Property (Relationships) Act 1976

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Version as at 28 October 2021

Property (Relationships) Act 1976

Public Act		1976 No 166
Date of assent		14 December 1976
Commencement		see section 1(2)

Act name: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 5(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Note

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.

	Title [Repealed]
1	Short Title and commencement
	Part 1 Outline of this Act
1A	Purpose of this Part
1B	Status of this Part
1C	What this Act is about
1D	How this Act is arranged
1E	Part 2 (Preliminary provisions)
1F	Part 3 (Application of this Act)
1G	Part 4 (Division of relationship property)
1H	Part 5 (Relationship property and creditors)
1I	Part 6 (Contracting out)
1J	Part 7 (Proceedings under this Act)
1K	Part 8 (Division of property where one spouse or partner dies)
1L	Part 9 (Transitional provisions and savings)
	Part 2 Preliminary provisions
	Purpose and principles
1M	Purpose of this Act
1N	Principles
	Interpretation
2	Interpretation
2A	Meaning of marriage
2AB	Meaning of civil union
2B	Marriage includes immediately preceding de facto relationship
2BAA	Civil union includes immediately preceding de facto relationship
2BA	Immediately preceding marriage or civil union
2C	Meaning of de facto partner
2D	Meaning of de facto relationship
2E	Meaning of relationship of short duration
	Dates at which shares and values determined
2F	Date at which shares to be determined
2G	Date at which value of property to be determined
	Determination of use to which property put
2H	Determination of use to which property put
	Application
3	Act to bind Crown
4	Act a code
4A	Other enactments to be read subject to this Act
4B	Law relating to trustees preserved
4C	Application to existing and future de facto relationships
4D	Application to de facto relationships that end on separation or death
5	Act to apply only during joint lifetime of spouses [Repealed]
6	Maori land not affected
7	Application to movable or immovable property
7A	Application where spouses or partners agree
	Nature of relationship property and separate property
8	Relationship property defined
9	Separate property defined
9A	When separate property becomes relationship property
10	Property acquired by succession or by survivorship or as a beneficiary under a trust or by gift
	Part 3 Application of this Act
10A	Application of Act to division of relationship property where both spouses or partners alive
10B	Application of Act to division of relationship property on death of spouse or partner
10C	Application of Act in other circumstances
10D	Proceedings
	Part 4 Division of relationship property
	Division of relationship property: general
11	Division of relationship property
11A	Where family home sold
11B	Compensation for absence of interest in family home
	Homesteads
12	Homesteads
12A	Valuation of homestead
	Exception to equal sharing
13	Exception to equal sharing
	Relationships of short duration
14	Marriages of short duration
14AA	Civil unions of short duration
14A	De facto relationships of short duration
	Court may make orders to redress economic disparities
15	Court may award lump sum payments or order transfer of property
15A	Orders where spouse or partner has contributed to increase in value of separate property
	Other provisions relating to division of relationship property
16	Adjustment when each spouse or partner owned home at date relationship began
17	Sustenance of separate property
17A	Diminution of separate property
18	Contributions of spouses or partners
18A	Effect of misconduct of spouses or partners
18B	Compensation for contributions made after separation
18C	Compensation for dissipation of relationship property after separation
	Part 5 Relationship property and creditors
19	Effect of Act while property is undivided
20	Interpretation
20A	Rights of creditors preserved
20B	Protected interest in family home
20C	Payment of protected interest on bankruptcy of other spouse or partner
20D	Calculation of net value of relationship property
20E	Compensation for satisfaction of personal debts
20F	Application of Joint Family Homes Act 1964
	Part 6 Contracting out
	When persons can contract out
21	Spouses or partners may contract out of this Act
21A	Spouses or partners may settle differences by agreement
21B	Surviving spouse or partner and personal representative may agree on division of property
21C	Court may be asked to approve agreement between surviving spouse or partner and personal representative
	Subject matter of agreement
21D	Subject matter of agreement
	Model forms of agreement
21E	Regulations prescribing model forms of agreement
	Procedural requirements
21F	Agreement void unless complies with certain requirements
21G	Other grounds of invalidity not affected
21H	Court may give effect to agreement in certain circumstances
	Agreements by minors
21I	Agreements entered into by minors
	Court may set agreement aside
21J	Court may set agreement aside if would cause serious injustice
	Miscellaneous provisions
21K	Agreements made for valuable consideration
21L	Enforcement of agreements
21M	Consequences of invalidity of agreement
21N	Other powers and capacities not affected
21O	Application of Act to relationship property not subject to agreement
	Agreements made before 1 August 2001
21P	Agreements made before 1 August 2001 between de facto partners
21Q	Agreements made before 1 August 2001 between spouses relating to division of property on death
21R	Agreements to have effect as if Act not passed
21S	Agreements made under previous section 21 before 1 August 2001
	Agreements made between 1 August 2001 and 31 January 2002, where marriage or de facto relationship ends before 1 February 2002
21T	Agreements made under this Part before 1 February 2002, where marriage or de facto relationship ends before that date
	Part 7 Proceedings under this Act
	General
22	Jurisdiction
23	Who can apply
24	Time limits for making applications
25	When court may make orders
	Orders for benefit of children of marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship
26	Orders for benefit of children of marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship
	Postponement of sharing
26A	Postponement of sharing
	Occupation orders, tenancy orders, and furniture orders
27	Occupation orders
28	Orders with respect to tenancy
28A	Factors affecting occupation orders and orders with respect to tenancy
28B	Ancillary furniture order
28C	Furniture required to equip another household
28D	Effect of furniture orders
28E	Family Violence Act 2018 does not limit or affect powers to make orders
	Hire purchase agreements
29	Orders when property subject to hire purchase agreement
	Insurance policies
30	Orders in relation to insurance policies
	Superannuation scheme entitlements
31	Orders in relation to superannuation rights
	Orders relating to maintenance and child support
32	Orders relating to maintenance and child support
	Ancillary powers
33	Ancillary powers of court
34	Discretion of court as to orders
	Miscellaneous provisions
35	Attendance at hearings
35A	Publication of reports of proceedings
36	Evidence [Repealed]
37	Persons entitled to be heard
37A	Court may appoint lawyer for children
38	Inquiries, and settlement of schemes
	Transfer of proceedings
38A	Transfer of proceedings to High Court
	Appeals
39	Right of appeal to High Court
39A	Procedure on appeal to High Court [Repealed]
39B	Appeals to Court of Appeal
	Costs
40	Costs
	Registration of orders
41	Registration of orders
	Protection of spouses’ or partners’ rights
42	Notice of interest against title
43	Dispositions may be restrained
44	Dispositions may be set aside
	Orders relating to trusts
44A	Application of sections 44B and 44C
44B	Court may require party to disclose information about dispositions of property to trust
44C	Compensation for property disposed of to trust
	Orders relating to companies
44D	Definition of qualifying company
44E	Court may require party to disclose information about dispositions of property to qualifying company
44F	Compensation for property disposed of to qualifying company
	Family chattels not to be disposed of while proceedings pending
45	Family chattels not to be disposed of
	Protection of creditors
46	Protection of mortgagee
47	Agreements to defeat creditors void
	Further miscellaneous provisions
48	Incidence of orders against personal representative of spouse [Repealed]
49	Legal capacity of married women
50	No restraints upon anticipation
51	Proceedings in tort
52	Minors may apply without guardian ad litem
52A	Priority of claims where marriage or civil union and de facto relationship
52B	Priority of claims where 2 de facto relationships
53	Rules of court and regulations
53A	Power to prescribe specified sum
54	Exemption from stamp duty [Repealed]
	Part 8 Division of property where one spouse or partner dies
	Application of this Part
55	Application of this Part
56	Application to existing and future wills
57	Application under Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 or Family Protection Act 1955 not precluded
	Death of spouse or partner
	Insolvent deceased spouse or partner
58	Rights of creditors preserved
59	Payment of protected interest where estate insolvent
	Proceedings commenced while both spouses or partners alive
60	Incidence of orders against personal representative of spouse or partner
	Surviving spouse or partner may choose between division under this Act and taking under will or intestacy
61	Surviving spouse or partner may choose option
62	Time limit for making choice
63	Surviving spouse or partner may not commence proceedings before making election
64	Position of surviving spouse or civil union partner if separation order made or marriage or civil union dissolved
65	How choice to be made
66	Choice of option to be notified to certain persons
67	Choice irrevocable
68	Effect of failure to make choice
69	Chosen option may be set aside
70	Choice may not be set aside if estate finally distributed
	Distribution of estates
71	Distribution of estate before choice made
72	Distribution of estate after choice made but before proceedings commenced
73	Distribution of estate while proceedings pending
74	Distribution of estate not to be disturbed
	Effect of choice of division under this Act (option A)
75	Effect on application of Act of choice of division under this Act
76	Effect on will or intestacy of choice of division under this Act
77	Court may permit surviving spouse or partner to take under will or on intestacy
78	Priority of entitlement of surviving spouse or partner
	Sections modifying or affecting earlier sections in proceedings commenced after death of spouse or partner
79	Date at which shares determined
80	Classification of property
81	Presumption that property of deceased spouse or partner is relationship property
82	Presumption that property acquired by estate of deceased spouse or partner is relationship property
83	Relationship property defined
84	Separate property defined
85	Marriages, civil unions, and de facto relationships of short duration
86	Compensation for actions after separation or death
87	Surviving spouse or partner may challenge agreement
88	Who can apply
89	Time for commencement of proceedings
90	Time limits for commencing proceedings
91	Qualifications on application of sections 25 to 34 and 43 to 44F
92	Persons entitled to be heard
93	Appeals
94	Incidence of orders against personal representative of spouse or partner
	Effect of choice of will or intestacy (option B)
95	Effect on application of Act of choice of will or intestacy
	Part 9 Transitional provisions and savings
	Transitional provisions
96	Transitional provisions applying on and from 1 February 1977
97	Transitional provisions applying on and from 1 February 2002
97A	Transitional provisions applying in respect of section 2BAA
	Savings
98	Savings applying on and from 1 February 1977
99	Savings applying on and from 1 February 2002
	Schedule 1 Notice of claim of interest under Matrimonial Property Act [Repealed]
	Schedule 2 Consequential amendments [Repealed]
	Schedule 3 Enactments repealed [Repealed]
	Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2013
	Notes

Title [Repealed]

Title: repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

1 Short Title and commencement

(1)

This Act may be cited as the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.

(2)

This Act shall come into force on 1 February 1977.

Section 1(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 5(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Part 1 Outline of this Act

Part 1: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

1A Purpose of this Part

This Part is intended—

(a)

to give a general indication of what this Act is about:

(b)

to indicate how this Act is arranged:

(c)

to assist readers to identify the provisions that are relevant to them.

Section 1A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

1B Status of this Part

This Part is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of this Act.

Section 1B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

1C What this Act is about

(1)

This Act is mainly about how the property of married couples and civil union couples and couples who have lived in a de facto relationship is to be divided up when they separate or one of them dies.

(2)

This Act applies differently depending on the length of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship:

(a)

in the case of marriages and civil unions, special rules apply to marriages and civil unions of less than 3 years:

(b)

in the case of de facto relationships, this Act usually applies only when the de facto partners have lived together for at least 3 years, but it may apply to shorter de facto relationships in certain circumstances.

(3)

In general, the couple’s property is to be divided equally between the couple.

Section 1C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1C(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1C(2): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 1C(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1D How this Act is arranged

(1)

This Act is arranged in Parts, as follows:

(a)

Part 1—Outline of this Act:

(b)

Part 2—Preliminary provisions:

(c)

Part 3—Application of this Act:

(d)

Part 4—Division of relationship property:

(e)

Part 5—Relationship property and creditors:

(f)

Part 6—Contracting out:

(g)

Part 7—Proceedings under this Act:

(h)

Part 8—Division of property where one spouse or partner dies:

(i)

Part 9—Transitional provisions and savings.

(2)

Sections 1E to 1L summarise what each Part (other than this Part) contains.

Section 1D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1D(1)(h): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1E Part 2 (Preliminary provisions)

Part 2 contains provisions dealing with interpretation and with the application of this Act. Among other things, it—

(a)

sets out what various terms used in this Act mean:

(b)

provides that this Act does not apply to Maori land:

(c)

sets out how this Act applies to property located in New Zealand or overseas.

Section 1E: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

1F Part 3 (Application of this Act)

(1)

Part 3 identifies—

(a)

which provisions of this Act apply with respect to the division of relationship property while both spouses or partners are alive; and

(b)

which provisions of this Act apply with respect to the division of relationship property when one spouse or partner dies.

(2)

Part 3 also—

(a)

sets out how this Act applies in various other circumstances (such as when one of the spouses or partners is declared bankrupt):

(b)

sets out what happens if proceedings are commenced while both spouses or partners are alive, and one or both of them die before the proceedings are completed.

Section 1F: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1F(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1F(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1F(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1F(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1G Part 4 (Division of relationship property)

Part 4 sets out how the property of spouses, civil union partners, and de facto partners is to be divided when they separate and cannot agree on the matter. It deals with matters like—

(a)

on what basis is the relationship property to be divided?

(b)

what happens if the spouses or partners have been living together for less than 3 years?

(c)

can the court do anything to redress any disparities between the income and living standards of the spouses or partners after the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends?

(d)

how are the different contributions of the spouses to the marriage, or of the partners to the civil union, or of the de facto partners to the de facto relationship, assessed?

Section 1G: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1G: amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 1G(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1G(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1G(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1G(d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1H Part 5 (Relationship property and creditors)

Part 5 sets out how this Act affects the secured and unsecured creditors of the spouses or partners. It deals with matters like—

(a)

what rights do secured and unsecured creditors have against the spouses or partners, and against property owned by the spouses or partners?

(b)

to what extent is the share of one spouse or partner reduced by the fact that the other spouse or partner has unsecured personal debts?

Section 1H: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1H: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1H(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1H(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1I Part 6 (Contracting out)

Part 6 deals with the rights of spouses or partners to decide themselves how their property is to be divided. It deals with matters like—

(a)

does a property agreement between the spouses or partners have to be in writing?

(b)

do the spouses or partners need legal advice about entering into a property agreement?

(c)

can a court overrule a property agreement?

Section 1I: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1I: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1I(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1I(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1J Part 7 (Proceedings under this Act)

(1)

Part 7—

(a)

deals with the various powers that a court can exercise in deciding how property is to be divided between spouses or partners; and

(b)

sets out the procedures that apply to court proceedings under this Act; and

(c)

deals with some general issues.

(2)

Part 7 deals with matters like—

(a)

what court do applications have to be made to?

(b)

who can apply for a court order dividing a couple’s property?

(c)

is there any time limit on applying for a court order?

(d)

can a court order be obtained stopping a person from disposing of property?

(e)

what happens if the spouses or partners attempt to defeat their creditors by disposing of property?

Section 1J: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1J(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1J(2)(e): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1K Part 8 (Division of property where one spouse or partner dies)

Part 8 sets out how the property of spouses, civil union partners, or de facto partners is to be divided when one of them dies. It deals with matters like—

(a)

what if the deceased spouse or partner has left a will?

(b)

can the estate of the deceased spouse or partner make a claim against the spouse or partner who is still alive?

(c)

what is the effect on rights under other legislation that relates to claims to a deceased person’s property (such as the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 and the Family Protection Act 1955)?

Section 1K: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1K heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1K: amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 1K: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1K(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1K(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1L Part 9 (Transitional provisions and savings)

Part 9 contains—

(a)

transitional provisions, dealing with matters like—

(i)

how this Act applies to marriages that took place before it came into force; and

(ii)

the effect of this Act on proceedings commenced under legislation in force before this Act came into force; and

(b)

savings provisions, dealing with matters such as the effect of this Act on matrimonial settlements made before this Act came into force.

Section 1L: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Part 2 Preliminary provisions

Part 2 heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Purpose and principles

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

1M Purpose of this Act

The purpose of this Act is—

(a)

to reform the law relating to the property of married couples and civil union couples, and of couples who live together in a de facto relationship:

(b)

to recognise the equal contribution of both spouses to the marriage partnership, of civil union partners to the civil union, and of de facto partners to the de facto relationship partnership:

(c)

to provide for a just division of the relationship property between the spouses or partners when their relationship ends by separation or death, and in certain other circumstances, while taking account of the interests of any children of the marriage or children of the civil union or children of the de facto relationship.

Section 1M: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1M(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1M(b): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 1M(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1M(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1M(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

1N Principles

The following principles are to guide the achievement of the purpose of this Act:

(a)

the principle that men and women have equal status, and their equality should be maintained and enhanced:

(b)

the principle that all forms of contribution to the marriage partnership, civil union, or the de facto relationship partnership, are treated as equal:

(c)

the principle that a just division of relationship property has regard to the economic advantages or disadvantages to the spouses or partners arising from their marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship or from the ending of their marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship:

(d)

the principle that questions arising under this Act about relationship property should be resolved as inexpensively, simply, and speedily as is consistent with justice.

