What is a S60i Certificate?
In parenting matters, the central focus at every level of the proceedings, is to ensure the well-being of the children. Parents are encouraged to try to work out a sensible parenting plan that will allow the children to spend quality time with each parent that avoids the risk of conflict or any harm to the […]
Australian Family Law Parenting Steps
STEPS TO SETTLING PARENTING ISSUES Ending a relationship is difficult for all parties but can be extremely confusing and unsettling for children. The sections of the Australian Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) that deal with arrangements for children of a separating couple, have as their focus the “best interests of the children”. The […]
How do the Family Courts treat Superannuation?
In property settlements in Australia, Superannuation forms part of the property pool. Each party must make full disclosure of the current amount of the benefit in their Superannuation schemes. The Four-Step Approach to Resolving Property Divisions In summary, the Courts traditionally follow a four-step pathway to work out how to divide the total property of […]
Personal Injuries & Family Law: Can I Keep my Personal Injuries Award or Will my ex get Half?
What is property in Family Law? Property is broadly defined in Family Law proceedings and includes all legal and equitable rights of the parties. When the Courts work out a property settlement between you and your ex-partner, they work out what the property pool is, what contributions each party made to the overall property, what […]
Navigating Family Life While Managing Coronavirus Lockdowns
We all want to do the right thing and flatten the curve to stop COVID-19 in its tracks. However, we are all human and living in each other’s pockets while trying to meet work deadlines, implement a home schooling timetable, feed the pets and try to maintain our relationships can lead to unimagined stresses. These […]
COVID-19 and Family Court in NSW
Chief Justice Alstegren has released an update to assist families and their advisors on 26 March 2020. He confirms that parents must comply with parenting orders. However, he also gives us a pathway to navigate the changing times so that the best interests of the children and their relationship with each parent can be maintained. […]
Family Law Orders and Cosmopolitan Australia
Many Australians have travelled, studied and lived all over the world. They may have been transferred overseas with work and decided to settle in their adopted country with family and community ties being forged over many years. In that time they may have married someone from their new home, bought a residence and built an […]
I Recorded my Son Crying That he Didn’t Want to go to my ex. Can I use That in Court?
This might seem like a good idea so you can show the judge what a struggle you are having. However, the Family Courts are not there to take sides. They are trying to work out what is best for the children. In certain circumstances, this may mean that the recordings will be allowed in […]
It’s Almost School Holidays. I was Going to Take the Kids Away but my Ex Won’t Agree.
School holidays can add to the tension between parents in separated families. Parents may have remarried and have blended families making it complicated to organise holidays away and juggle extra-curricular activities and holiday camps. Easter and Christmas holidays may also have special significance for one partner or Passover for another. It may be important for […]
Legal Marriage in Australia
What is Marriage? In Australia, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 which commenced on 9 December 2017, amended the Marriage Act 1961 to redefine marriage as ‘the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’. Who can get married in Australia? A person can get married if: Aged at least […]