To Separate or Not to Separate – The Elements of Separation
In our 3rdsegment of our Divorce in Australia series, we will be discussing the requirements of “Separation” and the meaning of separation in the context of Divorce proceedings under the Family Law Act. As outlined in our previous blog, section 48(2) requires that the period of separation be for a continuous period of 12 months before filing
Read MoreSelecting an Appropriate Changeover Location – Family Law Parenting Matters
For years; McDonald’s Family Restaurants were the default changeover locations ordered by the Court in the absence of agreement between the parents. It is easy to see why this was the case: children could be distracted from the palpable tension between their parents during changeover. McDonald’s would be a familiar venue for the children attend
Read MoreDivorce: What You Need to Know? – Part 1
Making the decision to separate is difficult in and of itself, making the decision to formalise the separation with a Divorce Order is even harder, but it’s often very important to end this chapter of your life before you can move onto the next. An application under the Family Law Actfor a divorce Order in relation
Read MoreThe Role of an Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICL) in Family Law Proceedings
You’ve found yourself at the Family Court, battling it out with your former spouse over the care and spend time arrangements for your children. You’ve familiarised yourself with the role of the Judge, Family Consultant and “Counsel” (and their exorbitant fees no doubt). Now the Court decides to appoint an Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICL) and
Read MoreParenting Plans or Parenting Orders?
Breakups are famously difficult – and you typically go through the motions – from burying your head in ice cream tubs to eventually waking up one day energised and heading straight to the hairdresser for that post-breakup makeover. When children are involved however – navigating the experience can a whole different ball game. There is
Read MoreDifferent Types of Court Ordered Family Law Conferences & Reports
You’ve been preparing your family law parenting matter alongside your legal team for weeks on end. A diligent Solicitor would have gone through your affidavit and annexures with a fine tooth comb and prepared submissions supported by well-established case law. Usually; the opposing team has undertaken the same task. Ultimately; the Court is presented with
Read MoreDivorce Part 2 – The In’s and Out’s of a Short Marriage
In our previous blog, Divorce: What you need to know?, we explored the requirements of a general Divorce Order. In a nutshell, an application for divorce will generally be successful if the party/ parties satisfy the Court that: 1. They have been married for longer than 2 years; 2. They have been separated for 12 months; and 3. The marriage
Read MoreFamily Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
Considering the back log of family law matters listed before the Courts; it is of little surprise that Judicial Officers are frequently referring parties to mediation and arbitration services as an alternate means to resolving their disputes. In fact in 2006, the Family Law Act was amended by way of the Family law Amendment (Shared Parental
Read MoreCo-Parenting in the Time of the Corona Virus
There is no doubt that many of us have found ourselves wading through uncharted waters and trying to understand how to live around the new regulations introduced to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Virus. Separated parents in particular are now grappling with the extra stress of co-operating as infection concerns and legislative restrictions on
Read MoreThe Insidious Nature of Non-Physical Family Violence and Its Effect on Children
We acknowledge that there males can also be victims of Family Violence however national statistics confirm that females are significantly more likely to be victims (According to research conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 1 in 6 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a cohabiting partner since age 15 compared to 1 in
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