We heard about a couple who tried to keep things “amicable” and split everything 50/50 without lawyers. In the end, one took the car and the savings, and the other was still paying off half a couch they didn’t even have.

It’s tempting to keep things simple, especially in a place where people pride themselves on keeping the peace. But simple doesn’t mean fair. And when it comes to protecting your future, professional help makes a real difference.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the best divorce lawyers in Dunedin—the ones who understand both the legal system and the emotional messiness that comes with it.

1. Rochelle Crossman Family Law Barrister

We looked into Rochelle Crossman to get a sense of how she handles separation and divorce cases, and from everything we’ve gathered, her style seems grounded and clear-headed.

What stood out to us in particular was how past clients described her way of breaking things down—thorough, but not overwhelming. Legal terms were explained plainly, with just enough detail to be useful, not confusing.

Rochelle clearly knows divorce law inside and out, and that comes through in the way she tailors her advice. She takes time to understand each situation emotionally and practically, then builds a plan that actually fits.

We also appreciated how she handles parenting arrangements. There’s a lot of focus on keeping things calm and forward-focused, especially when kids are involved.

From what we observed, she’s confident in court but doesn’t push clients toward litigation unless there’s really no better option. That balance between being firm and fair was something we heard echoed by a few others who had worked with her before.

The only issue we heard was the limited availability. She’s often booked out in advance, which makes it tricky if you’re hoping to get started right away.

Professional, efficient, and responsive

“Rochelle was my son’s lawyer regarding a relationship property settlement. She was very efficient and helpful with advice, and also prompt in replying when there was a question. I would recommend Rochelle as she has been very professional and helpful.”

• Bev Horrell, Google Review

Supportive, approachable, and efficient

“I have recently used Rochelle for a relationship and house settlement breakup. She went above and beyond for not just me but my children as well.

I can honestly not recommend her enough, she was approchable, easy too work with but professional and very fast at getting things done.

I’m beyond greatful for her support and to say that I kept my house.”

• Shea Corrigall, Google Review

2. Rose Resolutions Family Law

Someone we spoke to described Rose Resolutions as “more like a problem-solving space than a law office,” and that pretty much shaped our expectations going in.

The lead lawyer is a Resolution Institute-accredited mediator, and that background seems to influence the whole setup. From what we heard, the process feels structured and focused on keeping things productive.

One past client mentioned that what stood out most was how early the process brought clarity. They were given a breakdown of how the sessions would go and how to keep communication with the other party from turning into a drawn-out back-and-forth.

This approach seems best suited for people who want a steady, guided process rather than one that’s heavily court-driven.

Parenting plans, for example, were handled with honest and realistic advice. No false promises—just straightforward talk about what tends to work, what usually doesn’t, and where most compromises fall apart.

A few others we spoke to also appreciated that mix of legal clarity and mediation skills.

One thing to keep in mind: they don’t offer legal aid. So, if cost is a major factor, especially in the early stages, that could be a limiting detail.

Excellent representation

“Stephenie rose did fantastic job for me pleasure to have her represent me, thank you Stephenie”

• Kahu Behrens, Google Review

Helpful and kind

“Super helpful and kind. Would absolutely recommend to others.”

• Campbell, Google Review

3. Lucas & Lucas Lawyers

One of our team members actually hired Lucas & Lucas Lawyers to help with dividing assets during her separation, and she shared a bit about how the process went.

Things between her and her husband hadn’t completely broken down, but there was enough tension that trying to split property on their own just wasn’t working. What stood out to her was how matter-of-fact the lawyer was throughout.

They didn’t overcomplicate anything. From the first meeting, they laid out what documents were needed, what could realistically be negotiated, and where things might get stuck if either side wasn’t careful.

That kind of structure helped ease some of the stress and made everything feel a bit more manageable.

We got a similar impression when we looked into the firm ourselves. Lucas & Lucas seem to take a calm, grounded approach—ideal for clients who don’t want a dramatic legal battle but still need clear direction when emotions are running high.

The only drawback we noticed is that the firm handles a broad mix of legal work. Since they’re not solely focused on family law, there were a few delays in communication.

Pleasant and reliable team

“Lucas & Lucas have advised me on a variety of matters including the division of relationship property, conveyancing associated with the sale of residential and rental properties, drawing up a will, and appointing powers of attorney. Garth, Sandy, and more latterly Chris, have been timely, efficient and always pleasant to deal with.”