Section 1N: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 1N(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1N(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 1N(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Interpretation

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

2 Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

administration has the meaning given to it by section 2 of the Administration Act 1969

child of the civil union—

(a)

means any child of both civil union partners; and

(b)

includes any other child (whether or not a child of either civil union partner) who was a member of the family of the civil union partners—

(i)

at the time when they ceased to live together; or

(ii)

at the time immediately before an application under this Act, if at that time they had not ceased to live together; or

(iii)

at the date of the death of one of the civil union partners

child of the de facto relationship—

(a)

means any child of both de facto partners; and

(b)

includes any other child (whether or not a child of either de facto partner) who was a member of the family of the de facto partners—

(i)

at the time when they ceased to live together; or

(ii)

at the time immediately before an application under this Act, if at that time they had not ceased to live together; or

(iii)

at the date of the death of one of the de facto partners

child of the marriage—

(a)

means any child of both spouses; and

(b)

includes any other child (whether or not a child of either spouse) who was a member of the family of the spouses—

(i)

at the time when they ceased to live together; or

(ii)

at the time immediately before an application under this Act, if at that time they had not ceased to live together; or

(iii)

at the date of the death of one of the spouses; and

(c)

if the marriage was immediately preceded by a de facto relationship or civil union between the spouses, includes any child of the de facto relationship or civil union

Commonwealth country—

(a)

means a country that is an independent sovereign member of the Commonwealth; and

(b)

includes every territory for whose international relations the Government of such a country is responsible; and

(c)

also includes the Republic of Ireland as if it were an independent sovereign member of the Commonwealth

contribution has the meaning given to it by section 18

court means—

(a)

the Family Court; or

(b)

if another court has jurisdiction in the proceedings, that court

de facto partner has the meaning given to it by section 2C; and includes a former de facto partner

de facto relationship has the meaning given to it by section 2D

distribution, in relation to an estate, has the meaning given to it by section 46 of the Administration Act 1969

dwellinghouse includes a flat or town house, whether or not occupied under a licence to occupy within the meaning of section 122 of the Land Transfer Act 2017

family chattels—

(a)

means chattels of the following kind that either or both of the spouses or partners own:

(i)

household furniture:

(ii)

household appliances, effects, or equipment:

(iii)

articles of household or family use or amenity or of household ornament, including tools, garden effects and equipment:

(iv)

motor vehicles, caravans, trailers, or boats, used wholly or principally, in each case, for family purposes:

(v)

accessories of a chattel to which subparagraph (iv) applies:

(vi)

household pets; and

(b)

includes any of the chattels mentioned in paragraph (a) that are in the possession of either or both spouses or partners under a hire purchase or conditional sale agreement or an agreement for lease or hire; but

(c)

does not include—

(i)

chattels used wholly or principally for business purposes:

(ii)

money or securities for money:

(iii)

heirlooms:

(iv)

taonga

family home—

(a)

means the dwellinghouse that either or both of the spouses or partners use habitually or from time to time as the only or principal family residence, together with any land, buildings, or improvements appurtenant to that dwellinghouse and used wholly or principally for the purposes of the household; and

(b)

includes a joint family home

homestead—

(a)

means a family home where the dwellinghouse that comprises the family residence is situated on an unsubdivided part of land that is not used wholly or principally for the purposes of the household; but

(b)

does not include a family home that is occupied—

(i)

pursuant to a licence to occupy within the meaning of section 122 of the Land Transfer Act 2017; or

(ii)

because of the ownership of a specified share of any estate or interest in the land on which the dwellinghouse that comprises the family residence is situated and by reason of reciprocal agreements with the owners of the other shares; or

(iii)

in the case of a flat or town house that is part of a block of flats or town houses or is one of a number of flats or town houses situated on the same piece of land, under a lease or other arrangement that entitles the occupants of the flat or town house to exclusive possession of it

joint family home means land settled as a joint family home under the Joint Family Homes Act 1964

lawyer,—

(a)

other than in Part 6 and section 65, means a lawyer (as defined in section 6 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006):

(b)

in Part 6 and section 65,—

(i)

in the case of a document signed in New Zealand, means a lawyer (as defined in section 6 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006):

(ii)

in the case of a document signed in a Commonwealth country outside New Zealand, means a lawyer (as defined in section 6 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006), or a solicitor entitled to practise in that country, or a notary public:

(iii)

in the case of a document signed in a country that is not a Commonwealth country, means a lawyer (as defined in section 6 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006), or a notary public

life insurance policy—

(a)

means a policy of assurance taken out by one spouse or partner (party A) on his or her own life or the life of his or her spouse or partner (party B), regardless of whether—

(i)

the policy is for the benefit of party A or party B:

(ii)

the proceeds are payable on the death of the assured or on the occurrence of a specified event or otherwise; and

(b)

includes the proceeds of such a policy of assurance payable to a surviving spouse or partner or to the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner; but

(c)

does not include either of the following kinds of policy, or the proceeds of a policy of either of those kinds:

(i)

a policy that was fully paid up at the time the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began:

(ii)

a policy where a third person is beneficially entitled to the proceeds of the policy

marriage has the meaning given to it by section 2A

option A and option B mean the options set out in section 61

owner, in respect of any property, means the person who, apart from this Act, is the beneficial owner of the property under any enactment or rule of common law or equity

partner, in the phrase “spouse or partner” and in related contexts, means a civil union partner or a de facto partner

personal debt has the meaning given to it by section 20

proceedings means proceedings under this Act, except in sections 51, 96, and 97(3)

property includes—

(a)

real property:

(b)

personal property:

(c)

any estate or interest in any real property or personal property:

(d)

any debt or any thing in action:

(e)

any other right or interest

protected interest has the meaning given to it by section 20B

Registrar means a Registrar of the court; and includes a Deputy Registrar of the court

relationship debt has the meaning given to it by section 20

relationship of short duration has the meaning given to it by section 2E

relationship property has the meaning given to it by section 8

separate property has the meaning given to it by section 9

small estate means an estate of a deceased person that can lawfully be distributed without the need for administration of the estate to be obtained

superannuation scheme entitlement—

(a)

means any pension, benefit, or right to which either spouse or partner is entitled or may become entitled under any superannuation scheme, if the entitlement is derived, wholly or in part, from contributions made to the scheme after the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began or from employment or office held since the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began; and

(b)

if Part 8 applies, includes any such entitlement payable to a surviving spouse or partner on the death of the deceased spouse or partner

voluntary agreement means a written agreement—

(a)

made between spouses or partners who are parties to proceedings; and

(b)

providing for one spouse or partner to pay sums of money to the other spouse or partner for the maintenance of—

(i)

the other spouse or partner:

(ii)

a child of the marriage or child of the civil union or child of the de facto relationship.

Section 2: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2 child of the civil union: inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 child of the marriage paragraph (c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 court paragraph (a): replaced, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 2 dwellinghouse: amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 2 family chattels paragraph (a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 family chattels paragraph (b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 family home paragraph (a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 homestead paragraph (b)(i): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 2 lawyer: replaced, on 1 August 2008, by section 348 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (2006 No 1).

Section 2 life insurance policy paragraph (a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 life insurance policy paragraph (b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 life insurance policy paragraph (c)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 partner: inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 superannuation scheme entitlement paragraph (a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 superannuation scheme entitlement paragraph (a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 superannuation scheme entitlement paragraph (b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2 voluntary agreement: replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

2A Meaning of marriage

(1)

In this Act, marriage includes a marriage that—

(a)

is void; or

(b)

is ended while both spouses are alive by a legal process that occurs within or outside New Zealand; or

(c)

is ended by the death of one of the spouses, whether within or outside New Zealand;—

and husband, spouse, and wife each has a corresponding meaning.

(2)

For the purposes of this Act, the marriage of 2 people ends if—

(a)

they cease to live together as a married couple; or

(b)

their marriage is dissolved; or

(c)

one of them dies.

Section 2A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2A(2): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 2A(2)(a): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

2AB Meaning of civil union

(1)

In this Act, civil union includes a civil union that—

(a)

is void; or

(b)

is ended while both civil union partners are alive by a legal process that occurs within New Zealand; or

(c)

is ended by the death of one of the civil union partners, whether within or outside New Zealand.

(2)

For the purposes of this Act, the civil union of 2 civil union partners ends if—

(a)

they cease to live together as civil union partners; or

(b)

their civil union is dissolved; or

(c)

one of them dies.

Section 2AB: inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

2B Marriage includes immediately preceding de facto relationship

For the purposes of this Act, if a marriage was immediately preceded by a de facto relationship between the 2 spouses (A and B), the de facto relationship must be treated as if it were part of the marriage.

Example of marriage including immediately preceding de facto relationship—

If the de facto relationship of A and B lasts 2 years, and their marriage lasts 2 years, their marriage must be treated as if it—

(a)

began 4 years ago; and

(b)

lasted 4 years.

Section 2B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2B: amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

2BAA Civil union includes immediately preceding de facto relationship

For the purposes of this Act, if a civil union was immediately preceded by a de facto relationship between the 2 civil union partners (A and B), the de facto relationship must be treated as if it were part of the civil union.

Example of civil union including immediately preceding de facto relationship

If the de facto relationship of A and B lasts 1 year, and their civil union lasts 2 years, the civil union must be treated as if it—

(a)

began 3 years ago; and

(b)

lasted 3 years.

Section 2BAA: inserted, on 18 May 2009, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 83).

2BA Immediately preceding marriage or civil union

For the purposes of this Act,—

(a)

if a marriage was immediately preceded by a civil union between the spouses, the civil union must be treated as if it were part of the marriage; and

(b)

if a civil union was immediately preceded by a marriage between the civil union partners, the marriage must be treated as if it were part of the civil union.

Section 2BA: inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2BA(a): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

2C Meaning of de facto partner

For the purposes of this Act, a person is another person’s de facto partner if they have a de facto relationship with each other.

Section 2C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

2D Meaning of de facto relationship

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, a de facto relationship is a relationship between 2 persons (regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity)—

(a)

who are both aged 18 years or older; and

(b)

who live together as a couple; and

(c)

who are not married to, or in a civil union with, one another.

(2)

In determining whether 2 persons live together as a couple, all the circumstances of the relationship are to be taken into account, including any of the following matters that are relevant in a particular case:

(a)

the duration of the relationship:

(b)

the nature and extent of common residence:

(c)

whether or not a sexual relationship exists:

(d)

the degree of financial dependence or interdependence, and any arrangements for financial support, between the parties:

(e)

the ownership, use, and acquisition of property:

(f)

the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life:

(g)

the care and support of children:

(h)

the performance of household duties:

(i)

the reputation and public aspects of the relationship.

(3)

In determining whether 2 persons live together as a couple,—

(a)

no finding in respect of any of the matters stated in subsection (2), or in respect of any combination of them, is to be regarded as necessary; and

(b)

a court is entitled to have regard to such matters, and to attach such weight to any matter, as may seem appropriate to the court in the circumstances of the case.

(4)

For the purposes of this Act, a de facto relationship ends if—

(a)

the de facto partners cease to live together as a couple; or

(b)

one of the de facto partners dies.

Compare: Property (Relationships) Act 1984 s 4(1)–(3) (NSW)

Section 2D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2D(1): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 2D(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

2E Meaning of relationship of short duration

(1)

In this Act, relationship of short duration means,—

(a)

in relation to a marriage or civil union, a marriage or civil union in which the spouses or partners have lived together in the marriage or civil union—

(i)

for a period of less than 3 years; or

(ii)

for a period of 3 years or longer, if the court, having regard to all the circumstances of the marriage or civil union, considers it just to treat the marriage or civil union as a relationship of short duration:

(ab)

[Repealed]

(b)

in relation to a de facto relationship, a de facto relationship in which the de facto partners have lived together as de facto partners—

(i)

for a period of less than 3 years; or

(ii)

for a period of 3 years or longer, if the court, having regard to all the circumstances of the de facto relationship, considers it just to treat the de facto relationship as a relationship of short duration.

(2)

For the purposes of paragraphs (a)(i) and (b)(i) of subsection (1), in computing the period for which the parties have lived together as a married couple, civil union partners, or as de facto partners, the court may exclude a period of resumed cohabitation that has the motive of reconciliation and is no longer than 3 months.

Section 2E: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2E(1)(a): replaced, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 2E(1)(ab): repealed, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 2E(2): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 2E(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Dates at which shares and values determined

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

2F Date at which shares to be determined

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, the share of a spouse or partner in the relationship property is to be determined as at the following date:

(a)

if the spouses’ marriage, the civil union partners’ civil union, or the de facto partners’ de facto relationship has not ended, the date of the application to the court:

(b)

if the spouses’ marriage, the civil union partners’ civil union, or the de facto partners’ de facto relationship has ended (other than by the death of one of the spouses or partners), the date on which their marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ended.

(2)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 79.

(3)

This section is subject to Part 6.

Section 2F: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2F(1): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2F(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

2G Date at which value of property to be determined

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, the value of any property to which an application under this Act relates is to be determined as at the date of the hearing of that application by the court of first instance.

(2)

However, the court of first instance or, on an appeal the High Court, Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court may, in its discretion, decide that the value of the property is to be determined as at another date.

(3)

This section is subject to Part 6.

Section 2G: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2G(2): amended, on 1 January 2004, by section 48(1) of the Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53).

Determination of use to which property put

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

2H Determination of use to which property put

(1)

This section applies where the classification of any property as relationship property or as any particular type of relationship property depends on the use to which it has been put.

(2)

Where this section applies, that classification is to be determined—

(a)

by the use to which it was put by the spouses or partners; or

(b)

if the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship has ended (other than by the death of one of the spouses or partners), by the use to which it was being put before the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ended.

(3)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 80.

Section 2H: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 2H(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2H(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2H(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 2H(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Application

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 8 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

3 Act to bind Crown

This Act shall bind the Crown.

4 Act a code

(1)

This Act applies instead of the rules and presumptions of the common law and of equity to the extent that they apply—

(a)

to transactions between spouses or partners in respect of property; and

(b)

in cases for which this Act provides, to transactions—

(i)

between both spouses or partners and third persons; and

(ii)

between either spouse or partner and third persons.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply where this Act expressly provides to the contrary (such as in subsection (5)).

(3)

Without limiting the generality of subsection (1),—

(a)

the presumption of advancement does not apply between husband and wife:

(b)

the presumption of resulting trust does not apply between spouses, civil union partners, or de facto partners:

(c)

the presumption that the use of a wife’s income by her husband with her consent during the marriage is a gift does not apply between husband and wife.

(4)

Where, in proceedings that are not proceedings under this Act, any question relating to relationship property arises between spouses or partners, or between either or both of them and any other person, the question must be decided as if it had been raised in proceedings under this Act.

(5)

This section does not apply if the de facto partners have lived in a de facto relationship for less than 3 years.

(6)

However, if the court makes an order under section 25(1)(a) in respect of any relationship property of de facto partners to whom subsection (5) applies, and any question relating to relationship property arises between those de facto partners in any subsequent proceedings that are not proceedings under this Act, then—

(a)

subsection (5) does not apply; and

(b)

the question must be decided as if it had been raised in proceedings under this Act.

Section 4: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 9 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 4(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 4(1)(b)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 4(1)(b)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 4(3)(b): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 4(3)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 4(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

4A Other enactments to be read subject to this Act

Every enactment must be read subject to this Act, unless this Act or the other enactment expressly provides to the contrary.

Section 4A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 9 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

4B Law relating to trustees preserved

(1)

Nothing in section 4 or section 4A affects the law that applies where either spouse or partner is acting as trustee under any deed or will.

(2)

For the purposes of this section, every enactment and every rule of law or of equity continues to operate and apply accordingly as if sections 4 and 4A had not been passed.

Section 4B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 9 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 4B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

4C Application to existing and future de facto relationships

(1)

This Act applies to—

(a)

de facto relationships that began before 1 February 2002; and

(b)

de facto relationships that begin on or after 1 February 2002.

(2)

This Act does not apply to de facto relationships that ended before 1 February 2002.

Section 4C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 9 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

4D Application to de facto relationships that end on separation or death

This Act applies to de facto relationships that end—

(a)

while both de facto partners are alive; or

(b)

when one of the de facto partners dies.

Section 4D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 9 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

5 Act to apply only during joint lifetime of spouses

[Repealed]

Section 5: repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 10 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

6 Maori land not affected

Nothing in this Act shall apply in respect of any Maori land within the meaning of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993.

Section 6: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 11 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

7 Application to movable or immovable property

(1)

This Act applies to immovable property that is situated in New Zealand.

(2)

This Act applies to movable property that is situated in New Zealand or elsewhere, if one of the spouses or partners is domiciled in New Zealand—

(a)

at the date of an application made under this Act; or

(b)

at the date of any agreement between the spouses or partners relating to the division of their property; or

(c)

at the date of his or her death.

(3)

Despite subsection (2), if any order under this Act is sought against a person who is neither domiciled nor resident in New Zealand, the court may decline to make an order in respect of any movable property that is situated outside New Zealand.

Section 7: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 12 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 7(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 7(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

7A Application where spouses or partners agree

(1)

This Act applies in any case where the spouses or partners agree in writing that it is to apply.

(2)

Subject to subsections (1) and (3), this Act does not apply to any relationship property if—

(a)

the spouses or partners have agreed, before or at the time their marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began, that the property law of a country other than New Zealand is to apply to that property; and

(b)

the agreement is in writing or is otherwise valid according to the law of that country.

(3)

Subsection (2) does not apply if the court determines that the application of the law of the other country under an agreement to which that subsection applies would be contrary to justice or public policy.

Section 7A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 12 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 7A heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 7A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 7A(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 7A(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Nature of relationship property and separate property

Heading: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 13 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

8 Relationship property defined

(1)

Relationship property shall consist of—

(a)

the family home whenever acquired; and

(b)

the family chattels whenever acquired; and

(c)

all property owned jointly or in common in equal shares by the married couple or by the partners; and

(d)

all property owned by either spouse or partner immediately before their marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began, if—

(i)

the property was acquired in contemplation of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship; and

(ii)

the property was intended for the common use or common benefit of both spouses or partners; and

(e)

subject to sections 9(2) to (6), 9A, and 10, all property acquired by either spouse or partner after their marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began; and

(ee)

subject to sections 9(3) to (6), 9A, and 10, all property acquired, after the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began, for the common use or common benefit of both spouses or partners, if—

(i)

the property was acquired out of property owned by either spouse or partner or by both of them before the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began; or

(ii)

the property was acquired out of the proceeds of any disposition of any property owned by either spouse or partner or by both of them before the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began; and

(f)

[Repealed]

(g)

the proportion of the value of any life insurance policy (as defined in section 2), or of the proceeds of such a policy, that is attributable to the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship; and

(h)

any policy of insurance in respect of any property described in paragraphs (a) to (ee); and

(i)

the proportion of the value of any superannuation scheme entitlements (as defined in section 2) that is attributable to the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship; and

(j)

all other property that is relationship property under an agreement made under Part 6; and

(k)

any other property that is relationship property by virtue of any other provision of this Act or by virtue of any other Act; and

(l)

any income and gains derived from, the proceeds of any disposition of, and any increase in the value of, any property described in paragraphs (a) to (k).

(2)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 83.

Section 8 heading: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(5) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(a): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(1)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(c): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 8(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(c): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(1)(c) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(d): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(d)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(d)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(e): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(e): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(e): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(ee): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(ee): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(ee): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(ee)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(ee)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(ee)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(ee)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(f): repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(g): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(g): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(h): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(i): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 8(1)(j): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(k): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(1)(l): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(2): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 14(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 8(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

9 Separate property defined

(1)

All property of either spouse or partner that is not relationship property is separate property.

(2)

Subject to sections 8(1)(ee), 9A(3), and 10, all property acquired out of separate property, and the proceeds of any disposition of separate property, are separate property.

(3)

Subject to section 9A, any increase in the value of separate property, and any income or gains derived from separate property, are separate property.

(4)

The following property is separate property, unless the court considers that it is just in the circumstances to treat the property or any part of the property as relationship property:

(a)

all property acquired by either spouse or partner while they are not living together as a married couple or as civil union partners or as de facto partners:

(b)

all property acquired, after the death of one spouse or partner, by the surviving spouse or partner, as provided in section 84.

(5)

Subject to subsection (6), all property acquired by either spouse or partner after an order of the court (other than an order made under section 25(3)) has been made defining the respective interests of the spouses or partners in the relationship property, or dividing or providing for the division of that property, is separate property.

(6)

However, where relationship property has been divided on the bankruptcy of a spouse or partner,—

(a)

the family home and any family chattels acquired after that division may be relationship property; and

(b)

any other property acquired by either spouse or partner after the discharge of that spouse or partner from bankruptcy may be relationship property.

Section 9: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 15 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 9(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(4)(a): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 9(4)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(4)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(4)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(5): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(5): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(6): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9(6)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

9A When separate property becomes relationship property

(1)

If any increase in the value of separate property, or any income or gains derived from separate property, were attributable (wholly or in part) to the application of relationship property, then the increase in value or (as the case requires) the income or gains are relationship property.

(2)

If any increase in the value of separate property, or any income or gains derived from separate property, were attributable (wholly or in part, and whether directly or indirectly) to actions of the other spouse or partner, then—

(a)

the increase in value or (as the case requires) the income or gains are relationship property; but

(b)

the share of each spouse or partner in that relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each spouse or partner to the increase in value or (as the case requires) the income or gains.

(3)

Any separate property, or any proceeds of the disposition of any separate property, or any increase in the value of, or any income or gains derived from, separate property, is relationship property if that separate property or (as the case requires) those proceeds or the increase in value or the income or gains are used—

(a)

with the express or implied consent of the spouse or partner that owns, receives, or is entitled to them; and

(b)

for the acquisition or improvement of, or to increase the value of, or the amount of any interest of either spouse or partner in, any property referred to in section 8(1).

(4)

Subsection (3) is subject to section 10.

Section 9A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 15 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 9A(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9A(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9A(3)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 9A(3)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

10 Property acquired by succession or by survivorship or as a beneficiary under a trust or by gift

(1)

Subsection (2) applies to the following property:

(a)

property that a spouse or partner acquires from a third person—

(i)

by succession; or

(ii)

by survivorship; or

(iii)

by gift; or

(iv)

because the spouse or partner is a beneficiary under a trust settled by a third person:

(b)

the proceeds of a disposition of property to which paragraph (a) applies:

(c)

property acquired out of property to which paragraph (a) applies.

(2)

Property to which this subsection applies is not relationship property unless, with the express or implied consent of the spouse or partner who received it, the property or the proceeds of any disposition of it have been so intermingled with other relationship property that it is unreasonable or impracticable to regard that property or those proceeds as separate property.

