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Question Details: My partner and I were recognised as de facto in the UK - does this mean we will be de facto in New Zealand? Are there additional formal steps we have to take in New Zealand for de facto status or do we have that status automatically since we've been together for 4.5 years?
Filed under Family Law | 2949 View(s)
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley
Yes, you become a de facto couple just by living together as an unmarried couple - you do not need to fill out any special forms to say that you are in a de facto relationship. In NZ, the 3 year time period (from when you move in together as a couple) applies for relationship property purposes as this is generally how long it takes for the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 to apply.
(This is a very simplified answer, because your question is not very detailed, so if you need more information about your situation, read some of the relationship property information here: www.communitylaw.org.nz.)
Answered 25 Jul 2012. The IMPORTANT NOTICE below is part of this answer.
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