Weston Ward & Lascelles Ltd

16/01/2026

Is your "Life Admin" sorted for 2026? ☀️

We know legal paperwork isn't exactly how you want to spend your January. But a little bit of time now can save your family a mountain of stress later.

We’ve just released our 2026 Legal Audit—a complete guide to getting your affairs in order for the New Year. We cover: ✅ Wills: Does yours pass the "3 D's" test? ✅ Trusts: Why 2026 is the year to review or wind up. ✅ Digital Assets: Who has your passwords if you're gone? ✅ Relationships: Essential advice for moving in or moving on.

Start the year with total peace of mind. Read the full guide here: 👇 https://www.wwl.co.nz/the-2026-legal-audit-your-ultimate-guide-to-getting-your-affairs-in-order-for-the-new-year

21/12/2025

The Directors of Weston Ward and Lascelles would like to announce the retirement of a valued staff member, Jim Sutherland.

Jim, a fourth generation Southlander commenced his working life as a cadet with the Public Trust Office in Invercargill in February 1964. Four years later he was transferred to Oamaru and in 1969 was appointed the District Manager of the office in Balclutha. He later returned to Invercargill and after 16 years with the Public Trust Office he joined Trustees Executors as a Trust Officer.

Nearly five years later, upon the amalgamation of two law firms in Invercargill namely Hanan Arthur and Watson Savage (formerly Watson and Watson) in 1984 he was asked to join the new firm which became Arthur Watson Savage. During his time with this firm, he took a break from the estate administration and undertook both residential and rural conveyancing.

In August 1987 he moved to Christchurch after being appointed as Trust Manager at Weston Ward and Lascelles. Now after 38 years of continuous service Jim is retiring. In that time, he has sometimes acted for three generations of families and over his working lifetime estimates that he has administered more than 3,000 estates and prepared at least as many wills.

We would like to thank Jim for his dedication, wealth of knowledge, and the care and sensitivity he showed the numerous clients over his years of service within the Estate team.

Jim will be missed around the office, and we wish him all the best as he takes a more leisurely approach to life.

04/12/2025

Christmas co-parenting: Don’t leave the plans until December 25th.

Christmas is meant to be about peace and relaxing, but we know that for separated parents, it often brings a unique set of challenges.

The reality is, kids can’t be in two places at once. Trying to navigate who gets Christmas morning, how to handle travel between cities, and avoiding the dreaded "gift wars" can feel overwhelming.

Our team sees the same issues crop up every year—but a little preparation now can save a lot of stress later.

In our latest blog, we break down how to navigate the holiday season smoothly, including: 🎄 Why you should review your Parenting Agreement now (not in December). 🚗 Handling travel and logistics without the headache. 🎁 Tips for avoiding conflict over presents. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How to create new traditions if the kids aren't with you on the big day.

The most important thing? Putting the kids’ wellbeing first.

Read our full guide on navigating Christmas here: https://www.wwl.co.nz/how-to-navigate-christmas-for-separated-parents

If you can’t agree on arrangements or need clarity on your Parenting Order, give us a call on 03 379 1740. We’re here to help you find a practical way forward.

24/10/2025

🏡 Thinking about adding a granny flat? Here’s some good news!

From 2026, Kiwis will be able to build a stand-alone home up to 70m² on their property without needing building consent — as long as it meets clear safety and compliance standards. 🙌

The new law aims to make it easier (and more affordable) for families to add extra living space, help loved ones, or earn rental income.

Our Christchurch property lawyers can guide you through:
✅ Title and eligibility checks
✅ Planning and compliance advice
✅ Tenancy or family-use agreements

💬 Now’s the time to start planning. Contact Weston Ward & Lascelles to make sure your granny flat project is legally watertight from day one.

👉 Read the full update on our website: https://www.wwl.co.nz/granny-flats-without-consent-government-says-yes-from-2026

16/10/2025

Thinking about refinancing your mortgage? 🏡💸
With interest rates finally easing, 2025 could be the perfect time to review your home loan.

Refinancing can:
✅ Save you hundreds each month
✅ Help you access equity for renovations or investments
✅ Simplify your finances and reduce stress

But it’s not just a financial move — it’s a legal one too.
Our Christchurch property lawyers make refinancing easy by handling the paperwork, explaining your new terms, and ensuring everything’s done right from the start.

📞 Call 03 379 1740 or visit www.wwl.co.nz
to find out how much you could save.

