Separation is hard. Clarity shouldn't be.
However you got here, you now have choices. We will help you understand them clearly, reclaim control of your life, and begin again with purpose and support.
Whether this is a step you’ve been moving towards for some time, or something that’s come suddenly, you’re
now in a transition. That can feel a lot of ways at once. There’s no “right” way to go through this.
We’ve created a free guide to give you calm, practical support as you begin. Take what you need, go at your
own pace. We’ll walk with you from here.
At Clean Break, we believe separation is uncertain enough, your legal costs shouldn’t be.
That’s why we use fixed fees for all of our core service packages. Whether you’re after light-touch support, full legal guidance, or something in between, our DIY, Negotiate, and Priority tiers give you clear options based on the type of service you need — not just how long it takes.
We want you to feel confident in the cost before anything begins — no hourly billing surprises, no hidden extras. In rare cases where fixed fees aren’t possible (usually for highly unpredictable matters), we’ll explain why and give you clear estimates and boundaries for hourly billing.
Our goal is simple: to give you choice and control — at every step of the process.
Different people have different needs
We offer a range of fixed-fee packages so you can choose the level of support that suits your situation and your budget. No guesswork, no hourly clock ticking in the background — just a clear price, agreed upfront.
Pick the package that fits. You’ll always know what you’re paying, what it covers, and when it’s due.
With our packages, you keep control — of the process and the price.
A binding relationship property agreement from $2,990 + GST
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For clients who just want the legal essentials
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Advice on the law and drafting (or reviewing) your agreement
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No negotiation help or strategic guidance
We handle the negotiations from $6,990 + GST
- No frills — just what most people actually need
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Email and meeting support throughout the process
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Legal advice, documentation review, negotiation help through to a binding agreement
We handle it all from $12,990 + GST
- Concierge-level service for your separation journey
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Priority booking and after-hours availability
- Hands-on support to help you comply with your disclosure obligations
Each package includes a defined scope of work and fixed deliverables.
Please note that our packages start from the prices advertised above. Your package may cost more depending on the complexity of your situation — things like asset structures, potential claims and legal risks. After a quick assessment, we’ll let you know which complexity level applies, and what the fixed fee will be for your chosen package. You can then decide if you want to move forward with us or not.
Access your KiwiSaver
Separation can put real pressure on your finances. Legal fees, moving costs, and setting up a new home all add up fast. What many people don’t realise is that KiwiSaver isn’t locked away forever. You may be able to withdraw some or all of it after a separation with a Family Court order.
At Clean Break, we help you understand whether this option is available to you, and how it can support your transition into your new life.
Start your journey
This might feel like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be.
Start the journey by meeting with one of our senior relationship property lawyers. In your 60-minute consult with a specialist lawyer, you’ll get a clear overview of how the separation process works, what your options are, and what matters most in your situation.
You’ll leave with a plan, next steps, and a better sense of control over what’s ahead.
Not able to travel to our office? We are happy to meet you online.
Not quite ready to jump into a consult?
Our free 15-minute call is a gentle way to ask questions, learn how we work, and see if we’re the right fit for you. No pressure — just a supportive conversation to help you get started.
Insights
Free practical advice to help you with your separation.
Trusts and Separation: What Happens When a Relationship Ends?
Trusts are everywhere in New Zealand. They are so common that many people barely think twice about them. Your family home might be owned by a trust. A business you run, a farm, an investment portfolio or even your bach…
Rethinking What “Failure” Really Means in Separation
The Cultural Story of “Forever” We grow up hearing that true love lasts forever. At most weddings, even now, some version of the same promise is made: till death do us part. Against that backdrop, separation can carry a heavy,…
What is Occupational Rent and how does it work?
When a couple separates, a lot of attention is usually paid to their financial position at that point. But separation is rarely the end of the story. There can be months (sometimes years!) between separation and a final settlement, during…
If You’re Feeling Unsafe in Your Relationship
If You’re Feeling Unsafe in Your Relationship Sometimes what begins as tension or conflict slowly shifts into something heavier. You might notice you’re second-guessing yourself. Watching your tone. Explaining where you’ve been. Feeling anxious in your own home. If that sounds familiar, pause for a moment. …
Your Business and Separation: What You Need to Know
When a relationship ends, dividing property is rarely simple. When a business is involved, it can feel even more overwhelming. Many business owners are surprised to learn that company shares, money lent to the business, or increases in business value during the…
The Shiny Trap of Love Bombing
The Whirlwind at the Beginning We all know the early stages of love can feel like a whirlwind—late-night conversations, butterflies at the sound of a text, the thrill of being wanted. But sometimes, that whirlwind becomes something else entirely. There’s…
Eight Tools for When You’re Stressed
When life changes — suddenly or slowly — our minds aren’t the only things affected. Our bodies feel it too. Whether you’re going through a separation, grieving a shift in family life, wrestling with some medical news or trying to…
Getting through a Summer Separation
Holiday Smiles, Hidden Grief The holiday season is painted as joyful: bubbly, carols, family arriving from out of town. But if you are separating, the cheer can feel at odds with the reality of your world falling apart. There is…
Your FREE guide to navigating separation
Separation is one of the most challenging transitions anyone can face. It’s more than paperwork — it’s an emotional journey filled with questions, grief and sometimes conflict. After working with hundreds of clients and reflecting on our own experiences, we…
What a Divorce Lawyer Knows About Lasting Love
When I became a relationship property (aka Divorce) lawyer, my biggest fear was that I’d become jaded about love. Surrounded by broken hearts and high-stakes separations, I wondered if one day I’d turn into someone muttering, “relationships are doomed” at…
When “Fair” Isn’t 50/50: Economic Disparity Claims in NZ
When couples who met early in life separate in New Zealand, the starting point is usually simple: everything is split 50/50. That’s what the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 presumes — an equal division of relationship property. And in many cases,…
Can we DIY our Separation?
