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A DIVORCE LAWYER DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING AN APPROPRIATE PROVISION IN A FINANCIAL AGREEMENT

A divorce lawyer can advise you of the various provisions in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) that allow for the protection of financial resources and matters. Often, when parties enter a relationship there is a discussion about financial resources; how they are to be used in the relationship or how they will be used for the maintenance of children to come from the relationship.

To account for these considerations, a financial agreement can be drafted by a divorce lawyer and signed by the parties. This type of document is a legally enforceable tool that provides a set of conditions for the distribution and future use of monies. [...]  READ MORE →

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A DIVORCE LAWYER EXPLAINS SHUTTLE FAMILY LAW MEDIATION

Mediation is often an essential part of resolving a Family Law conflict. However, mediations can appear to be overwhelming, especially in the context of a relationship characterised by family or domestic violence or in high conflict relationships. Is there a way to go to mediation without having to come into contact with the other party? Depending on the individual situation, shuttle mediation may be a suitable option.

Shuttle Family Law Mediation

In shuttle family law mediations, each party is separated into different rooms or locations (this includes in online mediations where separate breakout rooms are offered). The mediator moves between the rooms and conveys the other party’s statement as to the issues, ideas for progressing the case and any offers to settle the case. This type of mediation is aimed at maximising both parties’ safety whilst providing a means to discuss, and hopefully resolve, the case in a confidential setting. [...]  READ MORE →

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The role of a divorce lawyer in raising a Kennon argument for contributions in property proceedings

Consulting a divorce lawyer after a high conflict relationship can be daunting. There is a great amount of legal factors to consider when separating from your partner. When the relationship has broken down, engaging in negotiations can be both tiresome and overwhelming.

Family violence is unacceptable in all contexts, so it is important to understand how the Court will deal with the occurrence of such acts when determining property settlement. The landmark decision in Kennon & Kennon is not unfamiliar to a divorce lawyer. It establishes a foundation for appropriate adjustments to contributions in a relationship when acts of violence are occurring. The Court will only consider adjustments if the party seeking it can demonstrate: [...]  READ MORE →

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Divorce lawyer advice after separation and the operation of the ‘clean break’ Principle

Engaging a divorce lawyer when separating from your partner can be daunting. It is important that you understand your legal rights relating to your financial position both in your relationship and moving forward.

The Principle

It is in the Court’s view that it should seek “as far as practicable (to) make such orders as will finally determine the financial relationships between the parties…and to avoid further proceedings between them.” This is referred to as the ‘clean break’ principle under s 81 of the Family Law Act or s 90ST for de facto parties. Specifically, a divorce lawyer will tell you that the general approach of the Court is to avoid issuing long term spousal maintenance orders. In other words, spousal maintenance is not and should not be ordered with the intent that it be payable for life. Instead, it is designed as a temporary order to allow parties to restructure their finances and or living expenses. For example, a spousal maintenance order can be made to cover a period where the party is completing coursework or training which enables him or her to re-enter the workforce. [...]  READ MORE →

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Asking a divorce lawyer about property settlement

The breakdown of a relationship can be emotionally exhausting. Especially during the dissolution of a marriage, divorce proceedings and the distribution of assets is necessary. However, it can be tiresome when both parties are emotionally charged. Seeking advice from a divorce lawyer can help lessen the burden that falls on parties. This is considering that they are yet to seek out where and how their property is to be distributed. A big part of understanding how property is to be handled is the fundamental question of what is considered to be property. From the involvement of divorce lawyers and cases that have been heard before the court, it has been determined that the term “property” includes: [...]  READ MORE →

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Advice from a separation lawyer in a child custody dispute

Seeking advice from a separation lawyer during a divorce can be necessary especially if there are children from the marriage who are under 18 years old. Generally, a parenting order allows for a child’s parents to have equal shared parental responsibility. Once this order has been made (and the presumption not rebutted) then the court must consider if the child spending time (equal, substantial or significant) with each of the parents is reasonably practicable.

In the recent decision of Miley [2021] FedCFamC1A 62, the Court heard a mother’s appeal against a decision which ordered the return of a child from Victoria to Western Australia. With assistance from a separation lawyer, the parents of the child separated in 2017. Prior to then, the parents were all residing in Western Australia. [...]  READ MORE →

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Divorce Lawyer Explains the Steps You Can Take if You are Unhappy with Your Final Orders

If you are not satisfied with your Final Orders made by the Court, your divorce lawyer can provide you with some advice about your options of an Appeal. Appeals must be filed within 28 days of the Orders being made.

However, the filing of an appeal does not automatically stop the obligations contained in the Final Orders. As such, your divorce lawyer may advise whether it is appropriate to file an application to stay the Final Orders. If the application for a stay is successful, the Final Orders will not operate until the appeal is decided. [...]  READ MORE →

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Is COVID-19 a reasonable excuse to withhold a child from a parent? A Family Law Lawyers Answer

A common question asked of family law lawyers in 2020 is: “do I have to continue following parenting Orders during the pandemic?”  There are very limited circumstances in which the Court will permit parents to fail to comply with Orders of the Court.

Parents will need to establish that there is a reasonable excuse for not complying. Whether the action or conduct is needed and necessary to protect the child should be considered.

In a recent case of Pandell & Walburg (No 2) the Court considered the circumstances of  COVID-19 and how it relates to reasonable excuse. [...]  READ MORE →

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The Bank of Mum and Dad – Gifts from your Parents and Property Settlement Agreements

The Australian housing market is difficult to break into for most first home buyers and many couples have looked to their parents for some assistance to get their foot in the door. For many, parents may provide assistance to their children by allowing them to live at home rent-free or contributing to their deposit in the form of a gift or loan.  In many cases, “the bank of mum and dad” is crucial to helping relatives to be able to buy their own home.

As it becomes more common for parents to provide financial support to the parties during a de-facto relationship or marriage, there is an increasing likelihood that these “third parties” may become involved in a dispute concerning a property settlement agreement between the parties if the relationship was to break down.  For example, where there is an argument as to whether money received by the parties (or either of them) was a gift or a loan to be repaid. [...]  READ MORE →