ADVICE When you start a new relationship

At the Citizens Advice Bureau, we get calls and visits from people seeking advice before entering into new relationships and others whose relationships may be coming to an end.

Here are just a few examples of the types of questions we get asked and the answers we might give.

“I’ve been living on my own, in my own home, for some time. I also have some investments. There’s a person I’ve become very friendly with and I’m thinking of inviting him/ her to be my partner and move in with me.

What happens if my new partner has no significant assets and I want to protect what I already own for my existing family?”

The Property Relationships Act, very broadly, states that if two people become a couple, regardless of whether they marry, then after three years together their assets are jointly owned in equal shares. If you want to protect your existing assets, there needs to be a “contracting out” Napier CAB volunteers (from left) Penny and Wendy with manager Jenny Pearce outside the new Napier Citizens Advice Bureau office in Hastings St, Napier.

(previously pre nuptial) written agreement. Try and work this out together, but you should have your solicitor draft the actual document for signing by both parties and it must specify that both parties obtained independent legal advice. Not the most romantic move for a new relationship. But it may ease a lot of pain further down the track.

“We’ve got together in a new relationship or got married. Anything we should attend to?”

Most important you both have new Wills prepared (any former Will no longer applies after marriage). In case you are incapacitated and unable to look after things yourself, we also strongly recommend you each have an Enduring Power of Attorney. One specifies who you want to take care of your property (money and other assets) and the other who decides on care of your health and welfare.

Next time, we’ll have some advice for those already in a relationship that may be ending.

■ If you need any help, contact us at the Napier Citizens Advice Bureau on 835 9664 or call free on 0800 367 222. Email napier@cab.org.nz. Or see us at the Bureau at 126 Hastings St (above BNZ in Napier), 9am-4pm weekdays and 9am-11am on Saturdays.