Newsletter - January 2025
As we welcome in the new year (most of us are in the full swing of it already), it's the perfect time to plan ahead and set yourself up for success in the months ahead. The Turner Hopkins team, are kicking off the year with a commitment to keeping you informed, updated, and ready to navigate any legal challenges that may come your way.
In this first article of the year, we’ll share some practical tips to help you protect your interests, make informed decisions, and stay ahead in both your personal and professional life. From property and business law to family matters and estate planning, we’ll provides some useful tips that will help you to navigate some of the challenges a new year can bring. We also welcome two new members of staff to the Turner Hopkins team as well as celebrating the promotion of another.
Last year was all about surviving until 2025 - now that the year is here, lets hope we strive to make it a successful one.
Planning For The Year Ahead
Property Law
Talk to your lawyer – let them know you are planning on selling. Your lawyer will be able to help you check certain legal requirements and make sure you won’t be in breach of any of the standard conditions and warranties on a sale and purchase agreement. They can also provide advice on selecting and engaging a real estate agent
Don’t sign anything until you have talked to your lawyer. Agents’ agreements are binding and can have a lasting effect even if the agent doesn’t find a buyer for you in the initial term of the agency agreement. It doesn’t mean they won’t be entitled to commission if you sell your property privately or through another agent at a later date.
Check out the competition – look at what is selling, how quickly it is selling. Be realistic in your expectations. The market is competitive at the moment with plenty of vendors wanting to sell, particularly in the larger cities
Consider a tidy up and a quick refresh – don’t spend too much on this, a buyer will want to put their own touches on their new home.
Before you decide to list have a plan on what your next steps are. There is no point selling if you don’t know where you are going to move to.
Family Law
Understand Your Rights and Options - Familiarize yourself with the key family law issues in New Zealand, such as divorce, child custody, property division, and protection orders.
Keep Emotions in Check - Family law matters, especially those involving children or property, can be emotionally challenging. Try to maintain a level of professionalism and focus on the facts, as this will help achieve a more favourable outcome. If emotions run high, consider working with a mediator or counsellor who can help guide the process.
Stay Informed - Keep up with any updates or changes in the law that might affect your case. For example, reforms to the Care of Children Act or other legislation may impact custody or access arrangements. Attending workshops or seminars about family law issues can also be helpful.
Review Agreements: Check for agreements due to renew or terminate in the new year and consider whether it might be time to renegotiate.
Know the Costs - Family law proceedings can be costly, so it’s important to understand the financial aspects. Ask for an estimate of the costs upfront and discuss payment plans with your lawyer if necessary. You may be eligible for legal aid if you meet certain financial criteria, so check if this applies to you.
Consult a Family Lawyer - A qualified family lawyer can provide tailored legal advice for your situation Ideally you want to work with someone who specialises in this field and has experience across a range of family law matters (something we do at Turner Hopkins).
Estate Planning
Review: Is your Trust, for those that have one, in tip top working order achieving what is it supposed to achieve?
Are You Up to date: Are your attorneys, for those that have enduring powers of attorney, still happy to fulfil this important role?
Check: For those in their golden years, have you had a recent medical check up?
Protect: Do you need a trust to avoid acrimonious estate claims? Strained family relationships can be better managed with a trust.
Planning Ahead: Is your will in place and fit for purpose, and have you got EPAs in place? The only insurance policy without premiums!
Immigration
Never assume anything, particularly when it comes to your eligibility. Always seek out some professional advice to determine whether you qualify and more specifically the process that will apply to you.
Do the right research. It is very easy and very tempting to rely on advice from other migrants, particularly by doom-scrolling through social media groups, however the advice on these sites is almost always wrong and very rarely relevant to you. Get advice, but get the right advice from someone who knows what they are doing.
Be realistic. This move won’t happen overnight and it takes a lot more planning and effort than a weekend away with the family. There will be some very challenging moments along the way and you have to appreciate that no move is ever perfectly planned or timed.
Stay up to date. Visa rules do change and whilst those changes very rarely knock good quality, skilled applicants off the list, its wise to stay up to date. Make sure you keep abreast of what is going on with the visa process and if you have an adviser, they should be keeping you update as you move along the process.
Staff Updates
The year for the Turner Hopkins team starts off with two new additions, both of whom will be joining us in our litigation practice, as well as a promotion (very well deserved) for one of our existing staff.
Firstly we congratulate Dawn Fullam for her promotion from Senior Solicitor to Senior Associate. Dawn works in our commercial property team and although she has only been with us for just over eight months, she has already made her mark on the firm and our clients.
We wish Dawn all the very best in her new position and look forward to big things to come and a bright future ahead with the firm.
Annezka Joubert joins us this month, as part of our litigation team. Annezka graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication Studies from AUT. Before joining Turner Hopkins, Annezka gained valuable experience at a litigation firm where she has worked on civil litigation, as well as family law matters - including guardianship, parenting, and relationship property.
Outside of work, Annezka has a keen enjoyment for books, exploring the outdoors and she also has a black belt in Judo!
Samantha Davey (Sam) also joins us, working across our private client, commercial and property teams. Sam is currently undertaking her LLB at Waikato University after completing her Legal Executive Diploma and comes to us with 10+ years’ experience in various areas of law, primarily commercial matters, and conveyancing.
After hours, Sam is heavily involved with her daughter and her cheerleading club, having recently been selected to represent New Zealand in USA later this year.
We also have Eva Imrie joining our litigation team. Eva completed her LLB & BSci at Otago University last year, although she spent her final semester on an exchange in Budapest, Hungary.
Eva was a volunteer lifeguard at Sunset Beach, Port Waikato, where she also competed in the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) team races and won at Nationals for the top female IRB team. Eva enjoys getting outdoors, surfing and going for hikes.
If you are considering a move in your legal career and would be interested in joining us, in our fantastic north shore office location, get in touch or keep an eye on our careers page.
By Your Side in 2025
As we settle into the new year, Turner Hopkins is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you're navigating complex legal matters or simply looking for advice to secure your future, our team is dedicated to providing you with the legal knowledge and support you need.
Stay tuned for more insights and updates throughout the year and if you have any questions or need assistance, please get in touch, via phone, email or our contact form.
Wishing you a 2025 filled with abundant happiness and success in the Year of the Snake!
祝您在蛇年幸福满满，事业腾飞，成功丰收！🐍
Until next month!
Turner Hopkins
