Section 24 — Property (Relationships) Act 1976: Time limits for making applications

24 Time limits for making applications (1) The following time limits apply in relation to applications made under this Act: (a) an application made after a marriage or civil union has been dissolved by an order dissolving the marriage or civil union must be made before the expiry of the period of 12 months after the date on which that order takes effect as a final order: (b) an application made after an order has been made declaring a marriage or civil union to be void ab initio must be made before the expiry of the period of 12 months after the date of the making of the order: (c) an application made after a de facto relationship has ended must be made no later than 3 years after the de facto relationship ended. (2) Regardless of subsection (1) , the Court may extend the time for making an application after hearing— (a) the applicant; and (b) any other persons who would have an interest in the property that would be affected by the order sought and who the Court considers should be heard. (3) The Court's power under this section extends to cases where the time for applying has already expired. (4) If 1 of the spouses or partners has died, the application of this section is modified by section 89 (except in a situation described in section 10D(1) ). Sections 24 to 26 were substituted, as from 1 February 2002, by section 25 Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 5). See Part 9 of this Act as to the transitional and saving provisions. Subsection (1) was amended, as from 26 April 2005, by section 3(4) Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19) by inserting the words “ or civil union ” after the word “ marriage ” wherever it appears. Subsection (4) was amended, as from 26 April 2005, by section 3(1) Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 19) by substituting the word “ partners ” for the words “ de facto partners ” .