(3)

Property that one spouse or partner acquires by gift from the other spouse or partner is not relationship property unless the gift is used for the benefit of both spouses or partners.

(4)

Regardless of subsections (2) and (3) and section 9(4), both the family home and the family chattels are relationship property, unless designated separate property by an agreement made in accordance with Part 6.

Section 10: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 15 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 10(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10(1)(a)(iv): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Part 3 Application of this Act

Part 3: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 16 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

10A Application of Act to division of relationship property where both spouses or partners alive

This Act (other than Part 8) applies to the division of relationship property between the spouses or partners when a situation described in section 25(2) arises while both spouses or partners are alive.

Section 10A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 16 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 10A heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10A: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

10B Application of Act to division of relationship property on death of spouse or partner

(1)

This Act (including Part 8) applies to the division of relationship property between spouses or partners when—

(a)

one of the spouses or partners dies on or after 1 February 2002 (except in the situation described in section 10D(1)); or

(b)

in the case of spouses, one of them dies before 1 February 2002 and, at the date of that spouse’s death, no proceedings have been commenced between the spouses under this Act or the Matrimonial Property Act 1963.

(2)

Subsection (1) applies whether or not a situation described in section 25(2) arose while both spouses or partners were alive.

Section 10B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 16 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 10B heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10B(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

10C Application of Act in other circumstances

This Act also applies—

(a)

in the circumstances described in sections 4(4), 4(6), 21H, 43(1), 44(1), 45(1), and 51(2), while both spouses or partners are alive and after the death of one of the spouses or partners:

(b)

in the circumstances described in sections 25(3) and 28(1), while both spouses or partners are alive and after the death of one of the spouses or partners (although the sections are modified in proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners):

(c)

in the circumstances described in sections 20 to 20F,—

(i)

while both spouses or partners are alive; and

(ii)

if a spouse or partner is subject to sections 20 to 20F at the date of his or her death, after the death of the spouse or partner; and

(iii)

if a surviving spouse or partner is declared bankrupt after the death of the other spouse or partner, after the death of the other spouse or partner:

(d)

in the circumstances described in sections 58 and 59, after the death of one of the spouses or partners:

(e)

in the circumstances described in section 87, after the death of one of the spouses or partners.

Section 10C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 16 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 10C(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10C(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10C(c)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10C(c)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10C(c)(iii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10C(d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10C(e): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

10D Proceedings

(1)

If proceedings under this Act, or to which this Act applies, are commenced while both spouses or partners are alive, and one of them dies, or they both die, before the proceedings are completed, the proceedings continue under this Act, except sections 61 to 95.

(2)

Nothing in subsection (1) prevents any proceedings from being discontinued.

(3)

If a surviving spouse or partner chooses, under section 61, to apply under this Act for a division of the relationship property,—

(a)

sections 76 to 78 apply to the proceedings; and

(b)

sections 2 to 53A apply to the proceedings, but some of those sections are modified or affected by sections 79 to 94.

Section 10D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 16 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 10D(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 10D(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Part 4 Division of relationship property

Part 4 heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Division of relationship property: general

Heading: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

11 Division of relationship property

(1)

On the division of relationship property under this Act, each of the spouses or partners is entitled to share equally in—

(a)

the family home; and

(b)

the family chattels; and

(c)

any other relationship property.

(2)

This section is subject to the other provisions of this Part.

Section 11: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 11(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

11A Where family home sold

(1)

If the family home has been sold, each spouse or partner is entitled to share equally in the proceeds of the sale as if they were the family home, if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)

either spouse or partner or both of them have sold the family home with the intention of applying all or part of the proceeds of the sale towards the acquisition of another home as a family home:

(b)

that home has not been acquired:

(c)

at the date of the application to the court, not more than 2 years have elapsed since the date when those proceeds were received or became payable, whichever is the later.

(2)

This section is subject to sections 12 to 17A.

Section 11A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 11A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 11A(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

11B Compensation for absence of interest in family home

(1)

This section applies where—

(a)

section 11A does not apply; and

(b)

either—

(i)

there is no family home; or

(ii)

the family home is not owned by one of the spouses or partners or both of them.

(2)

Where this section applies, the court must award each spouse or partner an equal share in such part of the relationship property as it thinks just in order to compensate for the absence of an interest in the family home.

(3)

This section is subject to sections 12 to 17A.

Section 11B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 11B(1)(b)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 11B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Homesteads

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

12 Homesteads

(1)

If the family home is a homestead that is owned by either spouse or partner or both of them, section 11(1)(a) does not apply.

(2)

Instead, each spouse or partner is entitled to share equally in a sum of money equal to the equity of either spouse or partner or both of them in the homestead.

(3)

If a spouse or partner does not have a beneficial interest in the land on which the homestead is situated, that spouse or partner is deemed to be beneficially interested in that land until his or her share of that sum is paid or otherwise satisfied.

(4)

This section is subject to sections 13 to 17A.

Section 12: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 12(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 12(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 12(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

12A Valuation of homestead

For the purposes of section 12, a homestead’s value is to be determined by ascertaining the capital value of the land on which the homestead is situated, and apportioning that value between the homestead and the remainder of that land.

Section 12A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Exception to equal sharing

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

13 Exception to equal sharing

(1)

If the court considers that there are extraordinary circumstances that make equal sharing of property or money under section 11 or section 11A or section 11B or section 12 repugnant to justice, the share of each spouse or partner in that property or money is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each spouse to the marriage or of each civil union partner to the civil union or of each de facto partner to the de facto relationship.

(2)

This section is subject to sections 14 to 17A.

Section 13: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 13(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Relationships of short duration

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

14 Marriages of short duration

(1)

This section applies if a marriage is a relationship of short duration (as defined in section 2E).

(2)

If this section applies, sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 11A, 11B, and 12 do not apply—

(a)

to any asset owned wholly or substantially by one spouse at the date on which the marriage began; or

(b)

to any asset that has come to one spouse, after the date on which the marriage began,—

(i)

by succession; or

(ii)

by survivorship; or

(iii)

as the beneficiary under a trust; or

(iv)

by gift from a third person; or

(c)

where the contribution of one spouse to the marriage has clearly been disproportionately greater than the contribution of the other spouse.

(3)

In every case to which subsection (2) applies,—

(a)

the share of each spouse in the relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each spouse to the marriage; and

(b)

the share of each spouse in any other relationship property that falls for division under sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 11A, 11B, and 12, and is not determined in accordance with paragraph (a), is to be determined in accordance with sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 11A, 11B, and 12.

(4)

If this section applies, each spouse is entitled to share equally in any relationship property that falls for division under section 11(1)(c), unless his or her contribution to the marriage has been clearly greater than that of the other spouse.

(5)

If, under subsection (4), the spouses do not share equally in any relationship property, the share of each spouse in that relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each spouse to the marriage.

(6)

This section is subject to sections 15 to 17A.

(7)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses, this section is modified by section 85.

Section 14: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

14AA Civil unions of short duration

(1)

This section applies if a civil union is a relationship of short duration (as defined in section 2E).

(2)

If this section applies, sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 11A, 11B, and 12 do not apply—

(a)

to any asset owned wholly or substantially by one civil union partner at the date on which the civil union began; or

(b)

to any asset that has come to one civil union partner, after the date on which the civil union began,—

(i)

by succession; or

(ii)

by survivorship; or

(iii)

as the beneficiary under a trust; or

(iv)

by gift from a third person; or

(c)

where the contribution of one civil union partner to the civil union has clearly been disproportionately greater than the contribution of the other civil union partner.

(3)

In every case to which subsection (2) applies,—

(a)

the share of each civil union partner in the relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each civil union partner to the civil union; and

(b)

the share of each civil union partner in any other relationship property that falls for division under sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 11A, 11B, and 12, and is not determined in accordance with paragraph (a), is to be determined in accordance with sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 11A, 11B, and 12.

(4)

If this section applies, each civil union partner is entitled to share equally in any relationship property that falls for division under section 11(1)(c), unless his or her contribution to the civil union has been clearly greater than that of the other civil union partner.

(5)

If, under subsection (4), the civil union partners do not share equally in any relationship property, the share of each civil union partner in that relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each civil union partner to the civil union.

(6)

This section is subject to sections 15 to 17A.

(7)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the civil union partners, this section is modified by section 85.

Section 14AA: inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

14A De facto relationships of short duration

(1)

This section applies if a de facto relationship is a relationship of short duration (as defined in section 2E).

(2)

If this section applies, an order cannot be made under this Act for the division of relationship property unless—

(a)

the court is satisfied—

(i)

that there is a child of the de facto relationship; or

(ii)

that the applicant has made a substantial contribution to the de facto relationship; and

(b)

the court is satisfied that failure to make the order would result in serious injustice.

(3)

If this section applies, and the court is satisfied that the grounds specified in subsection (2) for making an order on an application under this Act are made out, the share of each de facto partner in the relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each de facto partner to the de facto relationship.

(4)

Nothing in this section prevents a court from making a declaration or an order under section 25(3), even though the de facto partners have lived in a de facto relationship for less than 3 years.

(5)

This section is subject to sections 15 to 17A.

Section 14A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Court may make orders to redress economic disparities

Heading: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

15 Court may award lump sum payments or order transfer of property

(1)

This section applies if, on the division of relationship property, the court is satisfied that, after the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends, the income and living standards of one spouse or partner (party B) are likely to be significantly higher than the other spouse or partner (party A) because of the effects of the division of functions within the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship while the parties were living together.

(2)

In determining whether or not to make an order under this section, the court may have regard to—

(a)

the likely earning capacity of each spouse or partner:

(b)

the responsibilities of each spouse or partner for the ongoing daily care of any minor or dependent children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship:

(c)

any other relevant circumstances.

(3)

If this section applies, the court, if it considers it just, may, for the purpose of compensating party A,—

(a)

order party B to pay party A a sum of money out of party B’s relationship property:

(b)

order party B to transfer to party A any other property out of party B’s relationship property.

(4)

This section overrides sections 11 to 14A.

Section 15: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 15(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15(2)(b): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

15A Orders where spouse or partner has contributed to increase in value of separate property

(1)

This section applies if, on the division of relationship property, the court is satisfied—

(a)

that, after the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends, the income and living standards of one spouse or partner (party B) are likely to be significantly higher than the other spouse or partner (party A) because of the effects of the division of functions within the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship while the spouses or partners were living together; and

(b)

that any increase in the value of party B’s separate property was attributable, wholly or in part, and whether directly or indirectly, to the actions of party B while the spouses or partners were living together.

(2)

In determining whether or not to make an order under this section, the court may have regard to—

(a)

the likely earning capacity of each spouse or partner:

(b)

the responsibilities of each spouse or partner for the ongoing daily care of any minor or dependent children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship:

(c)

any other relevant circumstances.

(3)

If this section applies, the court, if it considers it just, may, for the purpose of compensating party A for the increase in value of party B’s separate property,—

(a)

order party B to pay party A a sum of money, whether out of relationship property or separate property:

(b)

order party B to transfer to party A any other property, whether the property is relationship property or separate property.

(4)

This section does not limit section 15, but overrides sections 11 to 14A.

Section 15A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 15A heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15A(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15A(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15A(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15A(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15A(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 15A(2)(b): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Other provisions relating to division of relationship property

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

16 Adjustment when each spouse or partner owned home at date relationship began

(1)

This section applies if,—

(a)

at the date the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began, each spouse or partner owned a home; and

(b)

each of those homes was capable of becoming a family home; but

(c)

at the time when the relationship property is to be divided, the home (or the proceeds of the sale of the home) of only one spouse or partner is included in the relationship property.

(2)

This section also applies if,—

(a)

before the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship began, each spouse or partner owned a home; and

(b)

each of those homes was capable of becoming a family home; and

(c)

one of the spouses or partners (party A) sold his or her home in contemplation of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship; and

(d)

at the time when the relationship property is to be divided,—

(i)

the home (or the proceeds of the sale of the home) of the other spouse or partner (party B) is included in the relationship property; but

(ii)

the proceeds of the sale of party A’s home are not included in the relationship property.

(3)

If this section applies, the court may adjust the shares of the spouses or partners in any of the relationship property (including the family home and the family chattels) according to what it considers just to compensate for the inclusion of the home of only one spouse or partner in the relationship property.

(4)

This section overrides sections 11 to 14A.

Section 16: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 16 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(2)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(2)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(2)(d)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 16(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

17 Sustenance of separate property

(1)

This section applies if the separate property of one spouse or partner (party A) has been sustained by—

(a)

the application of relationship property; or

(b)

the actions of the other spouse or partner (party B).

(2)

If this section applies, the court may—

(a)

increase the share to which party B would otherwise be entitled in the relationship property; or

(b)

order party A to pay party B a sum of money as compensation.

(3)

This section overrides sections 11 to 14A.

Section 17: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 17(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 17(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

17A Diminution of separate property

(1)

If the separate property of one spouse or partner has been materially diminished in value by the deliberate action or inaction of the other spouse or partner, the court may, to such extent as it thinks just, diminish the share to which the other spouse or partner would otherwise be entitled in the relationship property.

(2)

This section overrides sections 11 to 14A.

Section 17A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 17A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

18 Contributions of spouses or partners

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, a contribution to the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship means all or any of the following:

(a)

the care of—

(i)

any child of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship:

(ii)

any aged or infirm relative or dependant of either spouse or partner:

(b)

the management of the household and the performance of household duties:

(c)

the provision of money, including the earning of income, for the purposes of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship:

(d)

the acquisition or creation of relationship property, including the payment of money for those purposes:

(e)

the payment of money to maintain or increase the value of—

(i)

the relationship property or any part of that property; or

(ii)

the separate property of the other spouse or partner or any part of that property:

(f)

the performance of work or services in respect of—

(i)

the relationship property or any part of that property; or

(ii)

the separate property of the other spouse or partner or any part of that property:

(g)

the forgoing of a higher standard of living than would otherwise have been available:

(h)

the giving of assistance or support to the other spouse or partner (whether or not of a material kind), including the giving of assistance or support that—

(i)

enables the other spouse or partner to acquire qualifications; or

(ii)

aids the other spouse or partner in the carrying on of his or her occupation or business.

(2)

There is no presumption that a contribution of a monetary nature (whether under subsection (1)(c) or otherwise) is of greater value than a contribution of a non-monetary nature.

Section 18: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 18 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(a)(i): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(a)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(e)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(f)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(h): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(h)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18(1)(h)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

18A Effect of misconduct of spouses or partners

(1)

Except as permitted by subsections (2) and (3), a court may not take any misconduct of a spouse or partner into account in proceedings under this Act, whether to diminish or detract from the positive contribution of that spouse or partner or otherwise.

(2)

Subject to subsection (3), the court may take into account any misconduct of a spouse or partner—

(a)

in determining the contribution of a spouse to the marriage, or of a civil union partner to the civil union, or of a de facto partner to the de facto relationship; or

(b)

in determining what order it should make under any of sections 26, 26A, 27, 28, 28B, 28C, and 33.

(3)

For conduct to be taken into account under subsection (2), the conduct must have been gross and palpable and must have significantly affected the extent or value of the relationship property.

Section 18A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 18A heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18A(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18A(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

18B Compensation for contributions made after separation

(1)

In this section, relevant period, in relation to a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship, means the period after the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship has ended (other than by the death of one of the spouses or partners) but before the date of the hearing of an application under this Act by the court of first instance.

(2)

If, during the relevant period, a spouse or partner (party A) has done anything that would have been a contribution to the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship if the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship had not ended, the court, if it considers it just, may for the purposes of compensating party A—

(a)

order the other spouse or partner (party B) to pay party A a sum of money:

(b)

order party B to transfer to party A any property, whether the property is relationship property or separate property.

(3)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 86.

Section 18B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 18B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18B(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18B(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

18C Compensation for dissipation of relationship property after separation

(1)

In this section, relevant period has the same meaning as in section 18B.

(2)

If, during the relevant period, the relationship property has been materially diminished in value by the deliberate action or inaction of one spouse or partner (party B), the court may, for the purposes of compensating the other spouse or partner (party A),—

(a)

order party B to pay party A a sum of money:

(b)

order party B to transfer to party A any property, whether the property is relationship property or separate property.

(3)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 86.

Section 18C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 17 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 18C(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 18C(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Part 5 Relationship property and creditors

Part 5 heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 18 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

19 Effect of Act while property is undivided

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, nothing in the Act shall—

(a)

affect the title of any third person to any property, or affect the power of either spouse or partner to acquire, deal with, or dispose of any property or to enter into any contract or other legal transaction whatsoever as if this Act had not been passed; or

(b)

limit or affect the operation of any mortgage, charge, or other security for the repayment of a debt given by either spouse or partner over property owned by him or her and every such instrument shall have the same effect as if this Act had not been passed.

Section 19(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 19(a): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 19 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 19(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 19(b): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 19 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

20 Interpretation

(1)

In sections 20A to 20E, unless the context otherwise requires,—

personal debt means—

(a)

a debt that is not a relationship debt:

(b)

a debt to the extent that it is not a relationship debt

relationship debt means a debt that has been incurred, or to the extent that it has been incurred,—

(a)

by the spouses or partners jointly; or

(b)

in the course of a common enterprise carried on by the spouses or partners, whether alone or together with another person; or

(c)

for the purpose of acquiring, improving, or maintaining relationship property; or

(d)

for the benefit of both spouses or partners in the course of managing the affairs of the household; or

(e)

for the purpose of bringing up any child of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship.

(2)

To avoid any doubt, for a debt to fall within paragraph (c) of the definition of relationship debt in subsection (1), it is not necessary that, at the time at which the debt was incurred, the property for which it was incurred was relationship property, as long as the property later becomes relationship property.

Section 20: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 20(1) relationship debt paragraph (a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20(1) relationship debt paragraph (b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20(1) relationship debt paragraph (d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20(1) relationship debt paragraph (e): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

20A Rights of creditors preserved

(1)

Secured and unsecured creditors of a spouse or partner have the same rights against that spouse or partner, and against property owned by the spouse or partner, as if this Act had not been passed.

(2)

If, had this Act not been passed, any property would have passed to the Official Assignee on or following the bankruptcy of a spouse or partner, then that property (and no other property) passes to the Official Assignee as if this Act had not been passed.

(3)

This section—

(a)

is subject to section 20B; and

(b)

applies except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act.

Section 20A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 20A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20A(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

20B Protected interest in family home

(1)

Each spouse or partner has a protected interest in the family home, which includes,—

(a)

where section 11A applies, the proceeds of sale of the family home:

(b)

where section 11B applies, the property shared under that section:

(c)

where section 12 applies, the money shared under that section.

(2)

The protected interest of a spouse or partner is not liable for the unsecured debts of the other spouse or partner, other than an unsecured debt incurred—

(a)

by the spouses or partners jointly; or

(b)

by the spouse or partner subsequently declared bankrupt, for the purpose of acquiring, improving, or repairing the family home.

(3)

The value of the protected interest of a spouse or partner is as follows:

(a)

where section 11 applies, the protected interest is to the extent of the lesser of—

(i)

the specified sum; or

(ii)

one-half of the equity of the spouses or partners in the family home:

(b)

where section 11A applies, the protected interest is to the extent of the lesser of—

(i)

the specified sum; or

(ii)

one-half of the proceeds of the sale of the family home:

(c)

where section 11B or section 12 applies, the protected interest is to the extent of the lesser of—

(i)

the specified sum; or

(ii)

one-half of the property or money shared under the applicable section.

(4)

In this section, specified sum means the amount for the time being prescribed under section 53A for the purposes of this section.

