Kowhai Legal
Family and Criminal Lawyers
Kowhai Legal is a specialist Family and Criminal law firm based in Kerikeri. We offer a wide range of legal services
Recently separated or considering separation?
Wondering what to do about the care arrangements for the children? There is information on the Ministry of Justice website about care arrangements for children following separation. Have a browse here, then contact us if you would like some specific advice and assistance.
WE HAVE MOVED
Please note that from 1st August 2023 our new offices are at:
2/98 Kerikeri Road
(Above Calypso Takeaways, opposite McDonalds)
SERVICES
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Children's care arrangements (previously called "custody")
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Domestic violence
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Divorce / dissolution of marriage
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Paternity
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Adoption
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Guardianship disputes (e.g. medical, schooling, relocation and international travel)
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Division of relationship property
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Contracting out agreements
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Separation
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Spousal maintenance
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Criminal Defence Work
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Limited Licence Applications
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s106 (Discharge Without Conviction) Applications
NEW CLIENTS
If you would like Kowhai Legal to consider taking you on as a client, please fill out this form as completely as possible.
LEGAL AID
The decision whether to grant you Legal Aid will be made Legal Aid Services at the Ministry of Justice. They’ll decide on the basis of two key sets of factors:
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whether you can afford a lawyer, and
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the specific nature of your case.
If you’re on a benefit, like JobSeeker Support or the Supported Living Payment – you’ll usually meet the financial criteria to get Legal Aid.
How do they decide if I can afford a lawyer?
You can only be granted Legal Aid if your income and your disposable assets (property) are below the set limits.
Your Income – Please check this table to assess your eligibility. Please note, your partners income will be taken into account too.
Your assets – If you have savings, assets worth more than $3,500 (excluding your car, furniture and tools of trade), or a home with equity of more than $80,000, you are unlikely to be eligible for legal aid except in special circumstances.
If you wish to apply for legal aid, we can assist you with this, but you will be invoiced for this work at our private rate if it turns out that you are not eligible for legal aid.
ABOUT US
Naivasha Moore
Naivasha has been in practice since 2008 as a family and criminal lawyer. After graduating from Auckland University, she started out practice in Timaru. She moved to Kerikeri in 2013 with her husband and she started her family here. She offers legal aid for parenting and domestic violence matters. In addition, she is an approved Family Legal Advice Service provider.
Ashlee Peacock
Ashlee has been practising since 2020. Prior to working at Kowhai Legal, she worked at Community Law Taitokerau for almost 3 years. Ashlee offers legal aid for parenting and domestic violence matters. She is of Ngapuhi and Ngatiwai descent, born and raised in Te Rawhiti, Bay of Islands. Ashlee is passionate about helping whanau to work through their disputes.