A marriage or relationship breakdown is often one life’s most challenging events. It’s the start of a new chapter that often brings much uncertainty. It is also often layered with inaccurate statements and complexity.
With so much uncertainty, we’d like to set the record straight on some common Family Law misconceptions:
Parting ways from your partner can be extremely difficult particularly in the early days of separation. As a family lawyer, it is not our role to advocate for divorce or separation, we are simply here to assist you to manage the end of your relationship.
We understand it is a challenging time so it’s important to consider our recommendations:
We assist people daily in relation to the breakdown of their relationships. In a Family Law dispute there is a requirement by each party to make full and frank disclosure of all relevant information once they have separated to assist in the negotiation of their Family Law matter. The process is known as “discovery” and it allows each party to discover information from the other side that may be important to the case.
Throughout the years, discovery has included the provision of financial documents such as tax returns, bank statements, credit card information and valuations in relation to the value of assets.
For most families, their pets, being a dog, cat, fish, or bird are intricate members of the family. So what happens to Spot or Crookshanks when parties separate?
The Australia Veterinary Association estimates 63% of Australians have a pet. Dogs are the most common pet (39%) and there are estimated to be 4.2 million pet dogs in Australia alone. So what happens when a couple separate and a decision needs to be made in relation to their beloved pet?
In recent times there has been an increased awareness about domestic and family violence and its prevalence within our society.
With an ambassador like Rosie Batty there is a greater awareness that domestic and family violence goes beyond physical violence and encompasses many types of behaviour.
Every day our Family Law team assists people during the breakdown of their relationships. In a family law dispute, there is a requirement that each party makes full and frank disclosure of all relevant information once they have separated, to assist in the negotiation of their family law matter. The process is known as “discovery” and it allows each party to discover information from the other side that may be important to the case.
With school holidays coming up, it can be a difficult time for separated families to agree upon and juggle arrangements in relation to their children and what time they will spend with each parent.
Unfortunately for those families the tension and stress associated with making this decision can add to making the process more difficult.
People often talk about going through a ‘messy divorce’, when in fact, obtaining a divorce is the easiest part of separation. Are you considering getting a divorce and wondering what the process will be like?
Married couples in Australia can apply for divorce if their marriage has broken down irretrievably. To apply for an Application for Divorce the parties need to be separated for a period of at least 12 months; and
• One of the parties must regard Australia as their home and intend to live in Australia indefinitely or
• be an Australian citizen by birth, descent or grant of Australian Citizenship, or
• have lived in Australia and have done so for 12 months immediately before filing the divorce.
Following separation, you may be entitled to child support, you may have to pay child support or otherwise come to your own tailored arrangement, whereby you share costs of the children. People are often confused by this process, and why wouldn’t you be, separation involves a lot of “firsts”
Broadly speaking there are three ways to address child support:
Divorce and the associated financial and parenting issues can be one of the most emotionally draining and financially crippling experiences that a person can endure. Conversely the process can be handled with dignity and respect.
Here are 6 tips to help you avoid a messy and expensive divorce.