LAUREL Co

Something I wish more parents heard at the start of a separation:

It’s not your right to have your children.

It’s your children’s right to have both of their parents.

That shift in perspective changes everything.

Separation is hard. There’s no version of it that isn’t. And when you’re in the middle of the hurt, the conflict, the uncertainty and the fear, putting the children first can feel almost impossible.

But the families I see navigate this best aren’t the ones without conflict. They’re the ones who, despite the conflict, find a way to keep their children at the centre.

It makes the transition easier for the children. It makes the co-parenting relationship more workable and it protects them from carrying the weight of something that was never theirs to carry.

If you’re in the middle of a separation and trying to figure out how to do this well, for your children as much as for yourself, DM me. That’s exactly what I’m here for. We understand what you are going through.

📍 Auckland, NZ | Family law, separation & parenting agreements

A lot of people have never heard of an Enduring Power of Attorney or if they have, don’t think they are important or it’s something that they don’t need.

Until they need one. By then, it's too late to get one.

Here's what you need to know: in New Zealand, you actually hold two EPOAs. One covering your property and one covering your personal care and welfare.

If you're ever in an accident or an illness affects your mental capacity, these documents let someone you trust step in and make decisions on your behalf.

Without them? The law steps in. And that process is slow, costly, and completely outside your control.

The most important decision isn't the paperwork. It's choosing the right person. Someone who genuinely has your best interests at heart, not just someone convenient.

If you've been meaning to sort this and keep putting it off, do it now.

Save this. When you're ready, DM me today.

📍 Auckland, NZ | Family law & separation guidance

"I don't have much, so I don't need a Will."

I often hear this, and it remains one of the most common misconceptions in all of my years working in law.

The reality is that a Will is not about the size of your estate. It determines who makes decisions about your affairs after you are gone.

Without one, the law decides.

Neither you nor your family will decide. The law will.

This includes decisions about who raises your children, who receives your home, and who inherits the items that hold personal significance, regardless of monetary value.

I understand this is not an easy topic. Acknowledging mortality is difficult, but creating a Will is one of the most important steps you can take for your loved ones. Your Will is an essential document in your Legacy Planning.

A Will does not need to be complicated; it simply needs to be in place.

If you have delayed this process, save this post. When you are ready to proceed, please send me a direct message.

📍 Auckland, NZ | Family law, separation & parenting agreements

"I just want this to stop."

It's the thing I hear most from people going through separation.

And I get it. The noise, the chaos, the constant emotional weight. You'd do almost anything to make it end.

But here's what I know after years of working through family law in Auckland: the decisions you make when you're in that place, when you just want it over, are often the ones that follow you for years. Sometimes decades.

Fear is a terrible legal advisor.

That's why I do what I do. Not just as a barrister. Not just as a divorce coach. But as someone who genuinely understands what you're carrying and knows how to help you make decisions you won't regret.

If you're in the middle of it right now, save this. And when you're ready, let’s talk.

📍 Auckland, NZ | Family law & separation guidance

Understanding your finances is one of the most important steps when navigating separation.

When you know what you have, what you need, and what your future might look like financially, you can make clear and informed decisions for you and your family.

This can be a scary step and that’s way being prepared and having the right support around you is crucial.

Make sure you get the right advice so that you know what your entitlements are.

If this resonates please feel free to reach out.

Informed decisions made from a place of clarity rather than fear, lead to better outcomes for you and your family.

You need a team around you who you trust, who has your back and gets back to you.

You need clear advice, a strategy and the right support.

If this resonates please get in touch.

If co-parenting challenges have followed you into 2026, it might be time for a different approach.

With the right advice, clear boundaries, and practical strategies, things can improve.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Reach out when you’re ready to move forward.

Lauren Johnston
Lawyer and DCA® Certified ADR Divorce Coach.