Questions for lawyers Found 360

Since we separated, my former partner has refused to let me see our four-year-old and says I should wait until things calm down. I am a named parent on the birth certificate. What are my rights and what are the steps to get contact?

An overseas investor has offered to buy a stake in our New Zealand company. I do not know whether there are restrictions on foreign ownership or approvals needed. What should we be thinking about before we agree?

While out on the harbour in a small runabout, another boat crossed my path and we collided. Nobody was badly hurt, but both boats were damaged, and we are now arguing over who was at fault. How does the law decide, and what should I do?

I recently checked my KiwiSaver account and noticed that my employer has not been making the compulsory contributions that should have been deducted from my pay for several months. What are my rights and how do I fix this?

I received a notice from the court that a judicial settlement conference has been scheduled in our case. My lawyer says I must attend in person, but I do not see the point when both sides are so far apart. What happens at one?

A distant relative has passed away and I am not sure whether they left a will or who might have a copy. I would like to know if I am mentioned as a beneficiary. How would I go about finding this out? I have tried asking around but nobody seems to give me a clear answer.

After an accident, my car was declared a total loss, and the insurer offered a payout that is thousands of dollars less than I think the car was worth. I did not agree to any value at the start. How is the value decided and can I dispute it?

I was asked to do a full day trial at a cafe before being offered a job, and was told it would be unpaid since it is just a test. I ended up working several hours serving customers. Should I have been paid?

My workplace has said that all staff in my role must be vaccinated against a particular disease or lose their jobs. I am not comfortable with this. Can an employer require this, and what are my rights?

My mother is in her late seventies and beginning to forget things. We worry that if her condition worsens, nobody would legally be allowed to make decisions about her care or finances. How does an enduring power of attorney work?