Section 20B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 20B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20B(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20B(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20B(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20B(3)(a)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

20C Payment of protected interest on bankruptcy of other spouse or partner

(1)

If, on the bankruptcy of a spouse or partner, the family home (including a homestead) or, if section 11A applies, the proceeds of the sale of the family home pass to the Official Assignee, the Official Assignee must pay to the other spouse or partner the lesser of—

(a)

the amount of the protected interest of the other spouse or partner; or

(b)

so much of that amount as remains after the Official Assignee has paid the debts specified in subsection (2).

(2)

The debts referred to in subsection (1)(b) are as follows:

(a)

any debts secured on the family home or homestead or, as the case may be, the proceeds of sale of the family home:

(b)

any unsecured debt incurred—

(i)

by the spouses or partners jointly; or

(ii)

by the spouse or partner subsequently declared bankrupt, for the purpose of acquiring, improving, or repairing the family home.

(3)

If, on the bankruptcy of a spouse or partner, section 11B applies, the Official Assignee must pay to the other spouse or partner such amount in satisfaction of the protected interest of that spouse or partner as the court may direct, on application by the Official Assignee or by that spouse or partner.

Section 20C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 20C heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20C(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20C(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20C(2)(b)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20C(2)(b)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20C(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

20D Calculation of net value of relationship property

The value of the relationship property that may be divided between the spouses or partners under this Act must be calculated by—

(a)

ascertaining the total value of the relationship property; and then

(b)

deducting from that total any secured or unsecured relationship debts owed by either or both spouses or partners.

Section 20D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 20D: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 20D(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

20E Compensation for satisfaction of personal debts

(1)

If a secured or unsecured personal debt of one spouse or partner (party A) has been paid or satisfied (directly or indirectly) out of the relationship property, the court may make one of the following orders in favour of the other spouse or partner (party B):

(a)

an order increasing proportionately the share to which party B would otherwise be entitled in the relationship property:

(b)

an order that property that is part of party A’s separate property be treated as relationship property for the purposes of any division of relationship property under this Act:

(c)

an order that party A pay party B a sum of money as compensation.

(2)

The court may make an order under this section on its own initiative, but must make an order under this section if party B applies for such an order.

(3)

This section applies whether the debt was paid or satisfied voluntarily or pursuant to legal process.

Section 20E: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 20E(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

20F Application of Joint Family Homes Act 1964

Nothing in sections 20 to 20E derogates from the provisions of the Joint Family Homes Act 1964.

Section 20F: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 20 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Part 6 Contracting out

Part 6 heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

When persons can contract out

Heading: replaced, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21 Spouses or partners may contract out of this Act

(1)

Spouses, civil union partners, or de facto partners, or any 2 persons in contemplation of entering into a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship, may, for the purpose of contracting out of the provisions of this Act, make any agreement they think fit with respect to the status, ownership, and division of their property (including future property).

(2)

An agreement made under this section may relate to the status, ownership, and division of property in either or both of the following circumstances:

(a)

during the joint lives of the spouses or partners:

(b)

when one of the spouses or partners dies.

(3)

This section is subject to section 47.

Section 21: replaced, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21(1): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 21(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

21A Spouses or partners may settle differences by agreement

(1)

Spouses or civil union partners or de facto partners may, for the purpose of settling any differences that have arisen between them concerning property owned by either or both of them, make any agreement they think fit with respect to the status, ownership, and division of that property.

(2)

This section is subject to section 47.

Section 21A: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21A heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21A(1): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 21A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

21B Surviving spouse or partner and personal representative may agree on division of property

(1)

This section applies—

(a)

when proceedings are commenced while both spouses or partners are alive, and one spouse or partner dies before the proceedings are completed; or

(b)

when one spouse or partner dies and the other spouse or partner, or the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner, intends to commence, or commences, proceedings after the death of the deceased.

(2)

If this section applies, a surviving spouse or partner (the survivor) and the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner may, for the purpose of settling the proceedings or (as the case requires) a claim by the survivor or the personal representative with respect to property owned by either or both of those spouses or partners, make any agreement they think fit with respect to the status, ownership, and division of that property.

(3)

If the survivor is also the sole executor or sole administrator of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner, an agreement under this section is not valid unless the court approves the agreement.

(4)

Subsection (3) does not apply if a grant of administration is not required.

(5)

This section is subject to section 47.

Section 21B: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21B heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21B(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21B(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21B(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21B(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21B(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

21C Court may be asked to approve agreement between surviving spouse or partner and personal representative

(1)

If a surviving spouse or partner and the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner intend to make an agreement under section 21B, either or both of them may submit an agreement, in draft, to the court for approval.

(2)

If the court approves the agreement, the agreement has effect in accordance with section 21B.

Section 21C: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21C heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21C(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Subject matter of agreement

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21D Subject matter of agreement

(1)

An agreement under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B may do all or any of the following:

(a)

provide that any property, or any class of property, is to be relationship property or is to be separate property:

(b)

define the share of the relationship property, or of any part of the relationship property, that each spouse or partner is to be entitled to when the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends:

(c)

define the share of the relationship property, or of any part of the relationship property, that the surviving spouse or partner and the estate of the deceased spouse or partner is to be entitled to on the death of one of the spouses or partners:

(d)

provide for the calculation of those shares:

(e)

prescribe the method by which the relationship property, or any part of the relationship property, is to be divided.

(2)

This section does not limit the generality of sections 21 to 21B.

Section 21D: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21D(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21D(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21D(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21D(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Model forms of agreement

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21E Regulations prescribing model forms of agreement

(1)

The purpose of this section is to minimise the legal expenses of people who wish to enter into an agreement under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B.

(2)

The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations prescribing model forms of agreement for the purposes of section 21 or section 21A or section 21B.

(3)

Use of a prescribed model form of agreement is optional.

(4)

Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section
Publication	PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette	LA19 s 69(1)(c)
Presentation	The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives	LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a)
Disallowance	It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives	LA19 ss 115, 116
This note is not part of the Act.

Section 21E: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21E(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Procedural requirements

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21F Agreement void unless complies with certain requirements

(1)

Subject to section 21H, an agreement entered into under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B is void unless the requirements set out in subsections (2) to (5) are complied with.

(2)

The agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties.

(3)

Each party to the agreement must have independent legal advice before signing the agreement.

(4)

The signature of each party to the agreement must be witnessed by a lawyer.

(5)

The lawyer who witnesses the signature of a party must certify that, before that party signed the agreement, the lawyer explained to that party the effect and implications of the agreement.

Section 21F: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21G Other grounds of invalidity not affected

Section 21F does not limit or affect any enactment or rule of law or of equity that makes a contract void, voidable, or unenforceable on any other ground.

Section 21G: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21H Court may give effect to agreement in certain circumstances

(1)

Even though an agreement is void for non-compliance with a requirement of section 21F, the court may declare that the agreement has effect, wholly or in part or for any particular purpose, if it is satisfied that the non-compliance has not materially prejudiced the interests of any party to the agreement.

(2)

The court may make a declaration under this section in the course of any proceedings under this Act, or on application made for the purpose.

Section 21H: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Agreements by minors

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21I Agreements entered into by minors

(1)

Subject to subsection (2), if a minor enters into an agreement under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B, the agreement, and every instrument executed by that minor for the purpose of giving effect to the agreement, is as valid and effectual as if the minor were of full age.

(2)

If a minor who is younger than 18 years, and is not and has not been married or in a civil union, enters into an agreement under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B, the agreement is not valid without the approval of the court.

(3)

An approval may be given on application by the minor before or after the agreement has been signed by the parties.

Section 21I: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21I(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Court may set agreement aside

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21J Court may set agreement aside if would cause serious injustice

(1)

Even though an agreement satisfies the requirements of section 21F, the court may set the agreement aside if, having regard to all the circumstances, it is satisfied that giving effect to the agreement would cause serious injustice.

(2)

The court may exercise the power in subsection (1) in the course of any proceedings under this Act, or on application made for the purpose.

(3)

This section does not limit or affect any enactment or rule of law or of equity that makes a contract void, voidable, or unenforceable on any other ground.

(4)

In deciding, under this section, whether giving effect to an agreement made under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B would cause serious injustice, the court must have regard to—

(a)

the provisions of the agreement:

(b)

the length of time since the agreement was made:

(c)

whether the agreement was unfair or unreasonable in the light of all the circumstances at the time it was made:

(d)

whether the agreement has become unfair or unreasonable in the light of any changes in circumstances since it was made (whether or not those changes were foreseen by the parties):

(e)

the fact that the parties wished to achieve certainty as to the status, ownership, and division of property by entering into the agreement:

(f)

any other matters that the court considers relevant.

(5)

In deciding, under this section, whether giving effect to an agreement made under section 21B would cause serious injustice, the court must also have regard to whether the estate of the deceased spouse or partner has been wholly or partly distributed.

Section 21J: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21J(5): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Miscellaneous provisions

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21K Agreements made for valuable consideration

(1)

Every agreement under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B is taken to have been made for valuable consideration.

(2)

Nothing in this section limits or affects the manner of determining, for the purposes of the Estate and Gift Duties Act 1968, whether a disposition of property is a gift.

Section 21K: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21L Enforcement of agreements

(1)

Remedies that, under any enactment or rule of law or of equity, are available for the enforcement of contracts may be used for the enforcement of agreements under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B.

(2)

This section is subject to the provisions of this Part.

Section 21L: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21M Consequences of invalidity of agreement

If an agreement purporting to be made under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B is void or is avoided or is invalid or unenforceable (including an agreement set aside under section 21J), the provisions of this Act have effect as if the agreement had never been made.

Section 21M: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21N Other powers and capacities not affected

(1)

Nothing in this Part limits or affects the capacity of either spouse or partner to agree to acquire or hold any property jointly or in common, whether or not together with any other person, and whether legally or beneficially.

(2)

Nothing in this Part limits or affects the power of spouses or partners to make gifts to each other.

(3)

Regardless of any rule of law, a gift between spouses or partners may be made orally or in writing, and does not need to be made by deed or by delivery.

(4)

Subsection (3) does not apply to de facto partners who have lived in a de facto relationship for less than 3 years.

Section 21N: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 21N(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21N(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 21N(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

21O Application of Act to relationship property not subject to agreement

Relationship property is subject to the provisions of this Act if neither of the following kinds of agreement applies to the property:

(a)

an agreement under section 21 or section 21A or section 21B:

(b)

an agreement to which section 21P or section 21Q applies, or to the extent that section 21Q applies.

Section 21O: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Agreements made before 1 August 2001

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21P Agreements made before 1 August 2001 between de facto partners

(1)

This section applies to any agreement—

(a)

that is made, before 1 August 2001, by de facto partners, or by any 2 persons in contemplation of entering into a de facto relationship; and

(b)

that is made with respect to the status, ownership, or division of their property.

(2)

An agreement to which subsection (1) applies—

(a)

may relate to existing or future property, or both:

(b)

may relate to the status, ownership, or division of property in either or both of the following circumstances:

(i)

during the joint lives of the de facto partners:

(ii)

when one of them dies.

(3)

Subsection (2) does not limit the generality of subsection (1).

Section 21P: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21Q Agreements made before 1 August 2001 between spouses relating to division of property on death

This section applies to any agreement—

(a)

that is made, before 1 August 2001, by a husband and wife, or by any 2 persons in contemplation of marriage; and

(b)

that is made with respect to, or to the extent that it is made with respect to, the status, ownership, or division of their property when one of them dies.

Section 21Q: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21R Agreements to have effect as if Act not passed

(1)

The following agreements, to the extent that the agreements were valid and would have been enforceable before 1 August 2001, have effect as if this Act had not been passed:

(a)

an agreement to which section 21P applies:

(b)

an agreement to which section 21Q applies, or to the extent that section 21Q applies.

(2)

This section is subject to section 47.

Section 21R: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21S Agreements made under previous section 21 before 1 August 2001

Any agreement made before 1 August 2001 under section 21 (as that section existed immediately before that date) is to be treated as if it had been made under section 21 or section 21A (as those sections existed after that date), whichever section is applicable, and this Part applies accordingly.

Section 21S: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Agreements made between 1 August 2001 and 31 January 2002, where marriage or de facto relationship ends before 1 February 2002

Heading: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

21T Agreements made under this Part before 1 February 2002, where marriage or de facto relationship ends before that date

(1)

This section applies to any agreement made under section 21 if—

(a)

the agreement is made, on or after 1 August 2001 and before 1 February 2002, by 2 de facto partners, or by any 2 persons in contemplation of entering into a de facto relationship; and

(b)

the agreement is made with respect to the status, ownership, or division of their property—

(i)

during the joint lives of the de facto partners:

(ii)

when one of them dies; and

(c)

the de facto relationship ends before 1 February 2002.

(2)

This section also applies to any agreement made under section 21 if—

(a)

the agreement is made, on or after 1 August 2001 and before 1 February 2002, by a husband and wife, or by any 2 persons in contemplation of marriage; and

(b)

the agreement is made with respect to, or to the extent that it is made with respect to, the status, ownership, or division of their property when one of them dies; and

(c)

one of the spouses dies before 1 February 2002.

(3)

The following agreements, to the extent that the agreements were valid and would have been enforceable before 1 August 2001, have effect as if this Act had not been passed:

(a)

an agreement to which subsection (1) applies:

(b)

an agreement to which subsection (2) applies, or to the extent that subsection (2) applies.

(4)

This section is subject to section 47.

Section 21T: inserted, on 1 August 2001, by section 21(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Part 7 Proceedings under this Act

Part 7 heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 22 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

General

Heading: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 22 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

22 Jurisdiction

(1)

Every application under this Act must be heard and determined in the Family Court.

(2)

This section is subject to any other provision of this Act that confers jurisdiction on any other court.

(3)

[Repealed]

(4)

[Repealed]

(5)

[Repealed]

Section 22: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 23 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 22(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 22(3): repealed, on 31 March 2014, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

Section 22(4): repealed, on 31 March 2014, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

Section 22(5): repealed, on 31 March 2014, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

23 Who can apply

(1)

The following persons may apply for an order under section 25(1)(a) or (b) or an order or declaration under section 25(3):

(a)

either spouse or partner, or both of them jointly:

(b)

any person on whom the spouses or partners have made conflicting claims in respect of property.

(2)

The Official Assignee in bankruptcy of the property of either spouse or partner may not apply for an order under section 25(1)(a), but may apply for an order under section 25(1)(b) or an order or declaration under section 25(3).

(3)

If one of the spouses or partners has died, the application of this section is modified by section 88 (except in a situation described in section 10D(1)).

Section 23: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 24 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 23(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 23(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 23(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 23(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

24 Time limits for making applications

(1)

The following time limits apply in relation to applications made under this Act:

(a)

an application made after a marriage or civil union has been dissolved by an order dissolving the marriage or civil union must be made before the expiry of the period of 12 months after the date on which that order takes effect as a final order:

(b)

an application made after an order has been made declaring a marriage or civil union to be void ab initio must be made before the expiry of the period of 12 months after the date of the making of the order:

(c)

an application made after a de facto relationship has ended must be made no later than 3 years after the de facto relationship ended.

(2)

Regardless of subsection (1), the court may extend the time for making an application after hearing—

(a)

the applicant; and

(b)

any other persons who would have an interest in the property that would be affected by the order sought and who the court considers should be heard.

(3)

The court’s power under this section extends to cases where the time for applying has already expired.

(4)

If one of the spouses or partners has died, the application of this section is modified by section 89 (except in a situation described in section 10D(1)).

Section 24: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 24(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 24(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 24(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

25 When court may make orders

(1)

On an application under section 23, the court may—

(a)

make any order it considers just—

(i)

determining the respective shares of each spouse or partner in the relationship property or any part of that property; or

(ii)

dividing the relationship property or any part of that property between the spouses or partners:

(b)

make any other order that it is empowered to make by any provision of this Act.

(2)

The court may not make an order under subsection (1) unless it is satisfied,—

(a)

in the case of a marriage or civil union,—

(i)

that the spouses or civil union partners are living apart (whether or not they have continued to live in the same residence) or are separated; or

(ii)

that the marriage or civil union has been dissolved; or

(b)

in the case of a de facto relationship, that the de facto partners no longer have a de facto relationship with each other; or

(c)

that one spouse or partner is endangering the relationship property or seriously diminishing its value, by gross mismanagement or by wilful or reckless dissipation of property or earnings; or

(d)

that either spouse or partner is an undischarged bankrupt.

(3)

Regardless of subsection (2), the court may at any time make any order or declaration relating to the status, ownership, vesting, or possession of any specific property as it considers just.

(4)

To avoid any doubt, but without limiting subsection (3), if proceedings under this Act are pending, the court, if it considers it appropriate in the circumstances, may make an interim order under that subsection for the sale of any relationship property, and may give any directions it thinks fit with respect to the proceeds.

(5)

This section is subject to the other provisions of this Act.

(6)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 91.

Section 25: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 25(1)(a)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(1)(a)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(2)(a)(i): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 25(2)(a)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(2)(a)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(2)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(2)(d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 25(6): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Orders for benefit of children of marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

26 Orders for benefit of children of marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship

(1)

In proceedings under this Act, the court must have regard to the interests of any minor or dependent children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship and, if it considers it just, may make an order settling the relationship property or any part of that property for the benefit of the children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship or of any of them.

(2)

If the court makes an order under subsection (1), the court may reserve such interest (if any) of either spouse or partner, or of both of them, in the relationship property as the court considers just.

(3)

An order under this section may be made and has effect regardless of any agreement under Part 6.

Section 26: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 26 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 26(1): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 26(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Postponement of sharing

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

26A Postponement of sharing

(1)

On the division of relationship property under this Act, the court may make an order postponing the vesting of any share in the relationship property, either wholly or in part, until a specified future date or until the occurrence of a specified event if the court is satisfied that immediate vesting would cause undue hardship for a spouse or partner who is the principal provider of ongoing daily care for 1 or more minor or dependent children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship.

(2)

The court may order postponement of vesting under this section only for as long as necessary, and only to the extent necessary, to alleviate the undue hardship.

(3)

Nothing in this section limits section 33.

Section 26A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 26A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 26A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Occupation orders, tenancy orders, and furniture orders

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 25 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

27 Occupation orders

(1)

The court may make an order granting to either spouse or partner, for such period or periods and on such terms and subject to such conditions as the court thinks fit, the right personally to occupy the family home or any other premises forming part of the relationship property.

(2)

Where an order is made under subsection (1), the person in whose favour it is made shall be entitled, to the exclusion of the other spouse or partner, personally to occupy the family home or the other premises to which the order relates.

(3)

An order made under subsection (1) against a spouse or partner shall be enforceable against the personal representative of the person against whom it is made, unless the court otherwise directs.

(4)

An order made under subsection (1) by the District Court or the Family Court is enforceable as if it were an order for recovery of land made pursuant to section 79(2)(c) of the District Court Act 2016.

(5)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 91.

Compare: 1963 No 71 s 57

Section 27(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 27(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(1)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(1)(c) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 27(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(2)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(2)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 27(3): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(3)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(3): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(3)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(4): replaced, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 27(5): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 26(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 27(5): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

28 Orders with respect to tenancy

(1)

Regardless of section 23, the court may at any time, on the application of either spouse or partner, make an order vesting in either spouse or partner (the applicant) the tenancy of any dwellinghouse.

(1A)

The court may not make an order under this section unless, at the time of the making of the order,—

(a)

the spouse or partner against whom the order is made (the other party) is or was the sole tenant of the dwellinghouse, or is or was a tenant holding jointly or in common with the applicant; and

(b)

the other party is a tenant of the dwellinghouse; and

(c)

either spouse or partner is residing in the dwellinghouse.

(2)

On the taking effect of an order made under subsection (1), unless the tenancy is sooner lawfully determined, the applicant shall become the tenant of the dwellinghouse upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the tenancy in force at the time of the making of that order, and the other party shall cease to be the tenant. Every such order shall have effect and may be enforced as if it were an order of the court for possession of the land granted in favour of the applicant.

