Tim Holton Law

06/10/2026

A question for anyone who's been through a separation. Was cost ever a reason you delayed getting legal advice, or didn't get the advice you needed? I ask because it comes up quite a lot, and it's part of why we've been looking at ways to make that less of a barrier for clients.

02/10/2026

Something we see a lot in family law: someone who has every right to a fair settlement, but no way to actually pay a lawyer to get there. The other partner controls the money, or everything's tied up in the house. It's one of the quiet unfairnesses of separation that doesn't get talked about enough. We've started working with JustFund, who provide funding specifically for this situation, repayable once your matter settles. More on the blog.

We've partnered with JustFund to offer flexible funding for family law legal fees, repayable once your matter settles. Find out if it could help.

28/09/2026

I’ve put together an explainer on using KiwiSaver to buy your first home, eligibility, how much you can actually withdraw, how the process works, and a change currently going through Parliament that will help rural and farm buyers who've been locked out until now. Link below if it's useful to you or someone you know who's looking to buy.

A plain-English guide to KiwiSaver for first home buyers: eligibility, how much you can withdraw, timing, and a rural buyer rule change before Parliament.

23/09/2026

Did you know your KiwiSaver withdrawal can take 10 to 15 working days to process? So getting your application in on time matters particularly if you need it to pay the deposit. It’s something that trips up more first home buyers than you'd think. If you want more information about this check out the article on my website.

A plain-English guide to KiwiSaver for first home buyers: eligibility, how much you can withdraw, timing, and a rural buyer rule change before Parliament.

20/09/2026

Here’s a question for anyone who has bought their first home in the last couple of years. Did you sort your KiwiSaver withdrawal early, or did it end up being a last minute scramble before settlement? I ask because it is one of the most common stress points. Keen to hear how it went for you.

17/09/2026

I get a lot of questions about KiwiSaver first home withdrawals. Some people assume there is some kind of cap tied to the price of the house or what they earn. Others don’t allow enough time to process the withdrawal. I’ve added a new article to the website covering how it works. There’s a link in the comments if you want a read.

28/08/2026

A small thing to note in the new agreement: the list of “chattels,” the stuff assumed to be included in a house sale, has been refreshed. Doesn’t sound exciting, I know, but it’s one of the most common things people end up arguing about after settlement (“wait, I thought the curtains were included”). Worth checking. More detail here if you want it:

The standard NZ property contract changed in April 2026 A plain English, point by point summary for Christchurch buyers and sellers.

25/08/2026

I’ve just introduced a new blog section to the Tim Holton Law website. Expect to see regular articles on what’s going on in property and family law. The first article covers the latest version of the Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate. The standard contract was updated in April, which is its first real update in a few years. I’ve put together a summary of what has changed: https://www.timholtonlaw.co.nz/blog/whats-changed-in-the-new-sale-and-purchase-agreement-and-why-it-matters I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the article, and if there’s anything you’d like me to cover in future ones.

10/11/2025

THL were lucky enough to win the Friday office shout thanks to Schnitz & Co 🤩 we are looking forward dining on Friday and enjoying the happy hour specials 🍻

07/03/2023

Some of you may know that we are advertising for a Junior Lawyer and I thought that I would put a post here about it but didn't know what to say. I've been hearing about ChatCPT so I thought I would see what it could do. This is what it came up with:

"Are you ready to take flight in your legal career? Our Family Law team is looking for a Junior Lawyer to join our feathered family! We believe that the sky's the limit when it comes to mentorship and career growth. So, we're not just looking for any legal eagle - we want someone who's passionate about family law, a quick learner, and isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers. In return, we promise to provide a supportive environment where you can soar to new heights. Don't be chicken - apply today! "

I asked it to include a joke. I'm not sure how well it did but it tells me that lawyers aren't known for their sense of humour so what would I know. The reference to birds is a bit spooky given that birds have become a feature in our office décor but maybe I'm just paranoid about AI.

Anyway if you would like to apply or you know anybody that would check out the actual add on Seek.