For couples going through a separation, they have had to face additional uncertainty as they try to secure property valuations in an ever-changing property market. The family home is considered relationship property, regardless of whose name is listed on the title. However, in a rapidly changing property market, the timing of the valuation can make a big difference in how much one party must pay the other. Normally the separating couple would undertake a market valuation, sometimes separately if they did not agree with the values, and this can be an expensive process. For this, parties would need to obtain a market valuation and be sure they had sufficient funds for a buy-out.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 21, 2021 23:48 UTC