(3)

Nothing in this section or in any order made under this section shall be construed to limit or affect the operation of any enactment or rule of law for the time being applicable to any tenancy to which this section applies or to the dwellinghouse held under the tenancy, or to authorise the court to vary, except by vesting or revesting the tenancy pursuant to this section, any express or implied term or condition of the tenancy.

(4)

On the application of the other party or his or her personal representative in any case in which an order is made under subsection (1), the court may, if it thinks fit, make an order discharging the first-mentioned order and revesting the tenancy accordingly.

(5)

On the taking effect of any revesting order made under subsection (4), unless the tenancy is sooner lawfully determined, the person in whose favour it is made shall become the tenant of the dwellinghouse upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the tenancy in force at the time of the making of the revesting order.

(5A)

In this section, dwellinghouse means any building or part of a building let as a separate dwelling; and includes—

(a)

any furniture or other chattels let with the building or part of a building; and

(b)

any land, outbuildings, or parts of buildings included in the tenancy.

(6)

For the purposes of this section, the term tenant, in relation to any dwellinghouse, includes any person whose tenancy has expired or been determined, and who is for the time being deemed under or by virtue of any enactment or rule of law to continue to be the tenant of the dwellinghouse; and the term tenancy has a corresponding meaning.

(7)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 91.

Compare: 1963 No 71 s 60

Section 28(1): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 27(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 28(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28(1A): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 27(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 28(1A)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28(1A)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28(5A): inserted, on 10 July 1987, by section 2(2) of the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 151).

Section 28(7): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 27(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 28(7): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

28A Factors affecting occupation orders and orders with respect to tenancy

(1)

The court—

(a)

in determining whether to make an order under section 27(1) or section 28(1); and

(b)

in determining, in relation to an order made under section 27(1), the period or periods, the terms (if any), and the conditions (if any) of the order,—

shall have particular regard to the need to provide a home for any minor or dependent child of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship, and may also have regard to all other relevant circumstances.

(2)

Nothing in this section shall limit the generality of section 26(1).

(3)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is affected by section 91.

Section 28A: inserted, on 1 January 1984, by section 8 of the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act (No 2) 1983 (1983 No 145).

Section 28A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28A(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 28(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 28A(3): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 28(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 28A(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

28B Ancillary furniture order

(1)

On or after making an occupation order under section 27(1) or a tenancy order under section 28(1), the court may make an order granting, to the person in whose favour the order is or has been made, the use of all or any of the furniture, household appliances, and household effects in the family home or other premises to which the occupation order relates or (as the case requires) in the dwellinghouse to which the tenancy order relates.

(2)

An order made under this section may be for such period, and on such terms and conditions, as the court thinks fit.

Section 28B: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 29 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

28C Furniture required to equip another household

(1)

Regardless of section 23, the court may at any time make an order granting to either the spouse or partner (the applicant) the possession and use of all or any of the furniture, household appliances, and household effects in—

(a)

the family home or any other premises forming part of the relationship property; or

(b)

any dwellinghouse in respect of which a tenancy order could be made under section 28(1) in favour of the applicant.

(2)

Either spouse or partner may apply for an order under this section.

(3)

The court may make an order under this section only if it is satisfied that the furniture, household appliances, and household effects are reasonably required to equip another dwellinghouse in which the applicant is or will be living (whether alone or with 1 or more children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship).

(4)

In determining whether to make an order under this section, the court must have particular regard to any need of the applicant to have suitable furniture, household appliances, and household effects to provide for the needs of any children of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship, where those children live, or will be living, with the applicant.

(5)

Subsection (4) does not limit section 26(1).

(6)

An order made under this section may be for such period, and on such terms and conditions, as the court thinks fit.

Compare: 1995 No 86 s 67

Section 28C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 29 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 28C(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property Relationships Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28C(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property Relationships Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28C(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 28C(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

28D Effect of furniture orders

(1)

The person in whose favour an order is made under section 28B or section 28C is entitled, to the exclusion of the person against whom the order is made, to the possession of the furniture, household appliances, and household effects to which the order relates for as long as the order is in force.

(2)

An order to which this section applies has effect and may be enforced as if it were an order of the court for delivery of chattels granted in favour of the person for whose benefit the order is made.

Compare: 1995 No 86 ss 64, 68

Section 28D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 29 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

28E Family Violence Act 2018 does not limit or affect powers to make orders

The Family Violence Act 2018 does not limit or affect the power of a court to make an order (including an order made on an application without notice) under section 27 or section 28 or section 28B or section 28C or section 33 of this Act.

Compare: 1995 No 86 s 128

Section 28E: inserted, on 1 July 2019, by section 259(1) of the Family Violence Act 2018 (2018 No 46).

Hire purchase agreements

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 29 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

29 Orders when property subject to hire purchase agreement

Where any property which is the subject of an application under this Act is in the possession of either or both spouses or partners under a hire purchase agreement or conditional sale agreement or under an agreement to hire or lease, the court may make an order vesting the rights and obligations under the agreement in either spouse or partner and any such order shall have effect notwithstanding anything in any agreement.

Compare: 1963 No 71 s 62(4)

Section 29: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 29: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 29: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 30(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 29: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 30(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Insurance policies

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 31 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

30 Orders in relation to insurance policies

Where an application under this Act relates to any policy of assurance or insurance the court may—

(a)

vest the policy in either spouse or partner subject to such conditions (including the payment of premiums by either spouse or partner) as it thinks just:

(b)

direct the payment of a proportion of the surrender or paid-up value from one spouse or partner to the other:

(c)

make such other order as it thinks just.

Section 30(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 30(a): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 32(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 30(a): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 32(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 30(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 30(b): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 32(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Superannuation scheme entitlements

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 33 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

31 Orders in relation to superannuation rights

(1)

Where the relationship property to which any application under this Act relates includes property of the kind described in section 8(1)(i), the court may make any order under this Act, or any provision of any such order, conditional on either spouse or partner entering into an arrangement or deed of covenant designed to ensure that the other spouse or partner receives his or her appropriate share of that property, and every arrangement or deed entered into pursuant to any such condition shall have effect according to its tenor.

(2)

A copy of any arrangement or deed entered into pursuant to subsection (1) may be served on the manager of the superannuation scheme from which the entitlement is derived.

(3)

Where a copy of any such arrangement or deed is served on any such manager he or she shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any Act, deed, or rules governing the scheme, be bound by the provisions of the arrangement or deed.

Section 31(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 31(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 34(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 31(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 34(1)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 31(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 34(1)(c) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 31(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 34(1)(d) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 31(3): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 34(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Orders relating to maintenance and child support

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 35 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

32 Orders relating to maintenance and child support

(1)

In any proceedings, the court must have regard to—

(a)

any order made under the Family Proceedings Act 1980 for the maintenance of a spouse or partner; and

(b)

any child support payable by one spouse or partner, under a formula assessment under the Child Support Act 1991, for a child of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship; and

(c)

any voluntary agreement, whether or not the agreement has been accepted under Part 3 of the Child Support Act 1991.

(2)

In any proceedings, the court, if it considers it just, may—

(a)

make an order under the Family Proceedings Act 1980 for the maintenance of a spouse or partner:

(b)

discharge, vary, extend, or suspend an order made under the Family Proceedings Act 1980 for the maintenance of a spouse or partner:

(c)

make any order in relation to child support that may be made under section 106 or section 109 or section 112 of the Child Support Act 1991, as if an application had been made under section 104 or (as the case requires) section 108 or section 112 of that Act:

(d)

cancel, vary, extend, or suspend a voluntary agreement.

(3)

An order made under this Act in respect of relationship property is not sufficient by itself to support—

(a)

an application under section 99 of the Family Proceedings Act 1980 for the discharge, variation, extension, or suspension of an order for the maintenance of a spouse or partner; or

(b)

an application for an order under Part 7 of the Child Support Act 1991; or

(c)

the cancellation, variation, extension, or suspension of a voluntary agreement.

Section 32: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 35 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 32(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 32(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 32(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 32(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 32(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 32(3)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Ancillary powers

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 35 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

33 Ancillary powers of court

(1)

The court may make all such other orders and give such directions as may be necessary or expedient to give effect, or better effect, to any order made under any of the provisions of sections 25 to 32.

(2)

The court may, at any time it thinks fit, extend, vary, cancel, or discharge any order made under any of the provisions of sections 26 to 32, and may vary any terms or conditions upon or subject to which any such order has been made.

(3)

In particular, but without limiting the generality of subsections (1) and (2), the court may make any 1 or more of the following orders:

(a)

an order for the sale of the relationship property or any part of the relationship property, and for the division, vesting, or settlement of the proceeds:

(b)

in the case of property owned by both spouses or partners jointly, an order vesting the property in both spouses or partners in common in such shares as the court considers just:

(c)

an order vesting the relationship property, or any part of the relationship property, in either spouse or partner:

(d)

an order postponing the vesting of any share in the relationship property, or any part of such share, until a future date specified in the order or until the occurrence of a future event specified in the order:

(e)

an order for the partition or vesting of any property:

(f)

in the case of property owned by one spouse or partner, an order vesting the property in both spouses or partners jointly or in common in shares that the court considers just:

(g)

in the case of property owned by both spouses or partners, jointly or in common, an order vesting the property in one of them:

(h)

an order for the cancellation of the settlement of a joint family home:

(i)

an order for the payment of a sum of money by one spouse or partner to the other:

(j)

an order for the transfer of land, or of any interest in land, including a lease, licence, or tenancy:

(k)

an order for the transfer of shares or stock, or of mortgages, charges, debentures, or other securities, or of the title or documents of title of any property:

(l)

an order for the transfer of rights or obligations under any instrument or contract, and an order of this kind has effect regardless of any provision or term of the instrument or contract:

(m)

an order varying the terms of any trust or settlement, other than a trust under a will or other testamentary disposition:

(n)

in the case of money or other property that is part of the separate property of one spouse or partner, an order requiring that spouse or partner to pay the money, or transfer the other property, to the other.

(4)

Where under any order made under this Act one spouse or partner is or may become liable to pay to the other a sum of money, the court may direct that it shall be paid either in 1 sum or in instalments, and either with or without security, and otherwise in such manner and subject to such conditions (including a condition requiring the payment of interest) as the court thinks fit.

(5)

Where, pursuant to this Act, the court makes an order for the sale of any relationship property and for the division, application, or settlement of the proceeds, the court may appoint a person to sell the property and divide, apply, or settle the proceeds accordingly; and the execution of any instrument by the person so appointed shall have the same force and validity as if it had been executed by the person in whom the property is vested.

(6)

Any order under this Act may, subject to the provisions of this Act, be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the court thinks fit.

(7)

Where the court, by any order under this Act, appoints a person (including a Registrar or other officer of the court) to sell any property and to divide, apply, and settle the proceeds, the court may make provision in that order for the payment of remuneration to that person and for the reimbursement of his or her expenses.

Section 33(3): replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 36(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 33(3)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(3)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(3)(f): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(3)(f): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(3)(g): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(3)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(3)(n): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 33(4): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 36(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 33(5): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 36(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 33(7): inserted, on 1 January 1984, by section 9(2) of the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act (No 2) 1983 (1983 No 145).

Section 33(7): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 36(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

34 Discretion of court as to orders

Where application is made to the court for any order under any provision of this Act, the court may, subject to the provisions of the Act, make any other order under this Act which could have been made if application for that other order had been made when the first-mentioned application was made.

Compare: 1963 No 71 s 78

Miscellaneous provisions

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 37 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

35 Attendance at hearings

Section 11A of the Family Court Act 1980 applies to the hearing of any application or appeal under this Act—

(a)

in the Family Court:

(b)

in any other court, in which case—

(i)

references in that section to the Family Court or court must be read as references to that other court; and

(ii)

references in that section to the Family Court Judge or the Judge must be read as references to the Judge presiding at the hearing.

Section 35: replaced, on 18 May 2009, by section 5 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 83).

Section 35: amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 35(a): replaced, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

35A Publication of reports of proceedings

Sections 11B to 11D of the Family Court Act 1980 apply to the publication of a report of any proceedings under this Act—

(a)

in the Family Court:

(b)

in any other court, in which case references in those sections to the Family Court or court must be read as references to that other court.

Section 35A: replaced, on 18 May 2009, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 83).

Section 35A: amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 35A(a): replaced, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

36 Evidence

[Repealed]

Section 36: repealed, on 31 March 2014, by section 17A(h) of the Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161).

37 Persons entitled to be heard

(1)

Before any order is made under this Act, such notice as the court directs shall be given to any person having an interest in the property which would be affected by the order, and any such person shall be entitled to appear and to be heard in the matter as a party to the application.

(2)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 92.

Compare: 1963 No 72 s 7(1)

Section 37(2): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 40 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 37(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

37A Court may appoint lawyer for children

(1)

The court may appoint a lawyer to represent any minor or dependent children of the marriage or, as the case requires, any minor or dependent children of the civil union or de facto relationship in any proceedings under this Act if, in the opinion of the court, special circumstances make the appointment necessary or desirable.

(2)

Fees payable to a lawyer appointed under subsection (1), and reasonable expenses incurred,—

(a)

must be determined in accordance with regulations made under section 16D of the Family Court Act 1980 or, if no such regulations are made, by the Registrar of the court; and

(b)

must be paid by 1 or more of the parties to the proceedings as ordered by the court.

(3)

[Repealed]

(4)

[Repealed]

Section 37A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 41 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 37A(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 37A(2)(a): replaced, on 31 March 2014, by section 5 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

Section 37A(2)(a): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 37A(3): repealed, on 15 July 2014, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 48).

Section 37A(4): repealed, on 15 July 2014, by section 4 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 48).

38 Inquiries, and settlement of schemes

(1)

The court may, on any application under this Act, appoint the Registrar of the court, or such other person as the court thinks fit, to make an inquiry into the matters of fact in issue between the parties, and to report thereon to the court.

(2)

A copy of every such report shall be given to the lawyer appearing for each party to the proceedings or, if any party is not represented by a lawyer, to that party. Any party may tender evidence on any matter referred to in any such report.

(3)

The court may, on any application under this Act, with the consent of the parties, appoint the Registrar of the court, or such other person as the court thinks fit, to settle a scheme in respect of the property comprised in the application and to submit it to the court for approval.

(4)

Fees payable to any person (other than the Registrar) appointed under subsection (1) or subsection (3), and reasonable expenses incurred,—

(a)

may be determined in accordance with regulations made under this Act; and

(b)

are payable out of public money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose:

provided that, if the court thinks proper, it may order any party to refund to the Crown such amount as the court specifies in respect of those fees and expenses, and that amount shall be a debt due to the Crown by that party and, in default of payment of the amount, payment thereof may be enforced, by order of the District Court or the High Court as the case may require, in the same manner as a judgment of that court.

Section 38(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 42(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 38(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 42(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 38(4): replaced, on 1 July 1994, by section 4 of the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 45).

Section 38(4)(b): replaced, on 3 June 1998, by section 3 of the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1998 (1998 No 54).

Section 38(4) proviso: amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Transfer of proceedings

Heading: inserted, on 31 March 2014, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

38A Transfer of proceedings to High Court

(1)

A Family Court Judge may order the transfer of proceedings to the High Court if the Judge is satisfied that the High Court is the more appropriate venue for dealing with the proceedings.

(2)

In considering whether to make an order under subsection (1), the Judge must have regard to—

(a)

the complexity of the proceedings or of any question in issue in the proceedings:

(b)

any proceedings before the High Court that are between the same parties and that involve related issues:

(c)

any other matter that the Judge considers relevant in the circumstances.

(3)

An order may be made under subsection (1) on—

(a)

the application of a party to the proceedings; or

(b)

the court’s initiative.

(4)

Any proceedings transferred to the High Court by an order made under subsection (1) continue in that court as if they had been properly commenced there.

Section 38A: inserted, on 31 March 2014, by section 6 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

Appeals

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 43 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

39 Right of appeal to High Court

(1)

This subsection applies to a decision of the Family Court or the District Court, in proceedings under this Act, to—

(a)

make or refuse to make an order; or

(b)

dismiss the proceedings; or

(c)

otherwise finally determine the proceedings.

(2)

A party to proceedings in which there is made a decision to which subsection (1) applies, or any other person prejudicially affected by the decision, may appeal to the High Court against the decision.

(3)

The High Court Rules 2016 and sections 126 to 130 of the District Court Act 2016, with all necessary modifications, apply to an appeal under subsection (2) as if it were an appeal under section 124 of that Act.

(4)

On the ex parte application of the appellant, the Family Court or District Court (as the case requires) may order that the appellant must not be required under section 126(1) of the District Court Act 2016 to give the Registrar of the High Court security for costs.

(5)

Subsection (4) overrides subsection (3).

(6)

If the appeal relates to proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, this section is modified by section 93.

Section 39: replaced, on 24 November 2003, by section 4 of the District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63).

Section 39(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 39(3): replaced, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 39(4): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 39(6): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

39A Procedure on appeal to High Court

[Repealed]

Section 39A: repealed, on 24 November 2003, by section 4 of the District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63).

39B Appeals to Court of Appeal

(1)

The provisions of the Senior Courts Act 2016 relating to appeals to the Court of Appeal against a decision of the High Court apply to an order or decision of the High Court under this Act.

(2)

[Repealed]

(3)

The High Court or the Court of Appeal may, if it thinks that the interests of justice so require,—

(a)

rehear the whole or any part of the evidence; or

(b)

receive further evidence.

Section 39B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 43 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 39B heading: amended, on 1 January 2004, by section 48(1) of the Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53).

Section 39B(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 183(b) of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48).

Section 39B(2): repealed, on 1 January 2004, by section 48(1) of the Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53).

Costs

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 44 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

40 Costs

Subject to any rules of procedure made for the purposes of this Act, in any proceedings under this Act the court may make such order as to costs as it thinks fit.

Registration of orders

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 45 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

41 Registration of orders

(1)

Where an order made under this Act relates to any estate or interest in land, a copy of the order sealed with the seal of the court shall, upon application by either of the parties and upon payment of the prescribed fee, be registered by the Registrar-General of Land or the Registrar of Deeds, as the case may be, or by the Mining Registrar in any case where the order relates to land comprised in a licence within the meaning of the Mining Tenures Registration Act 1962 that has not been registered under the Land Transfer Act 2017.

(2)

For the purposes of this section an order to which this section applies shall cease to have effect where—

(a)

the order is discharged or cancelled by the court under section 33(2); or

(b)

the person in whose favour and the person against whom the order is made so agree in writing and the agreement is signed and witnessed in accordance with section 21F(2), (4), and (5); or

(c)

the period for which the order was made has expired; or

(d)

the court so directs in any other case.

(3)

Where the Registrar-General of Land or the Registrar of Deeds or the Mining Registrar, as the case may be, is satisfied that an order registered under subsection (1) has ceased to have effect, he or she shall, on application in that behalf, endorse the register accordingly.

(4)

Where an order made under any of the provisions of this Act relates to any stocks, shares or other company securities, or to any other property the title to which passes upon or is evidenced by registration, the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply with all necessary modifications to such stocks, shares, securities or other property as if they were estates or interests in land.

Compare: 1963 No 71 ss 57(9), (10), (11), 59(4)

Section 41(1): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 41(2)(b): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 46 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 41(3): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Protection of spouses’ or partners’ rights

Heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Heading: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 47 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

42 Notice of interest against title

(1)

A claim to an interest, pursuant to this Act, in any land subject to the Land Transfer Act 2017 shall be deemed to be a registrable interest for the purposes of that Act.

(2)

Notice of a claim under subsection (1) shall be effected by lodging a duly completed notice in the prescribed form with the Registrar-General of Land.

