Rochelle Crossman, Family Law Barrister
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​Why should I choose Rochelle to be my family lawyer?

Family Law is quite different to other areas of law. Your general law practitioner who helped you buy your house or set up your company is unlikely to have the specialist experience needed to help with the complex, emotional and personal Family Law issue you now have. 

Family Law necessarily involves stressful, difficult and emotional issues. When a relationship has broken down, or when your family relationships are on the line, you may make decisions that you'll live to regret. Sometimes you might feel like giving in to your demanding, controlling or abusive ex partner, just to make the problem go away. This is when it is most important to seek legal advice. 

I have worked exclusively in the Family Law arena for over 13 years. I have experience in helping hundreds of clients negotiate their (legal) way through some of the worst times of their lives.

Rather than trying to be a "jack of all trades", I specialise in work as a Family Law Barrister in the Family Court and have extensive experience in helping clients in all Family Law matters, including:  
• Applications by parents for parenting orders specifying day to day care and contact. 
• Applications by fathers or grandparents for guardianship of a child. 
• Applications by a parent to prevent removal of a child from the district or from New Zealand.
• Applications to relocate child(ren) to a new district or out of New Zealand.
• Proceedings involving grandparents and other family/whanau members.  
• Relationship property settlements & agreements where division can be agreed. 
• Proceedings under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 where settlement cannot be agreed.
• “Pre-nuptial” property sharing agreements.
• Overturning unfair relationship property settlement agreements.   
• Applications for urgent protection orders under the Domestic Violence Act.  
• Acting for parents when Child, Youth and Family (CYF) are involved.  
• Obtaining parenting orders for CYF caregivers ("Home For Life"). 
• Paternity applications.
• Adoption applications.  
• Challenging wills of deceased relatives.
• Applications to review decisions by the Commissioner for Inland Revenue concerning child support.
• Protection of Personal and Property Rights proceedings and Enduring Powers of Attorney
Over the years, I have developed a passion for fair, zealous but no-nonsense legal practice. 

I don't mess about with legalistic jargon and I won't waste your time. You can be assured that I will tell you how strong your case is and recommend to you the best action plan. Sometimes this won't be exactly what you think you want to hear, but you can be assured that together, we will find the best way forward for you and your family.

I can act for clients receiving Legal Aid, as well as privately paying clients.  
I act for children as Lawyer for Child, but only on appointment by the Family Court.


If you need a family lawyer to help you with your family law issue, whether it be filing for divorce, settlement of property, child support, courtroom advocacy or more, Dunedin family lawyer Rochelle Crossman can help you with expert legal advice. Call today on 03 477 5155 to make an appointment.

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