Latest fromFamily Court

Two 12-year-olds referred to Youth Aid over tyre-slashing spree
Tyres were stabbed on several vehicles in the Rotorua CBD.

Supreme Court hears case on employment status of family carers
'He just continued to work and they paid for it,' lawyer says of Ministry funding change.

'Soul-destroying': Woman's ordeal after she was banished from family home by ex
The woman was forced to fight her ex in court over the division of relationship property.

Legal limbo: 14yo boy barred from school during custody battle
The boy's mother has asked the court three times to let her son go to school.

How to divorce when you can’t find your spouse
Q: I want a divorce, but I don't know where my husband is.

‘I’m done’: Artist loses battle over copyright in landmark case with her ex
Court rules she retain sole legal ownership, but copyright must be shared with ex-husband.

‘Extreme lengths’: Woman takes revenge on ex-partner’s new wife by revealing OnlyFans content
An ex took screenshots of explicit content and sent them to victim's friends and family.

‘Helpless’ mum told toddler must continue visits with dad after sex abuse claim
The child has twice claimed her father has touched her inappropriately on the visits.

‘Defect of character’: Why a would-be NZ lawyer was denied entry to the profession
Lawyer denied domestic violence history, but made complaints about people who opposed him.

'Need for protection': Teen sportsman banned from competing to protect girl he abused
'She is entitled to be safe and to feel safe from having further contact with [him]'.

Tug-of-love: Court rules on whether kids stay in NZ with dad or move to Spain with mum
The Court of Appeal has taken the siblings' wishes into account in making its decision.

Estranged daughter awarded $372k after being cut from mother's will
The mother updated her will stipulating she was to be left nothing due to her 'behaviour'.

'Sins of his father:' Courts rule if gay man who illegally paid Thai surrogate can adopt son
Judge: 'He has now been born, and as a result, has the right to grow and thrive'.

Judge criticises woman for doctoring bank statements used as evidence
The woman was trying to hide her true financial position during Family Court proceedings.

From riches to rags: Man who banished wife from home ends up with a fraction of their fortune
She left the upmarket family home with little more than a bag of clothes and some cash.

'I birthed my niece and nephew': Auckland surrogate makes sister-in-law a mum
Like the fictional Phoebe in Friends, Rebecca Haworth helped her brother become a dad.

Mother leaves sons out of will sparking battle over $245k estate
Stepfather argued mother had provided for her children while she was alive.

Ex-Files: How do I keep my family name out of the public arena in a parenting dispute?
OPINION: Privacy and suppression rules vary depending on the court situation.

Lawyer decries Oranga Tamariki for children's lack of contact with parents
The children have barely had contact with their parents in six months.

Father fights to transfer te reo Māori-speaking son from kura to mainstream school
Now, a Family Court judge has made the final call on where the boy should go.

Justice Minister open to proposals as court delays impact families
One barrister says the court delays are hurting people.