Life throws all kinds of challenges at us. Whether because things have taken an unexpected turn, a new life goal has been embarked on, or you simply want to preserve your legacy for your loved ones, a lawyer can be a reassuring, expert navigator through life's winds.

RealLaw firms can guide and advise in a diverse range of situations. You can choose from our complete list of Real Law firms or hone in on areas of interest to you below.

If you have never been to a lawyer, or it has been a while since your last check-up, our Legal Checklist can help you identify key areas that need taking care of. Taking the checklist is done offline in the privacy of your home, and is a handy document to pass on to your lawyer if you wish.

Our firms provide assistance with residential and commercial property purchase, sale, mortgages, and tenancies. We check agreements, titles, LIM and other specialist reports, assist with expert advice and guidance, draw up contracts and hopefully help you navigate any tricky situations before they become too hairy.

Estate planning is a complete toolkit for distributing your assets and protecting them against third party claims. Our firms can help you design an estate plan that activates trusts, companies and other appropriate strategies to securely manage your estate's assets over time.

We all have people we care for. A clearly-worded will that precisely details your wishes can be the best peace of mind you can have when it comes to looking after those people after you pass. The disposal of your estate can involve lots of legal legwork in the event of your death without a will, at a time when it is most challenging for your nearest and dearest. You can make it easier on your loved ones by anticipating and clearing up any ambiguities before they arise.

Be sure to review your will periodically in case of any changes to your wishes or the law. You may also want to ask your lawyer about estate planning, for a more structured approach to asset management that can take effect during your lifetime.

As we near our second childhoods, elder law becomes immensely relevant to potential life changes such as retirement to communal living.

The scenarios you need to consider range from managing downsizing to weighing up investment strategies together with licensed advisers. If you haven't already, you should set in place Enduring Powers of Attorney, should you one day no longer be able to make decisions for yourself.

We want you to be able to maximise enjoyment of your assets while protecting them for your family to inherit. Whatever your situation is, you can definitely benefit from having a clear legal plan in place. The law may a default plan that will activate if you don't, and it may not be in line with what you would have wanted. In the worst case, the law will be unclear and you will leave a mess behind for others to fix.

If you have a family member who has unfortunately become incapacitated without a plan in place, we can help you set up the legal framework you will need to make decisions for them.

Financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of elder abuse and there are steps you can take to protect your family against it.

Sharing your life with someone involves trust and compromise for both parties. Unfortunately, there may come a time when you need to part ways. There are many situations under law by which your own separate property may become the partner's property, through actions you take during the relationship, such as running a business or a household together, or even in the event of a partner passing. This applies even if you do not commit to a civil union or a marriage.

Anticipating problems in advance can make things easier, and can be a caring thing to do for your partner. Whether you are currently entering a new relationship or parting ways, a lawyer can help both parties to establish a fair agreement.

Our firms work with you to:

- structure your business
- draft and review contracts and agreements
- resolve disputes
- oversee commercial takeovers and buy-outs
- design exit plans and much more.

A solid legal foundation to your business helps avoid future headaches and provides a sound operating structure for all involved. Our philosophy is prevention rather than cure. We strongly believe that people are the heart of any business. Everyone brings different assumptions to the table, so it's important to clarify as much as possible in black-and-white to avoid potential conflicts and misunderstandings down the line.

The New Zealand Intellectual Property Office describes intellectual property as a way for people to control and be rewarded for their creative efforts. Artistic, scientific, agricultural and many other forms of endeavours (e.g. new brands) can benefit from investigating their options under local and international IP laws.

Life throws all kinds of challenges at us. Whether because things have taken an unexpected turn, a new life goal has been embarked on, or you simply want to preserve your legacy for your loved ones, a lawyer can be a reassuring, expert navigator through life's winds.

RealLaw firms can guide and advise in a diverse range of situations. You can choose from our complete list of Real Law firms or hone in on areas of interest to you below.

If you have never been to a lawyer, or it has been a while since your last check-up, our Legal Checklist can help you identify key areas that need taking care of. Taking the checklist is done offline in the privacy of your home, and is a handy document to pass on to your lawyer if you wish.