(3)

Every notice so lodged shall have effect as if it were a caveat lodged pursuant to section 138 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 and the provisions of that Act, except section 141, shall apply subject to the following modifications:

(a)

any application under section 142 or 143 of that Act in respect of any notice under this section may be made to the Family Court or the District Court or the High Court; and

(b)

an order under section 146 of that Act authorising the receipt of a second notice under this section may be made by the Family Court or the District Court or the High Court.

(4)

In the case of land that is not subject to the Land Transfer Act 2017, notice of a claim to an interest pursuant to this Act may be registered in the manner in which deeds and other instruments affecting the land may be registered.

(5)

A notice under subsection (2) or subsection (4) may be registered notwithstanding that no proceedings under this Act are pending or in contemplation, and notwithstanding that there is no dispute between the parties.

Section 42(1): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 42(2): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 42(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 48(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 42(3): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 42(3): amended, on 1 June 2002, by section 65(4) of the Land Transfer (Computer Registers and Electronic Lodgement) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 11).

Section 42(3): amended, on 4 November 1982, by section 3 of the Land Transfer Amendment Act 1982 (1982 No 22).

Section 42(3)(a): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 42(3)(a): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 42(3)(a): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 48(2)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 42(3)(b): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

Section 42(3)(b): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 42(3)(b): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 48(2)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 42(4): amended, on 12 November 2018, by section 250 of the Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30).

43 Dispositions may be restrained

(1)

Where it appears to the High Court or the District Court or the Family Court that any disposition of property is about to be made, whether for value or not, by or on behalf of or by direction of or in the interests of any person in order to defeat the claim or rights of any other person (party B) under this Act, the court may, on such notice being given as the court may direct, by order restrain the making of the disposition or may order any proceeds of the disposition to be paid into court to be dealt with as the court directs.

(1A)

The court may make an order under this section on the application of party B, or (in any proceedings under this Act or otherwise) on its own initiative.

(2)

Any disposition made after an order of the court under subsection (1) restraining the making of the disposition has been served on or come to the notice of the person disposing of the property, or any auctioneer, agent, or lawyer acting in connection with the disposition, shall be void, and the court may consider any claim of any person interested and may make such order as it thinks just.

Compare: 1963 No 71 s 80

Section 43(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 43(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 49(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 43(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 49(1)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 43(1): amended, on 1 October 1981, by section 17(1) of the Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161).

Section 43(1A): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 49(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 43(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 49(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

44 Dispositions may be set aside

(1)

Where the High Court or the District Court or the Family Court is satisfied that any disposition of property has been made, whether for value or not, by or on behalf of or by direction of or in the interests of any person in order to defeat the claim or rights of any person (party B) under this Act, the court may make any order under subsection (2).

(1A)

The court may make an order under this section on the application of party B, or (in any proceedings under this Act or otherwise) on its own initiative.

(2)

In any case to which subsection (1) applies, the court may, subject to subsection (4),—

(a)

order that any person to whom the disposition was made and who received the property otherwise than in good faith and for valuable consideration, or his or her personal representative, shall transfer the property or any part thereof to such person as the court directs; or

(b)

order that any person to whom the disposition was made and who received the property otherwise than in good faith and for adequate consideration, or his or her personal representative, shall pay into court, or to such person as the court directs, a sum not exceeding the difference between the value of the consideration (if any) and the value of the property; or

(c)

order that any person who has, otherwise than in good faith and for valuable consideration, received any interest in the property from the person to whom the disposition was so made, or his or her personal representative, or any person who received that interest from any such person otherwise than in good faith and for valuable consideration, shall transfer that interest to such person as the court directs, or shall pay into court or to such person as the court directs a sum not exceeding the value of the interest.

(3)

For the purposes of giving effect to any order under subsection (2), the court may make such further order as it thinks fit.

(4)

Relief (whether under this section, or in equity, or otherwise) in any case to which subsection (1) applies shall be denied wholly or in part, if the person from whom relief is sought received the property or interest in good faith, and has so altered his or her position in reliance on his or her having an indefeasible interest in the property or interest that in the opinion of the court, having regard to all possible implications in respect of other persons, it is inequitable to grant relief, or to grant relief in full, as the case may be.

Compare: 1963 No 71 s 81

Section 44(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 44(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(1)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44(1): amended, on 1 October 1981, by section 17(1) of the Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161).

Section 44(1A): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44(2)(a): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44(2)(b): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44(2)(c): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44(4): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 50(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Orders relating to trusts

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

44A Application of sections 44B and 44C

Sections 44B and 44C do not apply to a trust under a will or other testamentary disposition.

Section 44A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

44B Court may require party to disclose information about dispositions of property to trust

(1)

In any proceedings for an order under section 25(1)(a), the court may make an order requiring a spouse or partner to disclose to the court such information as the court specifies relating to the disposition of relationship property by either or both spouses or partners to a trust since the marriage, the civil union, or the de facto relationship began.

(2)

The court may make an order under this section on the application of either party to the proceedings or on its own initiative.

Section 44B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44B(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

44C Compensation for property disposed of to trust

(1)

This section applies if the court is satisfied—

(a)

that, since the marriage, the civil union, or the de facto relationship began, either or both spouses or partners have disposed of relationship property to a trust; and

(b)

that the disposition has the effect of defeating the claim or rights of one of the spouses or partners; and

(c)

that the disposition is not one to which section 44 applies.

(2)

If this section applies, the court may make 1 or more of the following orders for the purpose of compensating the spouse or partner whose claim or rights under this Act have been defeated by the disposition:

(a)

an order requiring one spouse or partner to pay to the other spouse or partner a sum of money, whether out of relationship property or separate property:

(b)

an order requiring one spouse or partner to transfer to the other spouse or partner any property, whether the property is relationship property or separate property:

(c)

an order requiring the trustees of the trust to pay to one spouse or partner the whole or part of the income of the trust, either for a specified period or until a specified amount has been paid.

(3)

The court must not make an order under subsection (2)(c) if—

(a)

an order under subsection (2)(a) or (b) would compensate the spouse or partner; or

(b)

a third person has in good faith altered that person’s position—

(i)

in reliance on the ability of the trustees to distribute the income of the trust in terms of the instrument creating the trust; and

(ii)

in such a way that it would be unjust to make the order.

(4)

The court may make 1 or more orders under subsection (2) if it considers it just to do so, having regard to—

(a)

the value of the relationship property disposed of to the trust:

(b)

the value of the relationship property available for division:

(c)

the date or dates on which relationship property was disposed of to the trust:

(d)

whether the trust gave consideration for the property, and if so, the amount of the consideration:

(e)

whether the spouses or partners, or either of them, or any child of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship, is or has been a beneficiary of the trust:

(f)

any other relevant matter.

Section 44C: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44C(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(2)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(3)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44C(4)(e): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Orders relating to companies

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

44D Definition of qualifying company

(1)

In sections 44E and 44F, qualifying company means a company in which a controlling interest is held by, as the case requires,—

(a)

one of the spouses or partners; or

(b)

the estate of the deceased spouse or partner.

(2)

For the purposes of this section, a person holds a controlling interest in a company if that person holds (whether directly or indirectly) equity securities in that company that carry in the aggregate 50% or more of the voting rights at a general meeting of the company.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, a person holds equity securities in a company (company A) if—

(a)

that person is beneficially entitled to, or is beneficially entitled to an interest in, any equity securities in that company (whether or not the whole or any part of the legal ownership of the equity securities is vested in that person); or

(b)

that person holds a controlling interest in another company (company B) that holds equity securities in company A.

(4)

For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), equity security has the same meaning as in section 8 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

Section 44D: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44D(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44D(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44D(4): amended, on 1 December 2014, by section 150 of the Financial Markets (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2013 (2013 No 70).

44E Court may require party to disclose information about dispositions of property to qualifying company

(1)

In any proceedings for an order under section 25(1)(a), the court may make an order requiring a spouse or partner to disclose to the court such information as the court specifies relating to the disposition of relationship property by either or both spouses or partners to a qualifying company since the marriage or the civil union or the de facto relationship began.

(2)

The court may make the order under this section on the application of either party to the proceedings or on its own initiative.

Section 44E: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44E(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44E(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44E(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

44F Compensation for property disposed of to qualifying company

(1)

This section applies if the court is satisfied—

(a)

that, since the marriage or the civil union or the de facto relationship began, either or both spouses or partners have disposed of relationship property to a qualifying company; and

(b)

that the disposition has the effect of defeating the claim or rights of one of the spouses or partners; and

(c)

that the disposition is not one to which section 44 applies.

(2)

(a)

an order requiring one spouse or partner to pay to the other spouse or partner a sum of money, whether out of relationship property or separate property:

(b)

an order requiring one spouse or partner to transfer to the other spouse or partner any property, whether the property is relationship property or separate property.

(3)

The court may make 1 or more orders under subsection (2) if it considers it just to do so, having regard to—

(a)

the value of the relationship property disposed of to the qualifying company:

(b)

the value of the relationship property available for division:

(c)

the date or dates on which relationship property was disposed of to the qualifying company:

(d)

whether the company gave consideration for the property, and if so, the amount of the consideration:

(e)

any other relevant matter.

Section 44F: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 44F(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44F(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44F(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44F(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44F(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 44F(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Family chattels not to be disposed of while proceedings pending

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 51 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

45 Family chattels not to be disposed of

(1)

Where proceedings are pending under this Act, no party knowing that the proceedings are pending shall, without the leave of a Judge of the High Court or a District Court Judge or a Family Court Judge or a Registrar, or the consent in writing of the other party, sell, charge, or dispose of any of the family chattels or (except in an emergency) remove from the family home or homes any of the family chattels which are household appliances or effects or which form part of the furniture of that home or those homes.

(2)

Any person who does any act in contravention of the provisions of this section commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to a fine not exceeding $2,000, or to both.

Compare: 1968 No 62 s 43; 1971 No 59 s 7

Section 45(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 52(1)(a) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 45(1): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 52(1)(b) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 45(1): amended, on 1 October 1981, by section 17(1) of the Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161).

Section 45(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).

Section 45(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 52(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Protection of creditors

46 Protection of mortgagee

Subject to the provisions of sections 42 to 44, the rights conferred on a spouse or partner by any order made under this Act shall be subject to the rights of the persons entitled to the benefit of any mortgage, security, charge, or encumbrance affecting the property in respect of which the order is made if it was registered before the order was registered or if the rights of that person arise under an instrument executed before the date of the making of the order:

provided that, notwithstanding anything in any enactment or in any instrument, no money payable under any such mortgage, security, charge, or encumbrance shall be called up or become due by reason of the making of any such order, not being an order directing the sale of any property.

Compare: 1963 No 72 s 8; 1968 No 61 s 10

Section 46: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 46: amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 53 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

47 Agreements to defeat creditors void

(1)

Any agreement, disposition, or other transaction between spouses or partners with respect to their relationship property and intended to defeat creditors of either spouse or partner is void against those creditors and the Official Assignee.

(2)

Any such agreement, disposition, or other transaction that was not so intended but that has the effect of defeating such creditors is void against such creditors and the Official Assignee during the period of 2 years after it is made, but only to the extent that it has that effect.

(3)

For the purposes of subsection (2), an agreement between spouses or partners with respect to their relationship property is deemed to have been made for valuable consideration if—

(a)

a situation described in section 25(2) has arisen; and

(b)

the agreement is made for the purpose of settling (wholly or in part) their rights under this Act with respect to that property.

(4)

Nothing in this section applies to any gift by one spouse or partner to the other spouse or partner, if the gift is made on a customary occasion and is reasonable in amount having regard to the donor’s means and liabilities.

(5)

This section applies regardless of any other provision of this Act.

Section 47: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 54 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 47(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 47(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 47(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 47(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Further miscellaneous provisions

Heading: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 55 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

48 Incidence of orders against personal representative of spouse

[Repealed]

Section 48: repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 56 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

49 Legal capacity of married women

(1)

Except as provided in any enactment, the rights, privileges, powers, capacities, duties, and liabilities of a married woman shall, for all the purposes of the law of New Zealand (whether substantive, procedural, or otherwise), be the same in all respects as those of a married man, whether she is acting in a personal, official, representative, or fiduciary capacity.

(2)

This section shall apply to every married woman whether she was married before or after the commencement of this Act, and whether the marriage was solemnised in New Zealand or not, and whether she is or was at any relevant time domiciled in New Zealand or not.

50 No restraints upon anticipation

As from the commencement of this Act, no restriction upon anticipation or alienation attached to the enjoyment of any property, being a restriction preserved by section 4 of the Married Women’s Property Act 1952, shall be operative or have any effect.

51 Proceedings in tort

(1)

Subject to this section, each of the parties to a marriage or civil union shall have the like right of action in tort against the other as if they were not married or in a civil union.

(2)

Where one of the parties to a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship brings an action in tort against the other during the subsistence of the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship, the court may at any stage of the proceedings, on application or of its own motion, stay the action if it appears that—

(a)

no substantial benefit, whether material or otherwise, would accrue to either party by the continuation of the proceedings; or

(b)

the proceedings are vexatious in character; or

(c)

the question or questions in issue could more conveniently be disposed of on an application made under this Act.

(3)

Without limiting the provisions of subsection (2)(c), the court may in any such action exercise any power which could be exercised on an application under this Act or give such directions as it thinks fit for the disposal under this Act of any question arising in the proceedings.

(4)

In an action to which this section applies, judgment by default shall not be entered except with the leave of the court. An application for the grant of such leave must be served on the defendant.

(5)

In this section the term court means the High Court, the District Court, or the Family Court, but the District Court must not exercise any power which could be exercised on an application under this Act unless it is empowered to do so under any enactment (other than this section).

Compare: 1963 No 72 s 4(1)–(4)

Section 51(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 51(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 51(2): amended, on 1 February 2002, by section 57 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 51(5): inserted, on 1 October 1981, by section 17(1) of the Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161).

Section 51(5): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

52 Minors may apply without guardian ad litem

Notwithstanding any enactment or rule of law, a minor who is or has been married or in a civil union may bring, institute, or defend proceedings under this Act without a guardian ad litem or next friend, and every judgment or order of the court under this Act shall be binding upon and may be enforced against such a minor as if he or she were of full age.

Section 52: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

52A Priority of claims where marriage or civil union and de facto relationship

(1)

This section applies in respect of relationship property if—

(a)

competing claims are made for property orders in respect of that property, one claim being in respect of a marriage or civil union, as the case may be, and the other claim being in respect of a de facto relationship; and

(b)

there is insufficient property to satisfy the property orders made under this Act.

(2)

If this section applies, the relationship property is to be divided as follows:

(a)

if the marriage or civil union and the de facto relationship are successive (regardless of the order in which they occur), then in accordance with the chronological order of the marriage or civil union and the de facto relationship:

(b)

if the marriage or civil union and the de facto relationship were at some time contemporaneous, then,—

(i)

to the extent possible, the property order relating to the marriage or civil union must be satisfied from the property that is attributable to that marriage or civil union; and

(ii)

to the extent possible, the property order relating to the de facto relationship must be satisfied from the property that is attributable to that de facto relationship; and

(iii)

to the extent that it is not possible to attribute all or any of the property to either the marriage or civil union or the de facto relationship, the property is to be divided in accordance with the contribution of the marriage or civil union and the de facto relationship to the acquisition of the property.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, a marriage and a de facto relationship are successive if the de facto relationship begins during the marriage, but after the spouses cease to live together as a married couple.

(3A)

For the purposes of this section, a civil union and a de facto relationship are successive if the de facto relationship begins during the civil union, but after the civil union partners cease to live together as civil union partners.

(4)

In this section, and in section 52B, property order—

(a)

means an order made under any of sections 25 to 31, and 33; and

(b)

includes a declaration made under section 25(3).

Section 52A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 58 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 52A heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 52A(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 52A(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 52A(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 52A(2)(b)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 52A(2)(b)(iii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 52A(3): amended, on 19 August 2013, by section 9 of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20).

Section 52A(3A): inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

52B Priority of claims where 2 de facto relationships

(1)

This section applies in respect of relationship property if—

(a)

competing claims are made for property orders in respect of that property but in relation to different de facto relationships; and

(b)

there is insufficient property to satisfy the property orders made under this Act.

(2)

If this section applies, the relationship property is to be divided as follows:

(a)

if the de facto relationships are successive, then in accordance with the chronological order of the de facto relationships:

(b)

if the de facto relationships were at some time contemporaneous, then,—

(i)

to the extent possible, the property orders must be satisfied from the property that is attributable to each de facto relationship; and

(ii)

to the extent that it is not possible to attribute all or any of the property to either de facto relationship, the property is to be divided in accordance with the contribution of each de facto relationship to the acquisition of the property.

Section 52B: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 58 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

53 Rules of court and regulations

(1)

Rules may from time to time be made in the manner prescribed by the Senior Courts Act 2016 relating to the procedure of the High Court under this Act and to appeals to the Court of Appeal under this Act.

(1A)

Rules may be made under section 16A of the Family Court Act 1980 relating to the practice and procedure of the Family Court in proceedings under this Act.

(2)

The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations under section 156 of the Senior Courts Act 2016 for the purposes of this Act.

(2A)

The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations—

(a)

[Repealed]

(b)

making provision for determining the amount of fees and expenses payable to any person (other than the Registrar) appointed under subsection (1) or subsection (3) of section 38:

(ba)

requiring the personal representative of a deceased spouse or partner to provide the surviving spouse or partner with information about the estate of the deceased spouse or partner; and providing for the enforcement of any such requirement (including, without limitation, providing for the court, on the application of the surviving spouse or partner, to order the personal representative to provide all or any of the relevant information):

(c)

providing for such other matters as are contemplated by or necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and for its due administration.

(3)

In addition to all other powers conferred by the District Court Act 2016, the Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, make rules regulating the procedure of the District Court in proceedings under this Act, and providing for such other matters as are contemplated by or necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and its due administration.

(3A)

Without limiting the generality of the powers conferred by subsections (1) and (3) or section 16A of the Family Court Act 1980, rules made under any of those provisions may require any party to proceedings under this Act to supply to the other party to the proceedings particulars of the nature and value of the property of the first-mentioned party that could be the subject of any order in those proceedings.

(4)

In the absence of any rules under this section, or in any situation not covered by those rules, the rules in relation to civil proceedings for the time being in force under the Senior Courts Act 2016 apply with all necessary modifications to proceedings under this Act that are brought or dealt with in the High Court.

(5)

The following are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements):

(a)

regulations under subsection (2A):

(b)

rules under subsection (3).

(6)

See section 148 of the Senior Courts Act 2016, section 228 of the District Court Act 2016, and section 16A of the Family Court Act 1980, which provide that court rules are secondary legislation.

Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section
Publication	PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette	LA19 s 69(1)(c)
Presentation	The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives	LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a)
Disallowance	It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives	LA19 ss 115, 116
This note is not part of the Act.

Section 53(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 183(b) of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48).

Section 53(1): amended, on 1 April 1980, pursuant to section 12 of the Judicature Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 124).

Section 53(1A): inserted, on 13 September 2002, by section 6 of the Family Courts Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 65).

Section 53(1A): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 53(2): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 183(b) of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48).

Section 53(2A): inserted, on 1 July 1994, by section 5 of the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 45).

Section 53(2A)(a): repealed, on 31 March 2014, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82).

Section 53(2A)(ba): inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 59(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 53(2A)(ba): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 53(3): replaced, on 1 October 1981, by section 17(1) of the Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161).

Section 53(3): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 53(3A): replaced, on 13 September 2002, by section 6 of the Family Courts Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 65).

Section 53(3A): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

Section 53(4): replaced, on 13 September 2002, by section 6 of the Family Courts Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 65).

Section 53(4): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 183(b) of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48).

Section 53(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 53(6): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

53A Power to prescribe specified sum

(1)

The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, prescribe the amount that is the specified sum for the purposes of section 20B.

(2)

Until a different amount is prescribed under this section, the specified sum is $103,000.

