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Cost of Separation Agreement in New Zealand: Complete Price Guide 2024

SureThing Team
August 12, 20255 min read
Separation AgreementLegal CostsFamily Law+1 more

Cost of Separation agreement in New Zealand: Complete Price Guide 2024

The Price of Peace of Mind

Getting a separation agreement isn't expensive - fighting without one is. We're talking about the difference between a few thousand dollars now versus tens of thousands in legal fees later.

Here's the real breakdown of what separation agreements cost and why they're the best money you'll ever spend during a breakup.

The Sticker Shock Reality

A professionally drafted and certified separation agreement typically costs between $2,000-$5,000 total. Yes, that sounds like a lot when you're already dealing with the financial stress of separation.

But consider this: contested property disputes in Family Court can easily cost $20,000-$50,000 per person. Suddenly that separation agreement looks like a bargain.

What You're Actually Paying For

Legal Drafting: Creating an agreement that covers all the important stuff and actually holds up legally.

Independent Legal Advice: Both parties need their own lawyer to review and certify the agreement. This is required by law in NZ.

Certification: Making the agreement legally binding so it can't be challenged later.

Peace of Mind: Knowing exactly what happens to your property, debts, and ongoing responsibilities.

The SureThing Alternative for Simple Situations

Not every separation needs a $5,000 legal bill. For straightforward situations with minimal assets and no disputes, you have options.

What SureThing Can Handle:
• Simple property division agreements
• Debt responsibility arrangements
• Basic custody schedules
• Temporary financial support agreements

What Needs Professional Help:
• Complex property portfolios
• Business asset division
• Contested custody arrangements
• Spousal maintenance calculations

The Hidden Costs of Not Having an Agreement

Legal Fees: Fighting in Family Court costs way more than preventing the fight.

Time: Court processes can drag on for years. Separation agreements can be done in weeks.

Stress: Uncertainty about your financial future is emotionally exhausting.

Relationships: Ongoing disputes destroy any chance of maintaining a civil relationship, which matters especially if you have kids.

When to DIY vs When to Go Professional

DIY with SureThing When:


• You agree on most things
• Assets are straightforward (house, cars, bank accounts)
• No business interests involved
• Custody arrangements are amicable

Go Professional When:


• High-value or complex assets
• Business ownership involved
• Disagreement about major issues
• International assets or custody concerns

The Smart Approach

Start with the basics. Use SureThing to document what you both agree on - property division, debt responsibility, basic custody arrangements. This gives you a foundation and helps identify what needs professional help.

For the complex stuff, invest in proper legal advice. But you'll save money by having the basics sorted first.

The Bottom Line

Separation agreements aren't an expense - they're an investment in your future peace of mind. The cost of getting it right upfront is always less than the cost of getting it wrong later.

Ready to start documenting your separation terms? Begin with SureThing for straightforward agreements, then consult legal professionals for complex asset division and certification.

Because your future self will thank you for sorting this out properly now.

SureThing Team

The SureThing team creates content to help you navigate digital agreements with confidence.

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