Best Family Lawyers in Christchurch
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The 6 Best Family Lawyers in Christchurch

Family disputes are taxing and can be difficult to resolve. If you still can’t reach an agreement with your spouse even after trying everything, you should get a lawyer.

For this, we’ve listed down the best family lawyers in Christchurch to settle any family law issues.

We chose highly skilled and experienced lawyers for our list. Furthermore, we chose those who are compassionate and patient with what you’re going through and will provide you with excellent legal services.

If you’re all set, here are the absolute best family lawyers in Christchurch.

1)  Lisa Kennedy – Strowan Law

Lisa Kennedy's Photo

BEST FOR Cost-effective legal services
SERVICES Adoptions Care and Contact Arrangements for Children

CYFS Matters

Dissolution of Marriage

Domestic Violence

Guardianship Disputes

Orders Preventing Removal of Child

Paternity

Applications under the Protection of Personal Property Rights Act

Relocation

Relationship Property

WEBSITE https://www.strowanlaw.co.nz/about-us.php
ADDRESS 154 Harewood Road, PO Box 5046, Papanui, Christchurch 8052, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS 03 352 3769

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM

Lisa Kennedy is a partner and family lawyer of the Christchurch firm, Strowan Law. She has been working for Strowan Law since September 2007, right after she was admitted to the bar.

She graduated with an LLB with Honours and BA in Psychology from the University of Canterbury in England.

She can advise you on a broad range of family law issues like divorce settlements, child custody, and relationship property.

You will find Lisa professional and friendly to deal with throughout the process. She’s also a legal aid provider, offering partial financial assistance to clients who may need it.

Highlight 

  • Cost-effective legal services
  • Professional and friendly
  • Legal aid provider

Customer Reviews

Take a look at what a client named Chelsea B. has to say about working with Lisa:

“I had Lisa advise me on family court matters. She was fantastic would highly recommend.”

2)  Gemma Smith – Corcoran French

Gemma Smith's Photo

BEST FOR Personalised legal solutions
SERVICES Relationship Property

Contracting Out Agreements

Care of Children

Domestic Violence

Relocation

Adoption

Paternity

WEBSITE https://cflaw.co.nz/our-lawyers/associates/gemma-smith/
ADDRESS Level 1, 166 Moorhouse Avenue, PO Box 13-001, Christchurch 8141, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS (03) 375 5404

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM

Gemma Smith is an associate lawyer at Corcoran French who joined the team in 2018. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science degrees at the University of Canterbury.

Having practised family law for years in Australia, Gemma Smith can assist clients in adoption, paternity, relationship property, domestic violence, relocation, and the like.

She’s a member of the Family Law Section and Family Court Association. With years of experience under her belt, you can rely on her to come up with personalised legal solutions to help you solve any legal issues.

Highlights 

  • Experienced family lawyer
  • Offers personalised legal solutions
  • Member of the Family Law Section and Family Court Association

3)  Bill Herbison – Pier Law

Bill Herbison's Photo

BEST FOR High-quality family legal services
SERVICES Relationship Property Agreements

Prenuptial Agreements

Cohabitation Contracts

Family Trusts

Arranging Independent Advice

Dissolution of Marriage

WEBSITE https://www.pierlaw.co.nz/bill-herbison/
ADDRESS 184 Shaw Avenue, New Brighton, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS +64 3 366 5540

+6427 434 6366

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM

Bill Herbison is the managing director of Pier Law and a member of the Family Law Section and NZ Law Society.

Bill provides high-quality legal services for all aspects of family law. According to many of his clients, he conducts his services in an empathetic, secure, and professional manner.

He seeks to understand what his clients are going through. Divorce, child and spousal maintenance, estate claims–These are emotional and personal matters for clients that need to be addressed with sincere guidance and compassion.

Like a true friend, he’ll help you through those matters and help you achieve a positive outcome. For this reason, many consider him to be one of the best family lawyers in Christchurch you can get.