Can we DIY our Relationship Property Division? When a marriage or relationship ends, one of the biggest questions is: what happens to the property we shared? If things are amicable, you might wonder whether you and your ex can simply…
In Love? Great. Now Let’s Talk About Your House
You’ve met someone. It’s early days, but the toothbrush has migrated, the spare key has been copied, and now there’s talk of “maybe I’ll just bring a few things over.” You’re splitting meals, making weekend plans and your Spotify algorithm…
What Happens When You Separate?
What happens when you separate (or divorce) in New Zealand? Separation is one of life’s biggest curveballs. Alongside the emotions, there’s a long list of “what now?” questions about property, money, kids, and even the paperwork of ending a marriage…
Collaborative Law: A Better Way Through Separation and Divorce
Collaborative law (sometimes called collaborative practice) offers a different way forward when you’re facing a separation or divorce. Instead of a combative, stressful, and expensive legal process — especially around dividing relationship property — collaborative law focuses on problem-solving, respect,…
Building a Strong Relationship with Yourself
We’re taught how to navigate relationships with other people. But no one teaches us how to be in a relationship with ourselves. Who are you when the roles shift? When the relationship ends, the job changes, the kids grow up?…
Grief After Separation
Most people think grief only happens when someone dies. But if you’ve ever gone through a breakup, lost a job, watched a friendship fade, or had to start over, you’ve probably met grief too. It just didn’t show up wearing…
Boundaries in Separation: Why Saying “No” Can Be Your Most Loving Act
Do you find yourself saying “yes” when every part of you wants to say “no”? You’re not alone. Setting boundaries is hard, especially during a separation. At Clean Break, many of our clients come to us emotionally and physically drained…
Frequently Used Words in Separation Explained
When you’re going through a separation, it can sometimes feel like lawyers are speaking a completely different language. Words like “chattels,” “disclosure,” or “economic disparity” might pop up and suddenly the conversation feels overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this simple…
Do You Owe Your Ex for Student Loan Payments?
Do you, or have you ever had, a student loan? Has your ex? If your answer is yes, you should talk to your relationship property lawyer about it. We explain why below. Under New Zealand’s Property (Relationships) Act 1976, relationship…
How to Stay Close to Your Older Children After a Separation
Your children will be affected by your separation, whether they are 13 or 35. Family estrangements can sometimes occur after a separation when separating parents behave badly. This isn’t rocket science but we encourage you to make this as easy…
Are You Still in a Relationship with Your Ex?
While some relationships end with a bang, others slowly cool off over time. The tricky part is that determining your separation date isn’t always straightforward and it has very real legal consequences. Your lawyer doesn’t care why you and your…
Clean Break or Messy Split? Your Divorce and Separation FAQs Answered
We answer some of the most frequently asked questions about relationship property and separations, and provide practical advice and insights to help you make decisions. Achieve a Clean Break with confidence.
Our Guarantee
You can be confident in your choice with our 30-day money back guarantee. If you aren’t happy in your first 30 days, tell us why. If we can’t fix it and you need to fire us, (provided we haven’t already signed your agreement) we will refund you everything you have paid. We will also point you in the direction of another good lawyer who might be a better match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because we know this is already a stressful time — and worrying about a rising legal bill shouldn’t be part of it.
Our fixed fees give you certainty. You’ll know what the service includes, how much it will cost, and what to expect — right from the start. No surprise invoices, no fear about how long each conversation is taking. It increases the trust you have in us, which enables us to do an even better job for you.
We do a lot of this work. We’ve seen hundreds of different separation scenarios, which means we’re able to scope cases with confidence. That lets us offer fixed fees that are fair to you and sustainable for us. That’s why we can offer fixed fees where many firms can’t.
In some cases — especially when things are unpredictable or unfolding in real time — we may need to use an hourly rate. But even then, we’ll give you clear estimates, explain what’s involved, and keep you in the loop as we go.
We believe good legal support should be clear, respectful, and cost-transparent — every step of the way.
We monitor complexity as your case progresses. If new issues arise — like a trust that wasn’t disclosed, or the other party stops engaging — we’ll talk with you about whether your package still fits. If needed, we’ll adjust the scope or suggest a shift to our hourly model — with your agreement, and always with cost transparency.
Yes — the fixed fee covers the full scope of work we’ve committed to, not just the time involved. Much of the value happens early: advising you on your rights, setting your strategy, drafting key documents, and managing legal risk so you’re protected no matter how things play out. If your matter settles quickly, that’s often a sign the upfront work was done well — not that less work was done overall.
That said, if your matter is clearly very simple, we may recommend a lighter service tier at a lower cost.
We don’t offer Legal Aid at Clean Break, as we’re a private, fixed-fee law firm.
However, if you think you might qualify for Legal Aid, you can check the government’s guidelines and find a provider who does offer it:
If Legal Aid isn’t available to you, we do offer flexible, fixed-fee packages, including more affordable options for straightforward matters. We’re happy to help you explore what might fit best.
We’re also a JustFund provider. JustFund offer access to flexible funding solutions for family law legal fees. If covering upfront legal costs feels out of reach, JustFund might help make it possible. Learn more at JustFund.co.nz