More than $5 million in funding approved to date, 100+ firms now offering support
Over $5 million in funding has flowed into Aotearoa New Zealand family law and estate matters over the past year as law firms increasingly turn to third-party funding to extend services to more Kiwis, while also ensuring they get paid faster.
This innovation has been enabled by social lender JustFund, who provide clients with a line of credit regardless of their income, employment or credit score.
So far, the company has approved more than $5 million in funding to date since launching last year, with the median loan size being $35,000 and the largest recorded at $350,000.
Lauren Milne, Director of Family Law (NZ) at JustFund, says the model is about supporting clients through a difficult time in their lives and reducing financial friction so that everyone can focus on better outcomes in proceedings while increasing legal access.
“In the past, firms have had to turn away clients who had legitimate entitlements or were desperate for legal support during a difficult separation because they couldn’t afford legal costs. As much as lawyers want to help, there is a limit to how much they can defer fees and run a business at the same time.
“Too often, cases stall or firms absorb costs because clients can’t fund matters through to resolution. Our funding model enables firms to be more client-centric, while also ensuring they get paid,” says Milne.
Eligibility is assessed against a client’s expected property settlement, with repayment only if there is a successful outcome.
“Our first year of operations highlights the shift in how family law matters are structured and paid for. Now that funding can be introduced earlier in the process rather than as a last resort, New Zealand firms are able to extend legal representation to more Kiwis.
“We’re seeing lots of people who simply don’t have access to savings use our service to fund both legal fees and other expenses that divorce and separation brings,” says Milne.
During the past 12 months, JustFund has built a network of more than 100 accredited partner firms across New Zealand. All clients work through a JustFund accredited firm, with invoices paid within 24 hours of approval.
Jessica Shaw, partner at Simpson Western, notes: “We regularly see situations where the parties have significant assets but one side doesn’t have access to liquid cash to pay legal fees to pursue a fair settlement.”
“This funding levels the playing field, no matter the income or bank balance, and for some it is the only way they can access legal advice.”
Milne says: “When funding is in place early, lawyers can focus on getting better, more equitable outcomes for their clients, rather than having to settle early due to a lack of financial resources.
“We are seeing firms incorporate funding as part of their standard client onboarding, not as an exception, which is impacting how they scope matters and progress in practice.”
While third-party funding is well established in commercial litigation, its use in family law has been more limited.
Borrower data from JustFund suggests the issue spans a wide range of clients. In its first year, the company funded individuals with incomes ranging from no current income through to $660,000 per annum, indicating liquidity rather than earnings is often the constraint.
New Zealand recorded 7,887 divorces in 2025, up five per cent on the previous year, underscoring the volume of matters requiring legal support.
Milne says the early data points to funding becoming a more established part of the family law landscape.
“As more firms adopt flexible funding, it is shifting expectations around how matters are paid for. Together, we’re able to increase access to legal services, including for some of our most vulnerable Kiwis during divorce proceedings.”
About JustFund
JustFund is New Zealand’s only dedicated family law and estates funding provider. The business offers a flexible line of credit to cover family law fees and living expenses associated with divorce, separation and relationship property matters, as well as funding for estates and inheritance disputes.
JustFund partners with a network of more than 100 accredited leading legal firms and approximately 455 lawyers and practitioners across New Zealand.
Founded to address one of the most significant barriers to justice – the ability to afford quality legal representation – JustFund exists to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent people from achieving a fair outcome. By providing flexible funding solutions when individuals need them most, JustFund helps clients navigate complex legal matters with greater confidence and certainty.
The company’s mission is to make access to justice fairer, easier and more accessible for New Zealand families.
Through strong partnerships with family law and estates practitioners, JustFund is helping to level the playing field for people facing some of life’s most challenging transitions, enabling them to focus on securing the best possible outcome rather than worrying about how they will fund the journey.
JustFund launched in May 2025.