• Gay Buckingham, Google Review

Professional, organized, and thorough

“I have worked with Jeremy & Chris in connection with mutual clients over a number of years. I have found them to be professional, organized, and thorough. I recommend them to anyone looking for a quality lawyer.”

• Peter Ashworth, Google Review

4. McMillan&Co.

McMillan&Co. made it to our list for their clear-cut process and steady approach to separation and divorce cases.

They operate out of a well-organized office in Dunedin, and while they’re not the largest firm in the city, that seemed to work in their favor. Things felt streamlined and direct, without too many layers to navigate.

We spoke to one of their past clients who had gone through a drawn-out custody dispute, and she mentioned how consistent and level-headed the team stayed throughout the process.

According to her, they were especially good at keeping things practical when emotions could have easily taken over.

What stood out was how grounded their advice felt. They didn’t soften the realities of the process, but they also didn’t make it feel overwhelming. That kind of balance helped clients stay focused on the outcome rather than getting pulled into the stress of it all.

Even when delays came up, the team remained on top of things and kept the process from stalling—which, in a case that dragged on for months, made a noticeable difference.

While their responses were consistently prompt and clear, the tone could sometimes feel a bit stiff. That might not be a deal for someone hoping for more warmth or reassurance during the process.

Exceptional, compassionate legal support

“I am immensely grateful to McMillan&Co and more specifically for Sally McMillan and Sarah Coulton. Their outstanding legal assistance, expertise, professionalism, and unwavering support led to a successful outcome for my case. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking exceptional legal representation. As well as their excellent professionalism and dedication to help, they were also incredibly kind and walked me through each step of the process. Sarah helped me through the affidavit process whilst being supportive, reassuring and kind. Both Sally and Sarah went above and beyond with their thoroughly in-depth investigation into the case, putting in a lot of work with genuine care for my best interest.”

• Finn Dowling, Google Review

Supportive guidance and knowledgeable

“Highly recommend.

Sally helped me navigate through an extremely difficult relationship property settlement and advised on child custody issues.

The knowledge and guidance she shared not only helped me survive the complexities of this process but to also later thrive. The advice she gave me at the time didn’t make sense in my slightly irrational state, but I kept it in my toolbox and in the years that proceeded came in handy. I have recently also engaged Sally’s expertise for a Contracting out agreement. Her charges are realistic and fair.”

• Willi de Jong, Google Review

5. Klinkert Law

Klinkert Law came recommended by someone we knew who had gone through a particularly difficult separation. She’d been struggling with how to handle communication with her ex, especially around shared parenting and finances.

One thing she appreciated was how even-toned and measured their approach was. They didn’t feed into the drama of the separation, which helped her stay focused on the practical next steps.

Their lead lawyer doesn’t rush through anything. From what we gathered, they had a good sense of when to push and when to hold back. That balance helped avoid unnecessary arguments while still standing firm on the key points.

Instead of escalating the situation, the focus stayed on what was fair and workable. That kind of consistency seemed to shape the entire process and kept things from spiraling.

We also found it useful that Klinkert Law includes structured preparation tools as part of their process. They offer specialized “Two Homes” and “A Few Homes” workbooks to help clients organize their thoughts before mediation.

It’s a small thing, but it makes a difference—giving people space to reflect and focus before sitting at the table. From what we’ve seen, it helped keep sessions more efficient and gave clients the confidence to speak up about what actually mattered to them.

The only drawback we came across was the price. Their services were described as detailed and effective, but it might not be ideal for those hoping to sort things out quickly or on a tighter budget.

Supportive and reliable throughout

“Dani is a great lawyer helping me with Legal aid and I can get upset with people that is no fault of Dani. She is supportive and I’m glad to have the support I do have as it’s been a difficult long road for me that Dani has been amazing thank you Dani I highly recommend your services to anyone needing support through court. Thanks for your service 🙂”

• Angelica Wilson, Google Review

Exceptional service  and genuine client care

“I can’t recommend the team at Klinkert Law Firm highly enough. Their professionalism and expertise are unmatched and they truly go above and beyond for their clients. From the moment I met with Rachel, I felt heard, supported and confident that I was in the best hands.  The teams attention to detail and dedication to achieving the best possible outcome is truly commendable.  If you’re looking for a law firm that combines legal prowess with genuine care for their clients, Klinkert Law is the way to go.”

• Kelly Cruickshank, Google Review

---