👉 Read the full article: https://www.wwl.co.nz/refinancing-mortgages

03/10/2025

📣 Meet Alison – through the eyes of a young artist! ✍️👩‍⚖️

This is Associate Alison Hill, reimagined in bold strokes and bright colours by one of our colleague’s children. 🎨

Alison specialises in Family Law, with a strong focus on Family Violence, Care of Children, and Oranga Tamariki matters. She’s a dedicated advocate in Court and always aims for practical outcomes when guiding families through the Family Court system.

Outside the office, Alison can often be found cooking up something delicious on a Braai 🍲 or out on her bike exploring the outdoors 🚴‍♀️.

👩‍⚖️ Legal expertise.
💬 Straight forward approach
🚴‍♀️ Weekend adventurer.

We love how this portrait captures her approachability (and those stylish glasses are spot on too!).

Stay tuned — we’ve got more of these charming staff portraits to share over the coming weeks. Because at WWL, we believe legal advice should always come with a human touch.

26/09/2025

📣 Meet Phoebe – as seen through a child’s eyes! ✨🖍️

This is Phoebe Ingersol, our Qualified Legal Executive who works alongside David and the Estates team. She joined WWL about a year ago — and according to this talented young artist, she has big bright eyes, a braid that means business, and a smile that says she’s got it covered.

Outside of the office, Phoebe is usually found running, travelling, or enjoying life as a proper socialite. Inside the office, she’s the go-to for estate work and making sure our clients feel supported through important legal processes.

🏃‍♀️ A keen runner
🌏 Loves to travel
💬 Always up for a chat

We’re continuing our series of these wonderful child-drawn portraits of our team — because behind every lawyer (and legal exec) is a real person, with their own stories, quirks, and passions.

18/09/2025

📣 Meet David – through the eyes of a young artist! ✏️👓

This is Director David Houston, sketched with care by one of our colleague’s talented kids. 🎨

David heads our Property and Business team and has been with WWL since the 90s. He’s known for cutting through complexity with good old-fashioned common sense — whether it’s a tricky trust, a million-dollar separation settlement, or a tenant trying to pull a fast one.

💼 Property & Business law? Sorted.
🧠 Practical advice? Always.
👓 Stylish specs? Clearly!

We’re sharing more of these charming portraits to show the people (and personalities) behind the profession.

Because at WWL, legal advice is serious — but the people delivering it are human, approachable, and sometimes even a bit cartoon-worthy.

21/08/2025

📣 Meet Ryan – through the eyes of a 10-year-old! 👨‍⚖️🖍️

This is Senior Associate Ryan O'Connor… as drawn by one of our colleague’s very talented children. 🎨

Ryan specialises in family law, relationship property, and court matters — but outside of work, he’s more likely to be shooting hoops than drafting affidavits.

🧠 Legal expertise. 💬 A thoughtful approach. 🏀 A decent three-point shot.

Here’s how one young fan sees him — bold, approachable, and maybe even a little heroic!

We’re sharing more of these charming portraits over the next few weeks as a lighthearted way to show the people behind the profession.

Because at WWL, we believe legal advice should come with a human touch.

18/06/2025

💬 What happens to your KiwiSaver when you separate?

KiwiSaver is one of the most valuable assets many Kiwis have — but did you know it’s often included in relationship property settlements?

In our latest blog, we unpack:
🔹 When KiwiSaver is considered relationship property
🔹 Whether it can be split (and how)
🔹 The pros and cons of offsetting vs direct transfers
🔹 Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Whether you're going through a separation or just planning ahead, knowing your rights can make all the difference.

👉 Read the full guide

📞 Or call us on 03 379 1740 for personalised advice from our Christchurch family law team.

Learn how relationship property is divided after a split in NZ, including what happens to KiwiSaver. Know your rights & what to expect during separation.

05/06/2025

Top 10 Property Questions Our Christchurch Lawyers Get Asked 🏠

Buying or selling a home? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the process. From Sale and Purchase Agreements to post-earthquake property concerns, our Christchurch property lawyers have answered it all.

We’ve compiled the 10 most common questions we hear—from first-home buyers to seasoned investors—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

👉 Read the full guide: https://www.wwl.co.nz/top-10-buying-and-selling-property-questions-people-ask-our-christchurch-law-team

📞 Book a no-obligation chat: 03 379 1740

Whether you're buying, selling, or just getting started, we're here to help make your next move easier.

Learn the top 10 property questions answered by our Christchurch law experts. Get legal tips to navigate buying and selling property with ease.