(3)

An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section
Publication	PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette	LA19 s 69(1)(c)
Presentation	The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives	LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a)
Disallowance	It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives	LA19 ss 115, 116
This note is not part of the Act.

Section 53A: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 60 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 53A(2): amended, on 12 December 2002, by clause 3 of the Property (Relationships) Specified Sum Order 2002 (SR 2002/363).

Section 53A(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

54 Exemption from stamp duty

[Repealed]

Section 54: repealed, on 20 May 1999, by section 7 of the Stamp Duty Abolition Act 1999 (1999 No 61).

Part 8 Division of property where one spouse or partner dies

Part 8 heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Part 8 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Application of this Part

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

55 Application of this Part

(1)

This Part applies where—

(a)

a marriage has ended when one of the spouses dies; or

(ab)

a civil union has ended when one of the civil union partners dies; or

(b)

a de facto relationship has ended when one of the de facto partners dies.

(2)

This Part also applies if,—

(a)

after a marriage has ended by separation or dissolution, one of the spouses dies, and no proceedings under Part 7 are commenced before the spouse’s death; or

(ab)

after a civil union has ended by separation or dissolution, one of the civil union partners dies, and no proceedings under Part 7 are commenced before the civil union partner’s death; or

(b)

after a de facto relationship has ended (other than by the death of one of the de facto partners), one of the de facto partners dies, and no proceedings under Part 7 are commenced before the de facto partner’s death.

Section 55: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 55(1)(ab): inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 55(2)(ab): inserted, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

56 Application to existing and future wills

In the application of this Act to a spouse or partner who dies on or after 1 February 2002 and who has made a will, it does not matter whether the will was made before, on, or after that date.

Section 56: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 56: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

57 Application under Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 or Family Protection Act 1955 not precluded

Nothing in this Act prevents a person from making an application under the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 or the Family Protection Act 1955 in respect of the estate of his or her deceased spouse or partner.

Section 57: replaced, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 57: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Death of spouse or partner

Insolvent deceased spouse or partner

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

58 Rights of creditors preserved

(1)

If, had this Act not been passed, any property would have become vested in an appointee (within the meaning of section 378(1) of the Insolvency Act 2006) on an order being made under section 379 of that Act to administer the estate of a deceased spouse or partner under Part 6 of that Act, then that property (and no other property) becomes vested in an appointee as if this Act had not been passed.

(2)

If, had this Act not been passed, any property that is included in the estate of a deceased spouse or partner could have been dealt with in accordance with section 31 of the Administration Act 1969, then that property (and no other property) may be dealt with under that section as if this Act had not been passed.

Section 58: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 58(1): replaced, on 3 December 2007, by section 445 of the Insolvency Act 2006 (2006 No 55).

Section 58(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

59 Payment of protected interest where estate insolvent

(1)

This section applies in the following cases:

(a)

if, after the death of a spouse or partner, the family home (including a homestead) or, if section 11A applies, the proceeds of the sale of the family home vest in an appointee (within the meaning of section 378(1) of the Insolvency Act 2006) on an order being made under section 379 of that Act to administer the estate of a deceased spouse or partner under Part 6 of that Act:

(b)

if, after the death of a spouse or partner, the family home (including a homestead) or, if section 11A applies, the proceeds of the sale of the family home may be dealt with in accordance with section 31 of the Administration Act 1969.

(2)

If this section applies, the appointee (in any case where subsection (1)(a) applies) or the administrator of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner (in any case where subsection (1)(b) applies) must pay to the surviving spouse or partner the lesser of—

(a)

the amount of the protected interest of the surviving spouse or partner; or

(b)

so much of that amount as remains after the appointee or, as the case requires, the administrator has paid the debts specified in subsection (3).

(3)

The debts referred to in subsection (2)(b) are as follows:

(a)

any debts secured on the family home or homestead or, as the case may be, the proceeds of sale of the family home:

(b)

any unsecured debt incurred—

(i)

by the spouses or partners jointly; or

(ii)

by the deceased spouse or partner, for the purpose of acquiring, improving, or repairing the family home.

(4)

If, in any case to which this section applies, section 11B applies, the appointee or, as the case requires, the administrator must pay to the surviving spouse or partner such amount in satisfaction of the protected interest of that spouse or partner as the court may direct, on application by the appointee or the administrator (as the case requires) or on application by the surviving spouse or partner.

Section 59: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 59(1)(a): replaced, on 3 December 2007, by section 445 of the Insolvency Act 2006 (2006 No 55).

Section 59(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 59(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 59(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 59(3)(b)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 59(3)(b)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 59(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Proceedings commenced while both spouses or partners alive

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

60 Incidence of orders against personal representative of spouse or partner

(1)

This section applies when—

(a)

proceedings are commenced while both spouses or partners are alive; and

(b)

one spouse or partner dies before the proceedings are completed; and

(c)

the court makes an order under this Act against the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner.

(2)

The incidence of any order made under this Act by the court against the personal representative of a deceased spouse or partner falls rateably upon such part of the estate of the deceased as consists of relationship property.

(3)

However, the court may order that the incidence of the order—

(a)

falls rateably on the whole estate of the deceased; or

(b)

falls on any specified portion of the estate or on any specified property.

(4)

Where the court makes any order under subsection (3),—

(a)

the court has power to exonerate any part of the estate of the deceased from the incidence of the order made under this Act, after hearing such of the parties who may be affected by the exoneration as the court thinks necessary, and may for that purpose direct any personal representative to represent, or appoint any person to represent, any such party:

(b)

the court has power at any time to fix a periodical payment or lump sum to be paid by any beneficiary in the estate of the deceased to represent, or in commutation of, any liability under the order that falls upon the portion of the estate in which he or she is interested, and to exonerate that portion from further liability and to direct in what manner the payment is to be secured.

(5)

For the purposes of subsections (2) to (4), in cases where the authority of the court does not extend and cannot directly or indirectly be made to extend to the whole estate, the estate of the deceased includes only so much of it as is subject to the authority of the court.

(6)

Where the court makes any order under this Act against the personal representative of a deceased spouse or partner (other than an order made under section 27 or section 28), the property comprised in that order does not form part of the estate of the deceased for the purposes of the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 or of the Family Protection Act 1955.

(7)

In proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners, section 94 applies instead of this section.

Section 60: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 60 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 60(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 60(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 60(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 60(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 60(6): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 60(7): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Surviving spouse or partner may choose between division under this Act and taking under will or intestacy

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

61 Surviving spouse or partner may choose option

(1)

If one of the spouses or partners has died (except in a situation described in section 10D(1)), the surviving spouse or partner may choose option A or option B.

(2)

Option A is to elect to make an application under this Act for a division of the relationship property.

(3)

Option B is as follows:

(a)

to elect not to make an application under this Act for a division of the relationship property; and

(b)

if the surviving spouse or partner is a beneficiary under the will of the deceased spouse or partner, to receive that property; and

(c)

if the surviving spouse or partner is entitled to a beneficial interest on the intestacy or partial intestacy of the deceased spouse or partner, to receive that interest.

Section 61: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 61 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 61(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 61(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 61(3)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 61(3)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

62 Time limit for making choice

(1)

A surviving spouse or partner who wishes to choose option A or option B must make that choice within the following time limits:

(a)

if the estate of the deceased spouse or partner is a small estate (as defined in section 2), the choice must be made—

(i)

no later than 6 months after the date of the death of the deceased spouse or partner; or

(ii)

if administration of the estate is granted in New Zealand within that period, no later than 6 months after the grant of administration,—

whichever is the later:

(b)

in any other case, the choice must be made no later than 6 months after administration of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner is granted in New Zealand.

(2)

Regardless of subsection (1), but subject to subsection (4), the court may extend the time for making that choice after hearing—

(a)

the applicant; and

(b)

any other persons who the court considers should be heard.

(3)

The court’s power under this section extends to cases where the time for making the choice has already expired, including cases where it expired before the commencement, on 1 February 2002, of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001.

(4)

The court may not grant an extension of time under subsection (2) unless the application for the extension is made before the final distribution of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 62: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 62(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 62(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 62(1)(a)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 62(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 62(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

63 Surviving spouse or partner may not commence proceedings before making election

A surviving spouse or partner may not apply under this Act for a division of the relationship property unless—

(a)

the surviving spouse or partner has first chosen option A; or

(b)

in the case of a surviving spouse or civil union partner, section 64 applies.

Section 63: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 63 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 63: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 63(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 63(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

64 Position of surviving spouse or civil union partner if separation order made or marriage or civil union dissolved

A surviving spouse or civil union partner may apply under this Act for a division of the relationship property without having first chosen option A if he or she is in one of the following situations:

(a)

a separation order is in force in relation to the marriage or civil union when the deceased spouse or civil union partner dies:

(b)

the marriage was ended while both spouses were alive by a legal process that occurred within or outside New Zealand:

(c)

the civil union was ended while both civil union partners were alive by a legal process that occurred within New Zealand.

Section 64: replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 64(a): amended, on 1 November 2007, by section 41 of the Wills Act 2007 (2007 No 36).

65 How choice to be made

(1)

A surviving spouse or partner who wishes to choose option A or option B must complete and sign a written notice indicating that choice.

(2)

The notice—

(a)

must be in the prescribed form; and

(b)

must include or be accompanied by a certificate—

(i)

signed by a lawyer; and

(ii)

certifying that the lawyer has explained to the surviving spouse or partner the effect and implications of the notice; and

(c)

must be lodged—

(i)

with the administrator of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner; or

(ii)

if administration of that estate has not been granted in New Zealand, in the registry of the High Court in which an application for a grant of administration of that estate would, under the High Court Rules 2016, be required to be filed.

(3)

A notice given under subsection (2) by a minor has effect as if the minor were of full age.

(4)

A choice of option is effective when a notice indicating the choice is lodged in accordance with subsection (2)(c).

Section 65: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 65(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 65(2)(b)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 65(2)(c)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 65(2)(c)(ii): amended, on 18 October 2016, by section 183(c) of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48).

66 Choice of option to be notified to certain persons

(1)

If a notice is lodged in accordance with section 65(2)(c)(ii), the surviving spouse or partner (the survivor) must, without delay, give a copy or copies of the notice in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).

(2)

If, at the time of his or her death, the deceased spouse or partner was the registered holder of any government stock or local authorities stock (as those terms are defined in section 64(2) of the Administration Act 1969) to which that section applies, the survivor must give a copy of the notice to—

(a)

the registrar of that stock (if paragraph (b) does not apply); or

(b)

any person who has been registered as the holder of that stock in reliance on that section.

(3)

If, at the time of his or her death, the deceased spouse or partner was the registered holder of shares or debentures to which section 64A of the Administration Act 1969 applies, the survivor must give a copy of the notice to—

(a)

the directors of the company that issued the shares or debentures (if paragraph (b) does not apply); or

(b)

any person who has been registered as the holder of those shares or debentures in reliance on that section.

(4)

If the death of the deceased spouse or partner means that any sum of money may be paid, under section 65 of the Administration Act 1969, by any person, the survivor must give a copy of the notice to—

(a)

the person authorised under that section to make payment of that sum (if paragraph (b) does not apply); or

(b)

any person to whom that sum or part of that sum has been paid in reliance on that section (other than subsection (3)).

Section 66: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 66(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 66(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 66(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 66(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

67 Choice irrevocable

(1)

Once a surviving spouse or partner has chosen option A or option B, that choice cannot be revoked.

(2)

This section is subject to the court’s power under section 69 to set aside a choice of option.

Section 67: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 67(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

68 Effect of failure to make choice

(1)

If a surviving spouse or partner does not choose option A or option B, in the manner required by section 65 and within the time required by section 62(1) (or any extension of that time granted under section 62(2)), then the surviving spouse or partner is to be treated as having chosen option B.

(2)

The court may, under section 69, set aside a choice of option imposed by this section.

Section 68: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 68(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

69 Chosen option may be set aside

(1)

If a surviving spouse or partner has chosen option A or option B, the court, on application by that spouse or partner, may set that choice aside.

(2)

The court may set aside a choice of option only if—

(a)

it is satisfied that any of the following apply:

(i)

that the choice of option was not freely made:

(ii)

that the surviving spouse or partner did not fully understand the effect and implications of the choice:

(iii)

that since the choice of option was made, the surviving spouse or partner has become aware of information relevant to the making of a choice of option:

(iv)

that since the choice of option was made, a person (other than the surviving spouse or partner) has made an application under the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949 or the Family Protection Act 1955 in respect of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner; and

(b)

having regard to all the circumstances, it is satisfied that it would be unjust to enforce the choice of option.

(3)

In deciding whether or not to set aside a choice of option, the court must have regard to the following matters:

(a)

the circumstances in which the choice of option was made:

(b)

the length of time since the choice was made:

(c)

any other matters that the court considers relevant.

Section 69: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 69(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 69(2)(a)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 69(2)(a)(iii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 69(2)(a)(iv): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

70 Choice may not be set aside if estate finally distributed

The court may not set aside a choice of option under section 69 unless the application under that section is made before the final distribution of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 70: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 70: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Distribution of estates

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

71 Distribution of estate before choice made

(1)

The administrator or trustee of the estate of a deceased spouse or partner must not distribute any part of that estate before—

(a)

the expiry of 6 months after administration of that estate is granted in New Zealand; or

(b)

the surviving spouse or partner chooses option A or option B,—

whichever happens first.

(2)

Despite subsection (1), a distribution may be made in the following cases:

(a)

where section 47(2) of the Administration Act 1969 applies to the distribution:

(b)

where the surviving spouse or partner consents in writing to the distribution:

(c)

where the court, on application made to it for the purpose, approves the distribution.

Section 71: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 71(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 71(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 71(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

72 Distribution of estate after choice made but before proceedings commenced

(1)

If a surviving spouse or partner chooses option A, the administrator or trustee of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner must not distribute any part of the estate before—

(a)

the surviving spouse or partner applies for a division of relationship property under this Act; or

(b)

the expiry of the period specified in section 62(1) (or any extension of that period granted under section 62(2)),—

whichever happens first.

(2)

Despite subsection (1), a distribution may be made in any of the cases referred to in section 71(2).

Section 72: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 72(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 72(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

73 Distribution of estate while proceedings pending

(1)

The administrator or trustee of the estate of a deceased spouse or partner must not distribute any part of that estate while proceedings are pending in respect of that estate.

(2)

Despite subsection (1), a distribution may be made in any of the cases referred to in section 71(2).

(3)

For the purposes of this section, proceedings are pending—

(a)

from the date on which the proceedings are commenced until—

(i)

the proceedings are finally determined; or

(ii)

the proceedings are withdrawn,—

whichever happens first; and

(b)

on and from the date on which the proceedings are finally determined until—

(i)

the time for appealing against the decision of the court expires, if no such appeal has been commenced; or

(ii)

if an appeal against the decision of the court is commenced, when the appeal is finally determined or is withdrawn, whichever occurs first; and

(c)

while any further right of appeal (whether to the Court of Appeal or to the Supreme Court) subsists in relation to the proceedings, or while any such further appeal awaits determination.

Section 73: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 73(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 73(3)(c): amended, on 1 January 2004, by section 48(1) of the Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53).

74 Distribution of estate not to be disturbed

(1)

This section applies where any part of the estate of a deceased spouse or partner has been distributed—

(a)

before the personal representative of that spouse or partner receives notice that an application has been made to the court—

(i)

under section 62(2) for an extension of the time for choosing option A or option B; or

(ii)

under section 69 for the setting aside of a choice of option A or option B; or

(iii)

under section 77 for an order that a surviving spouse or partner who has chosen option A may also take under the will of the deceased spouse or partner or on his or her intestacy or partial intestacy; or

(iv)

under section 89(2) or section 90(2) for an extension of the time for making an application; and

(b)

after every notice (if any) of an intention to make an application has lapsed in accordance with section 48(1) of the Administration Act 1969.

(2)

Where this section applies,—

(a)

the making of the application does not disturb the distribution; and

(b)

no order made in respect of the application may disturb the distribution; and

(c)

no action lies against the personal representative for having made the distribution.

Section 74: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 74(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 74(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 74(1)(a)(iii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Effect of choice of division under this Act (option A)

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

75 Effect on application of Act of choice of division under this Act

If the surviving spouse or partner chooses option A,—

(a)

sections 76 to 78 apply to the proceedings; and

(b)

sections 2 to 53A apply to the proceedings, but some of the sections are modified or affected by sections 79 to 94.

Section 75: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 75: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

76 Effect on will or intestacy of choice of division under this Act

(1)

Unless the will (if any) of the deceased spouse or partner expresses a contrary intention,—

(a)

every gift to the surviving spouse or partner in the will of the deceased spouse or partner (if any) is to be treated (for all purposes) as having been revoked; and

(b)

the will of the deceased spouse or partner (if any) is to be interpreted as if the surviving spouse or partner had died before the deceased spouse or partner; and

(c)

the estate of the deceased spouse or partner must be distributed accordingly.

(2)

The reference in subsection (1)(a) to gifts to the surviving spouse or partner in the will of the deceased spouse or partner includes the whole of the interest of the surviving spouse or partner as a beneficiary in any real or personal property to which the surviving spouse or partner would otherwise be entitled under the will of the deceased spouse or partner.

(3)

The surviving spouse or partner has no entitlement under Part 3 of the Administration Act 1969.

(4)

This section is subject to section 77.

Section 76: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 76(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 76(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 76(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 76(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 76(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 76(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

77 Court may permit surviving spouse or partner to take under will or on intestacy

(1)

Despite section 76, if the court is satisfied that it is necessary to avoid injustice, the court may, on the application of a surviving spouse or partner who has chosen option A,—

(a)

order that the surviving spouse or partner may also receive all or any of the gifts to the surviving spouse or partner in the will of the deceased spouse or partner, as the court thinks fit:

(b)

order that the surviving spouse or partner may also receive all or part of the beneficial interest to which the surviving spouse or partner is entitled on the intestacy or partial intestacy of the deceased spouse or partner, as the court thinks fit.

(2)

If the court makes an order under this section, the estate of the deceased spouse or partner must be distributed accordingly.

(3)

The court may not make an order under this section unless the application under this section is made before the final distribution of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 77: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 77 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 77(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 77(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 77(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 77(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 77(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

78 Priority of entitlement of surviving spouse or partner

(1)

The entitlement of a surviving spouse or partner to any property or payment under an order or agreement made under this Act has priority over—

(a)

any beneficial interest to which any person is entitled under the will (if any) of the deceased spouse or partner; and

(b)

any beneficial interest to which any person is entitled on the intestacy or partial intestacy of the deceased spouse or partner; and

(c)

any order made in respect of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner under the Family Protection Act 1955 or the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949; and

(d)

all duties and fees payable in respect of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner under any Act imposing or charging duties or fees on the estate of the deceased person.

(2)

Despite subsection (1), the following have priority over the entitlement of a surviving spouse or partner under this Act to any property or payment:

(a)

all debts properly incurred by the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner in the ordinary course of administration of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner:

(b)

the reasonable funeral expenses of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 78: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 78 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(1)(c): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(1)(d): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 78(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Sections modifying or affecting earlier sections in proceedings commenced after death of spouse or partner

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

79 Date at which shares determined

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, the share of a spouse or partner in the relationship property is to be determined as at the following date:

(a)

if the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends while both spouses or partners are alive, the date on which the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends:

(b)

if the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship does not end while both spouses or partners are alive, the date of the death of the deceased spouse or partner.

(2)

This section is subject to Part 6 and section 87.

Section 79: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 79(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 79(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 79(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 79(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 79(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 79(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

80 Classification of property

(1)

This section applies where the classification of any property as relationship property or as any particular type of relationship property depends on the use to which it has been put.

