SHOWCASE
STORY BY KAT PICKFORD |
7
SUSIE WILLIAMS
Alleviating the financial
burden of a breakup
Instead of dragging out relationship property disputes in hopes of settling out
of court, Blenheim’s Phil Watson is supporting clients to follow the court process
and save themselves time, money and unnecessary emotional distress.
The well known criminal and
relationship lawyer is no stranger to
the court process and says it is cheaper,
and more efficient and effective to
file relationship property cases in
court, than to attempt to resolve
them through sometimes endless
negotiations through lawyers.
Recent Supreme Court rulings on two
high-profile relationship property cases
reiterated the principle of the 50-50
split, “unless there’s a really, really
good reason not to,” Phil says.
“A lot of people struggle during
separation - it takes a huge emotional
toll on not only the partners, but on
their children and extended families,
too,” he says.
“It can take years for cases to be
settled, and all too often it turns into
a nasty paper war between lawyers
charging high hourly fees to write
letters, which are largely ineffective.”
As cases drag on, people become stuck
in limbo, unable to move on before a
resolution is reached.
After witnessing years of finger-
pointing, petty ‘he said, she said’
arguments and clumsy, ineffective
negotiations, Phil has decided the
best way to split is, like pulling off a
bandaid, quickly and painlessly.
“Splitting up does not bring out the
best in us. You might think you’d be
mature enough to part amicably if the
situation ever arose, but there are no
friends in breakups - just bruised egos,
greed and retribution.”
Determined to help people resolve
their relationship property woes so
they can move on with their lives, Phil
has taken on former Project Manager
and IT Consultant, Peter Jameson, as a
Compliance and Research Manager.
Peter says his job is to “follow the trail”,
research the case, gather information,
conduct interviews and compose
letters, all at a fraction of the cost.
Phil does the due diligence, ensuring
everything is in order before signing
the affidavits and filing the cases in
court.
Once it’s lodged in court, the system
takes over, giving the other party 20
days to respond, removing all the
posturing and intimidation that goes on
between couples as they arm-wrestle
for control.
“Cases can go on and on; it becomes
a war of attrition - who’s got the most
money and resources to keep fighting,
and in the end no one wins except the
lawyers,” Peter says.
“We can see there’s a need for this kind
of service in Blenheim - quick, effective
and as pain-free as possible.”
While cases might be filed in court,
90 percent of the time relationship
property disputes don’t end up in front
of a judge and are resolved through
the judicial process before it gets to
a trial. In the judicial process, a judge
will give his views on the situation and
how he would rule if the case did make
it to court, which gives both parties
guidance about how to best proceed.
“We’re just keeping it simple -
following the system as it was intended
to be used in an effort to make it as
easy and economic as possible,” Phil
says.
“If you want to come in and have a
chat about your options, we can give
you a pretty good estimate of how
much it’s likely to cost.”
Phil also encourages people with
existing prenuptial and property
agreements and family trusts set up
to protect individual financial interests
to chat to their lawyers about how the
recent Supreme Court rulings might
impact them, or call him or Peter for a
free initial consultation.
“Better Call Phil” Deco House, PO Box 205, 71 Scott Street, Blenheim
Phone: 03 972 2143 | [email protected] | www.watsonlegal.co.nz