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For people who want to represent themselves in the Family Court in New Zealand

Disputes with parenting, guardianship, divorce, protection, property, but can’t afford a lawyer?

Check out any of the below

Don’t let fees stop you. Learn how to make family court applications yourself. It is not too difficult!

Harassment Orders

For people who are not a close family member.

Protection Orders

For close family (domestic) members.

Property Relationship and Divorce

For people in a de facto or civil union relationship

Care of Children’s Act

This relates to Parenting and Guardianship Orders.

Disputes Tribunal

This relates to disagreements between parties usually related to a Contract.

Tenancy Tribunal

This relates to issues between landlords and tenants in a tenancy agreement.

It is not difficult to make simple Family Court applications as a self represented person.

As at 25 Jan 2023

Genuine experiences

What people say

From Fay, Tauranga.

“I thought it would be too scary and hard to make a One Party Application for Order for Dissolution of Marriage, on my own, but once I understood the process, and made a start, I got what I wanted, (the divorce) and I was so pleased with myself.”

From T, Auckland.

” I expected my ex would bully me but I persisted with my property relationship claim, and I am so glad I did.”

From John, Auckland.

” l just stacked up all my evidence of the harrasment I’d been receiving, and the Judge really had no problem making the Order. “

Courage Persist Work

What you need to succeed.

Relevant articles

Real life outcomes

Obtaining Harassment Order through court decision

Introduction When a person feels they’re being bullied or spoken to (verbally or in writing) i…

Without Notice application for Parenting and Guardianship Orders

Introduction When there has been a serious breakdown in the family and the children’s safety i…

Help Myself Charitable Trust

Reach out to us.

By entering this website you are confirming that you understand and accept this website is administered by a Charity named "Help Myself Charitable Trust" and its content does not imply legal advice nor does any comment from its officers, administrators or associated persons whether verbal or written mean that legal advice has been given. Help Myself Charitable Trust exists as a resource for people who are interested in acting as a self-litigant in Family Court or Disputes Tribunal  proceedings. Before deciding to act as a self-litigant, we encourage users of this website to seek out other sources of legal information, including  but not limited to the Citizen's Advice Bureau (https://cab.org.nz) and Community Law (https://communitylaw.org.nz) and that if legal advice is sought, to contact a person with a practicing certificate. According to the New Zealand Law Society, a practising certificate certifies that the holder is a fit and proper person to practice law and allows them to describe themselves as 'a lawyer'. It is an offence for someone without a current practising certificate to describe themselves as a lawyer. Unless otherwise stated, persons associated with the Help Myself Charitable Trust and website, are not lawyers.