist on our blog. Link in comments.

11/09/2026

Buying this spring? 5 checks before you sign.

24/08/2026

A will works when you're gone. An EPA works when you can't.

An enduring power of attorney lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you lose the ability to make them yourself. There are two: one for property, one for personal care and welfare. Most people need both, and most people have neither.

The mistake is waiting. An EPA can only be set up while you still have capacity, so leaving it too late means your family has to go to court instead.

Our plain-English guide explains how they work and how to set them up. Link in comments.

21/08/2026

Some of our team enjoyed The Law Association of New Zealand East Auckland lawyers' lunch this week. Great food, great company, and a wonderful chance to catch up with fellow members of the East Auckland legal community.

Pictured (left to right): Chris Chak (Senior Solicitor), Parisa Feyz (Solicitor), Sammie Harris (Solicitor), Claire Endean (Director), and Nav Kaur (Senior Solicitor).