From "I Do" to "What If?"

21st November 2025

In October, McMillan&Co Lawyers partnered with Craigs Investment Partners to host From “I Do” to “What If?” a free community seminar designed to demystify relationship property law and succession planning and get attendees thinking about how to secure their long-term financial wellbeing. Held at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, the event brought together a full room of attendees of various demographics keen to strengthen their understanding of how legal and financial decisions shape their futures.

The seminar was presented by Sally McMillan, Sarah Caulton and Emily Robertson of McMillan & Co, alongside Craigs Investment Adviser, Lauren Hall. Together, the team provided a real-world guide to protecting assets, planning for life changes, and preparing for the inevitable with the assistance of a fictional family, the Crawleys, who we followed through the twists and turns of their lives and relationships.

Why These Conversations Matter

As Sally noted in her introductory remarks, most people in New Zealand only see a lawyer for two major life events: buying a home and making a will. Many wait far too long to think about what happens to their assets in the event of a separation, death, or new relationship.

Our presenters emphasised a common theme:

Being proactive about your legal and financial affairs isn’t pessimistic - it’s empowering.
A little planning today can prevent years of stress, conflict, and unnecessary cost tomorrow.

The Crawley Family: A Case Study in the Complexities of Real Life

To bring the law to life, the team introduced attendees to the fictional, but very relatable, Crawley family. Through their story, we explored:

1. Relationship Property on Separation

Sarah and Sally walked the audience through how the Property (Relationships) Act applies when a relationship ends. Using the Crawleys’ separation, they explained:

What counts as “relationship property”
How assets and liabilities are divided
The treatment of inheritances and pre-relationship property
When an economic disparity claim may apply

The Crawleys’ experience reflected what many New Zealanders face: years of shared life, uneven career paths, emotional decision-making, and the complexity of separating finances fairly.

However, Sarah and Sally also showcased an option for couples who want to be proactive about their relationship property matters and avoid the stress, uncertainty and costs associated with a division of property on a relationship breakdown: a contracting-out agreement (aka a “pre-nup”). Using the Crawley’s daughter Mary as an example, our attendees gained insight into how couples can structure their affairs, and decide for themselves what will, and will not be relationship property, rather than leaving it to the Property Relationships Act to decide, providing them with long-term security.

2. Financial Future-Proofing After Separation

With both parties walking away from their relationship property settlement with a cash payment, Lauren from Craigs demonstrated what thoughtful investment planning looks like in practice.

She analysed:

What a conservative, future-focused investment approach could look like in practice
What a higher-risk, lifestyle-focused investment approach could look like in practice
How to balance goals, risk tolerance, and retirement needs
What long-term projections can reveal about sustainability

Attendees gained a clear understanding of how financial advice can transform a difficult transition into an opportunity for long-term security.

3. The Critical Importance of Wills and Succession Planning

Emily closed the seminar by stepping forward five years into the Crawleys’ future a time when both had re-partnered and needed to revisit their wills.

Emily covered:

Why every adult needs a will
How major life events (marriage, separation, children, new partners) can affect a will
The hidden risks of dying without a will (including an overview of the intestacy rules)
How the Family Protection Act, Testamentary Promises Act, and Property Relationships Act can disrupt poorly drafted wills
Why blended families require especially careful planning

Using examples from the Crawley family, Emily illustrated how thoughtful estate planning can prevent disputes, protect vulnerable family members, and honour a person’s true wishes.

Key Takeaways for Attendees

Across the evening, several consistent messages emerged:

✔ Being proactive is essential

Relationship property issues, financial uncertainty and estate disputes are far easier to prevent than to fix.

✔ Contracting out agreements aren’t unromantic, they’re practical

They help couples decide together what is fair, rather than relying on a “one-size-fits-all” legal default.

✔ A will is not a “set and forget” document

It should evolve with your life, your relationships, and your assets.

✔ Legal and financial advice work hand-in-hand

Protecting your future means aligning your relationship property planning, investments and succession planning.

Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us

We were delighted to welcome such a large and engaged audience. Your thoughtful questions and discussions reaffirm why these conversations matter so much for individuals and families at every life stage.

If you would like advice tailored to your personal situation our team is here to help: whether you’re single, partnered, separating, or navigating a blended family.