When you are the high-income earner in a relationship that is breaking down, a common question is ‘What expenses do I have to continue paying?’ and ‘Will I have enough money to continue to pay for everything?’ On the other … Read More
Imagine discovering that you do not have control about who your superannuation will go to upon your passing, even though you have documented your wishes in a will. A nasty surprise and it is occurring more than you might think. … Read More
Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs – sometimes colloquially known as “pre-nups”), are usually designed to protect assets owned by one member of a couple from a claim by the other member of the couple in the event of separation. Typically, BFAs … Read More
In the Sun Herald on Sunday, 9 February 2014, there was yet another article which warned of the risks for people contemplating entering a Financial Agreement before marriage (or a “pre-nup” as they are commonly known). Cosima Marriner spoke to … Read More
A number of same sex couples recently celebrated their marriage under the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 (ACT). The new legislation also has an impact on succession law. The Wills Act 1968 (ACT) states that a Will is automatically … Read More
Usually the parties to family law proceedings are a husband and a wife, or former de facto partners, or the parents of a child or children. Spouses and parents are inevitably enmeshed in other family relationships and commercial arrangements which … Read More
Common questions about civil partnerships. What is a civil partnership? A civil partnership is a domestic relationship between two adults regardless of their sex. You cannot be married or related to the person with whom you share a civil partnership.
The ACT Assembly has recently passed laws legalising same sex civil unions. The Federal Government has proposed amendments to the legislation relating to same sex couples being able to hold official ceremonies to mark their civil unions.
Major changes to many areas of the law have been made giving same sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Since 19 May 2008 couples in the ACT have had the option of registering their relationship with the Office of Regulatory Services as a civil partnership. Here Dobinson Davey Clifford Simpson set out the fundamentals about civil partnerships.