Highlights

  • High-quality family legal services
  • Compassionate and skilled lawyer
  • Wide range of expertise
  • NZ Law Society member

4)  Letitia Hay – Linwood Law

Letitia Hay's Photo

BEST FOR Legal aid family lawyer
SERVICES Family Law

Employment Law

WEBSITE https://www.linwoodlaw.co.nz/team/
ADDRESS 15 Buckleys Road, Linwood, Christchurch 8062, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS +64 3-389 2121

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM

If you’re facing legal issues regarding your marriage, then you should give Letitia Hay a call.

Letitia is a senior solicitor at Linwood Law, specialising in family and employment law. Her legal expertise makes her one of the best family lawyers in Christchurch.

She graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Te Reo Maori language.

As a part of their legal aid team, she makes justice accessible to people who can’t afford to get a lawyer.

Highlights

  • Specialises in family and employment law
  • Offers legal aid assistance
  • Considerable experience
  • Can deal with a wide range of issues

5)  Claire Finn – Layburn Hodgins Barristers & Solicitors

Claire Finn's Photo

BEST FOR Clear & comprehensive legal advice
SERVICES Care and Contact Arrangements for Children

Parenting Orders

Guardianship Disputes

Orders Preventing Removal of Children from Canterbury /

New Zealand

Relocation Disputes

Paternity

Domestic Violence (Protection Orders)

Relationship Property

Dissolution of Marriage

WEBSITE https://www.layburn.co.nz/Get-to-Know-Us/Our-Team/Instance/Claire-Finn
ADDRESS Level 1/205 Durham Street South, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS 03 366 2332

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM

When emotions are turbulent due to family problems, Claire Finn, an experienced family lawyer, will try to understand your circumstances. She will then provide her legal services suited to your situation and needs.

She gained her experience in employment and family law and civil litigation while working for a general practice law firm in Matamata, New Zealand. She also has experience in working at one of the leading law firms in Singapore as a professional support lawyer.

She will provide clear and comprehensive advice regarding relationship property, guardianship, paternity, child removal orders, divorce, litigation, and others. It’s not hard to get in touch with her too, as she always responds quickly when you call or email her.

Competent and understanding, Claire Finn is one of the best family lawyers in Christchurch.

Highlights 

  • Competent and understanding lawyer
  • Gives clear advice
  • Helps clients on a wide range of family matters
  • Prompt response

6) Family Law Results

BEST FOR Assistance in Family Court
SERVICES Family Law, Relationship Property, Surrogacy & Adoption, Mediation & Collaborative Process
WEBSITE http://www.familylawresults.co.nz/
ADDRESS 164B St Asaph St, Christchurch Central
CONTACT DETAILS

(+64) (3) 928 1858

0800LAWRESULTS

[email protected]

OPERATING HOURS  By appointment only

With Family Law Results, you can be sure that you are taking the most practical, considerate action for yourself and your family.

They will strive to help you resolve your family law issue out of Court.

You can opt for a fixed fee to give you certainty about your legal costs or an hourly rate.

Highlights 

  • Practical and caring lawyers
  • Experienced and skilled collaborative lawyers
  • Fixed fee option

Customer Reviews

This is from a client who was assisted by the lawyer at Family Law Results:

“We couldn’t be more thankful for Selina. She has moved heaven and earth to assist us in our legal matters. Without her, we would have been completely lost. She not only explains everything in a way that we understand but then she always gives us options of the next step and what the possible outcomes could be. She keeps us updated with each step of our legal matter and we can’t thank her enough for everything she has done and continues to do. Having her help gives us some peace to have someone like her on our side.”

And those were the best family lawyers in Christchurch! They’ll help you through the process and find a solution to settle your family disputes.

Do you have any questions or comments about our list? If you have one, comment down below and we’ll get back to you in a bit.

Do you need to settle some legal matters in your workplace as well? If so, you may want to get in touch with the best employment lawyers in Christchurch.