(2)

Where this section applies, that classification is to be determined,—

(a)

if the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends while both spouses or partners are alive, by the use to which they put the property while they lived together:

(b)

if the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship does not end while both spouses or partners are alive, by the use to which they were putting the property at the date of the death of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 80: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 80(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 80(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 80(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 80(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 80(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

81 Presumption that property of deceased spouse or partner is relationship property

(1)

All the property that was owned by the deceased spouse or partner at his or her death is presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be relationship property.

(2)

A person who asserts that any property to which the presumption in subsection (1) applies is not relationship property has the burden of proving that assertion.

(3)

This section is subject to Part 6 and section 87.

(4)

Nothing in this section applies to property to which section 10(2) applies.

Section 81: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 81 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 81(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

82 Presumption that property acquired by estate of deceased spouse or partner is relationship property

(1)

Property acquired by the estate of the deceased spouse or partner, and the proceeds of a disposition of such property, and property acquired out of such property is presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be relationship property.

(2)

A person who asserts that any property to which the presumption in subsection (1) applies is not relationship property has the burden of proving that assertion.

(3)

This section is subject to Part 6 and section 87.

(4)

Nothing in this section applies to property to which section 10(2) applies.

Section 82: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 82 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 82(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

83 Relationship property defined

(1)

If, on the death of a spouse or partner, any property of that spouse or partner passes to the surviving spouse or partner, whether by survivorship or otherwise (but not by succession), then unless, in any proceedings under this Act, the court decides otherwise,—

(a)

that property is not automatically to be treated as the separate property of the surviving spouse or partner; and

(b)

the status of the property as relationship property or separate property is to be determined according to the status it would have had if the deceased spouse or partner had not died.

(2)

This section is subject to Part 6 and section 87.

Section 83: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 83(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 83(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 83(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

84 Separate property defined

All property acquired by the surviving spouse or partner after the death of the deceased spouse or partner is separate property unless the court considers that it is just in the circumstances to treat the property or any part of it as relationship property.

Section 84: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 84: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

85 Marriages, civil unions, and de facto relationships of short duration

(1)

If a marriage or civil union was a relationship of short duration (as defined in section 2E), the share of the surviving spouse or civil union partner in the relationship property is determined in accordance with sections 11 to 13.

(2)

Section 14 applies to a marriage or civil union to which subsection (1) applies only if the court, having regard to all the circumstances of the marriage or civil union, considers that the application of sections 11 to 12 would be unjust.

(3)

If a de facto relationship is a relationship of short duration (as defined in section 2E), the court cannot make an order under this Act for the division of relationship property unless—

(a)

the court is satisfied—

(i)

that there is a child of the de facto relationship; or

(ii)

that the surviving de facto partner or, on an application made by the deceased de facto partner’s personal representative, the deceased de facto partner has made a substantial contribution to the de facto relationship; and

(b)

the court is satisfied that failure to make the order would result in serious injustice.

(4)

If subsection (3) applies, and the court is satisfied that the grounds specified in that subsection for making an order on an application made under this Act are made out, the share of the surviving de facto partner and of the deceased de facto partner’s estate in the relationship property is to be determined in accordance with the contribution of each de facto partner to the de facto relationship.

Section 85: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 85 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 85(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 85(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

86 Compensation for actions after separation or death

(1)

If this Part applies, then for the purposes of sections 18B and 18C, relevant period means,—

(a)

if the spouses or partners cease to live together while both are alive, the period after they cease to live together but before the date of the hearing of an application under this Act by the court of first instance:

(b)

if the spouses or partners do not cease to live together while both are alive, the period after the death of the deceased spouse or partner but before the date of the hearing of an application under this Act by the court of first instance.

(2)

The court may exercise the power in section 18B(2) if, during the relevant period, one of the spouses or partners or the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner has done anything that would have been a contribution to the marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship if the spouses or partners had not ceased to live together or if one of them had not died.

(3)

The court may exercise the power in section 18C(2) if, during the relevant period, the relationship property has been materially diminished in value by the deliberate action or inaction of—

(a)

the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner; or

(b)

the surviving spouse or partner.

Section 86: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 86(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(3) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(3)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 86(3)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

87 Surviving spouse or partner may challenge agreement

(1)

This section applies if—

(a)

the spouses or partners make an agreement under section 21 defining the share of the relationship property or any part of it that each is entitled to on the death of one of them; and

(b)

one of them dies.

(2)

If this section applies,—

(a)

the surviving spouse or partner may apply to the court—

(i)

to have the agreement declared void for non-compliance with a requirement of section 21F:

(ii)

to have the agreement set aside under section 21J; and

(b)

the surviving spouse or partner may make the application either before or after exercising the option in section 61.

(3)

In deciding, under section 21J, whether giving effect to an agreement to which this section applies would cause serious injustice, the court must have regard, in addition to all other relevant circumstances, to whether the estate of the deceased spouse or partner has been wholly or partly distributed.

(4)

This section is subject to section 47.

Section 87: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 87 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 87(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 87(2)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 87(2)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 87(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

88 Who can apply

(1)

The following persons may apply for an order under section 25(1)(a) or (b) or an order or declaration under section 25(3):

(a)

the surviving spouse or partner:

(b)

any person on whom conflicting claims in respect of property are made by the surviving spouse or partner and the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner.

(2)

The personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner may, with the leave of the court, apply for an order under section 25(1)(a). The court may grant leave only if it is satisfied that refusing leave would cause serious injustice.

(3)

The following persons may apply for an order under section 25(1)(b) or an order or declaration under section 25(3):

(a)

the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner:

(b)

the Official Assignee in bankruptcy of the property of either spouse or partner:

(c)

an appointee (within the meaning of section 378(1) of the Insolvency Act 2006) in whom the estate of a deceased spouse or partner vests on an order being made under section 379 of that Act.

(4)

Subsection (2) is subject to section 12 of the Succession (Homicide) Act 2007.

Section 88: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 88(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 88(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 88(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 88(3)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 88(3)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 88(3)(c): replaced, on 3 December 2007, by section 445 of the Insolvency Act 2006 (2006 No 55).

Section 88(4): inserted, on 17 November 2007, by section 17 of the Succession (Homicide) Act 2007 (2007 No 95).

89 Time for commencement of proceedings

(1)

Proceedings may be commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners if,—

(a)

at the date of the death of the deceased spouse or partner, the spouses or partners are living together; or

(b)

in the case of de facto partners, at the date of the death of the deceased de facto partner, the de facto partners are not living together; or

(c)

in the case of spouses or civil union partners, at the date of the death of the deceased spouse or civil union partner the following circumstances exist:

(i)

the spouses or civil union partners are not living together; and

(ii)

the marriage or civil union has not been dissolved by an order dissolving the marriage or civil union, and an order has not been made declaring the marriage or civil union to be void ab initio; or

(d)

in the case of spouses or civil union partners, at the date of the death of the deceased spouse or civil union partner the following circumstances exist:

(i)

the spouses or civil union partners are not living together; and

(ii)

the marriage or civil union has been dissolved by an order dissolving the marriage or civil union, or an order declaring the marriage or civil union to be void ab initio has been made; and

(iii)

not more than 12 months have elapsed since the taking effect as a final order of the order dissolving the marriage or civil union or the date of the making of the order declaring the marriage or civil union to be void ab initio; or

(e)

in the case of spouses or civil union partners, at the date of the death of the deceased spouse or civil union partner the following circumstances exist:

(i)

the spouses or civil union partners are not living together; and

(ii)

the marriage or civil union has been dissolved by an order dissolving the marriage or civil union, or an order declaring the marriage or civil union to be void ab initio has been made; and

(iii)

more than 12 months have elapsed since the taking effect as a final order of the order dissolving the marriage or civil union or the date of the making of the order declaring the marriage or civil union to be void ab initio, but, either before or after the deceased spouse’s or civil union partner’s death, the court grants an extension under section 24(2).

(2)

The court’s power to grant an extension under section 24(2) extends to cases where the time for making an application expired before the commencement, on 1 February 2002, of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001.

Section 89: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 89(1): replaced, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

90 Time limits for commencing proceedings

(1)

Proceedings must be commenced within the following time limits:

(a)

if the estate of the deceased spouse or partner is a small estate (as defined in section 2), the proceedings must be commenced—

(i)

no later than 12 months after the date of the death of the deceased spouse or partner; or

(ii)

if administration of the estate is granted in New Zealand within that period, no later than 12 months after the grant of administration,—

whichever is the later:

(b)

in any other case, the proceedings must be commenced no later than 12 months after administration of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner is granted in New Zealand.

(2)

Regardless of subsection (1), but subject to subsection (3), the court may extend the time for commencing proceedings after hearing—

(a)

the applicant; and

(b)

any other persons who have an interest in the property that would be affected by the order sought and who the court considers should be heard.

(3)

The court’s power under this section extends to cases where the time for commencing proceedings has already expired, including cases where it expired before the commencement, on 1 February 2002, of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001.

(4)

The court may not grant an extension of time under subsection (2) unless the application for the extension is made before the final distribution of the estate of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 90: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 90(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 90(1)(a)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 90(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 90(4): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

91 Qualifications on application of sections 25 to 34 and 43 to 44F

(1)

The court must not make an order in proceedings commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners unless it is satisfied that one of the spouses or partners has died.

(2)

When the court makes an order under section 27(1), the surviving spouse or partner is entitled personally to occupy the family home or other premises to which the order relates, to the exclusion of any other person who would otherwise be entitled to occupy the family home or those premises.

(3)

The court may not make an order under section 28 in favour of a surviving spouse or partner unless,—

(a)

at the time of the making of the order, the tenancy of the dwellinghouse is vested in the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner; and

(b)

either—

(i)

at the time of the making of the order, the surviving spouse or partner is residing in the dwellinghouse; or

(ii)

at the date of the death of the deceased spouse or partner, the deceased spouse or partner was the sole tenant of the dwellinghouse, or was a tenant in common with the surviving spouse or partner.

Section 91: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 91(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 91(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 91(3): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 91(3)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 91(3)(b)(i): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 91(3)(b)(ii): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

92 Persons entitled to be heard

In section 37(1), any person having an interest in the property which would be affected by the order does not include a person who has an interest only as a beneficiary of, or claimant against, the estate of the deceased spouse or partner, but the court may hear such a person if it considers it necessary to do so.

Section 92: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 92: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

93 Appeals

In section 39(2), any other person prejudicially affected does not include a person who is affected only as a beneficiary of, or claimant against, the estate of the deceased spouse or partner.

Section 93: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 93: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 93: amended, on 24 November 2003, by section 4 of the District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63).

94 Incidence of orders against personal representative of spouse or partner

(1)

This section applies when—

(a)

proceedings are commenced after the death of one of the spouses or partners; and

(b)

the court makes an order under this Act against the personal representative of the deceased spouse or partner.

(2)

(3)

However, the court may order that the incidence of the order—

(a)

falls rateably on the whole estate of the deceased; or

(b)

falls on any specified portion of the estate or on any specified property.

(4)

Where the court makes any order under subsection (3),—

(a)

(b)

(5)

(6)

Section 94: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 94 heading: amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 94(1)(a): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 94(1)(b): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 94(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 94(6): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Effect of choice of will or intestacy (option B)

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

95 Effect on application of Act of choice of will or intestacy

(1)

If the surviving spouse or partner chooses option B, nothing in this Act (other than sections 20 to 20F or sections 58 and 59) applies to the distribution of property under the will of the deceased spouse or partner or under Part 3 of the Administration Act 1969.

(2)

To avoid any doubt, the fact that a surviving spouse or partner chooses, or is treated as having chosen, option B does not prevent that person from disclaiming any interest as a beneficiary in any real or personal property to which he or she is entitled under the will of the deceased spouse or partner or under Part 3 of the Administration Act 1969.

Section 95: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Section 95(1): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Section 95(2): amended, on 26 April 2005, by section 3(2) of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19).

Part 9 Transitional provisions and savings

Part 9: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Transitional provisions

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

96 Transitional provisions applying on and from 1 February 1977

(1)

If an application relates to the relationship property of a marriage that took place before 1 February 1977, the court must, in dealing with the application, have regard to any agreement entered into before 1 February 1977 by the parties to the marriage. This subsection applies despite Part 6, but is subject to section 98(3).

(2)

If—

(a)

proceedings were commenced under the Matrimonial Property Act 1963 or Part 8 of the Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1963 before 1 February 1977; and

(b)

the hearing of the proceedings commenced before 1 February 1977,—

the proceedings continue as if this Act had not been passed, unless the parties agree to the proceedings continuing under this Act.

(3)

If—

(a)

proceedings were commenced under the Matrimonial Property Act 1963 or Part 8 of the Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1963 before 1 February 1977; and

(b)

the hearing of the proceedings had not commenced before 1 February 1977,—

the proceedings continue under this Act.

(4)

Proceedings commenced before 1 February 1977 that are continued under this Act are continued as if the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 had not been passed.

Section 96: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

97 Transitional provisions applying on and from 1 February 2002

(1)

If—

(a)

proceedings were commenced on or after 1 February 1977 and before 1 February 2002; and

(b)

the hearing of the proceedings commenced before 1 February 2002,—

the proceedings continue as if the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 had not been passed, unless the parties agree to the proceedings being continued under this Act as amended by the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001.

(2)

If—

(a)

proceedings were commenced on or after 1 February 1977 and before 1 February 2002; and

(b)

the hearing of the proceedings had not commenced before 1 February 2002,—

the proceedings continue under this Act as amended by the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001.

(3)

If proceedings were commenced under the Matrimonial Property Act 1963 on or after 1 February 1977 and before 1 February 2002 by—

(a)

the surviving spouse against the deceased spouse’s personal representative; or

(b)

the deceased spouse’s personal representative against the surviving spouse; or

(c)

the personal representative of one spouse against the personal representative of the other spouse,—

the proceedings continue as if this Act had not repealed the Matrimonial Property Act 1963, whether or not the hearing of the proceedings commenced before 1 February 2002.

(4)

If, before 1 February 2002,—

(a)

proceedings were commenced while both spouses were alive; and

(b)

the hearing of the proceedings did not commence; and

(c)

one spouse dies or both spouses die,—

the proceedings continue under this Act, except sections 61 to 95, as amended by the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001, as if the spouse or spouses had not died.

(5)

If, before 1 February 2002,—

(a)

proceedings were commenced while both spouses were alive; and

(b)

the hearing of the proceedings commenced; and

(c)

one spouse dies or both spouses die,—

the proceedings continue under this Act, as if this Act had not been amended by the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001, and as if the spouse or spouses had not died.

(6)

If proceedings were commenced in the High Court before 1 February 2002, the proceedings continue in that court, whether or not the hearing of the proceedings commenced before 1 February 2002.

Section 97: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

97A Transitional provisions applying in respect of section 2BAA

(1)

In this section, specified date means the date of commencement of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2008.

(2)

Where the hearing of any proceedings in which the duration of a civil union is in issue commenced before the specified date, the proceedings continue as if section 2BAA had not been passed.

(3)

Where the hearing of any proceedings in which the duration of a civil union is in issue commenced after the specified date, the proceedings continue as if section 2BAA had been passed.

Section 97A: inserted, on 18 May 2009, by section 7 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 83).

Savings

Heading: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

98 Savings applying on and from 1 February 1977

(1)

Nothing in this Act affects any order made before 1 February 1977 under section 41 or section 44 of the Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1963, and the provisions of that Act have effect in relation to any such order as if this Act had not been passed.

(2)

Nothing in this Act invalidates any payment made or any act or thing done in good faith before 1 February 1977 by the personal representative of a deceased spouse.

(3)

Nothing in this Act affects the validity of any agreement entered into before 1 February 1977 by way of settlement of any question that has arisen in relation to relationship property, and every such agreement has effect as if this Act had not been passed.

Section 98: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

99 Savings applying on and from 1 February 2002

The death of a spouse or de facto partner does not affect the validity or effect of anything already done or suffered under this Act or under the Matrimonial Property Act 1963.

Section 99: inserted, on 1 February 2002, by section 61 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Schedule 1 Notice of claim of interest under Matrimonial Property Act

[Repealed]

s 42(2)

Schedule 1: repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 62 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Schedule 2 Consequential amendments

[Repealed]

s 56

Schedule 2: repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 62 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Schedule 3 Enactments repealed

[Repealed]

s 57

Schedule 3: repealed, on 1 February 2002, by section 62 of the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5).

Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2013

Public Act		2013 No 48
Date of assent		15 July 2013
Commencement		see section 2

1 Title

This Act is the Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2013.

2 Commencement

(1)

This Act comes into force on a date to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council, and 1 or more orders may be made appointing different dates for different provisions.

(2)

If any provision of this Act has not earlier been brought into force under subsection (1), it comes into force on the day that is 1 year after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.

3 Principal Act

This Act amends the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the principal Act).

5 Transitional provisions relating to reimbursement of costs of court-appointed counsel

(1)

Section 37A(3) and (4) of the principal Act, as in force before the commencement of section 4 of this Act, continue to apply to proceedings commenced before the commencement of section 4.

(2)

This subsection applies to—

(a)

any order made under section 37A(3) of the principal Act as in force before the commencement of section 4, but only if, before that commencement, no steps had been taken to enforce that order; and

(b)

any order made, after that commencement, under section 37A(3) of the principal Act as continued by subsection (1).

(3)

Despite subsection (1), in relation to any orders to which subsection (2) applies, section 37A(4) of the principal Act, as continued by subsection (1), must be read as if for the words “by order of the court in the same manner as a judgment of that court” there were substituted the words “in the same manner as a judgment of the court”.

Notes

1 General

This is a consolidation of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.

2 Legal status

A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.

Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.

3 Editorial and format changes

The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.

4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation

Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7): section 3

Family Violence Act 2018 (2018 No 46): section 259(1)

Land Transfer Act 2017 (2017 No 30): section 250

District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49): section 261

Senior Courts Act 2016 (2016 No 48): section 183(b), (c)

Property (Relationships) Amendment Act (No 2) 2013 (2013 No 82)

Financial Markets (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2013 (2013 No 70): section 150

Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 48)

Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 20): section 9

Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81): section 413

Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 83)

Succession (Homicide) Act 2007 (2007 No 95): section 17

Wills Act 2007 (2007 No 36): section 41

Insolvency Act 2006 (2006 No 55): section 445

Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (2006 No 1): section 348

Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19)

Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53): section 48(1)

District Courts Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 63): section 4

Property (Relationships) Specified Sum Order 2002 (SR 2002/363)

Land Transfer (Computer Registers and Electronic Lodgement) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 11): section 65(4)

Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5)

Family Courts Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 65): section 6

Stamp Duty Abolition Act 1999 (1999 No 61): section 7

Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1998 (1998 No 54)

Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1994 (1994 No 45)

Matrimonial Property Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 151)

Matrimonial Property Amendment Act (No 2) 1983 (1983 No 145)

Land Transfer Amendment Act 1982 (1982 No 22): section 3

Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161): sections 17(1), 17A(h)

Judicature Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 124): section 12

List of access keys

Property (Relationships) Act 1976

Property (Relationships) Act 1976

Note

Contents

1 Short Title and commencement

Part 1 Outline of this Act

1A Purpose of this Part

(a)

(b)

(c)

1B Status of this Part

1C What this Act is about

(a)

(b)

1D How this Act is arranged

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

1E Part 2 (Preliminary provisions)

(a)

(b)

(c)

1F Part 3 (Application of this Act)

(a)

(b)

(a)

(b)

1G Part 4 (Division of relationship property)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

1H Part 5 (Relationship property and creditors)

(a)

(b)

1I Part 6 (Contracting out)

(a)

(b)

(c)

1J Part 7 (Proceedings under this Act)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

1K Part 8 (Division of property where one spouse or partner dies)

(a)

(b)

(c)

1L Part 9 (Transitional provisions and savings)

(a)

(i)

(ii)

(b)

Part 2 Preliminary provisions

Purpose and principles

1M Purpose of this Act

(a)

(b)

(c)

1N Principles

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Interpretation

2 Interpretation

(a)

(b)

(i)