So you are going to a Mediation…What happens in a mediation?

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In most family law and estate litigation disputes, the parties are required to attend mediation to attempt to resolve their dispute. This article describes what is involved and addresses the most commonly asked questions about mediation. What is mediation? Mediation … Read More

Am I separated?

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This might seem like a silly question since those of us who have experienced a relationship breakdown can identify a point in time when the relationship ended.  It might have been when you fell out of love, after a big … Read More

Formalise financial & property matters, in case you win the lottery

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A recent case decided by the Family Court in Sydney is a timely reminder for separating couples to formalise financial and property matters after separation. In this case, the wife won $6 million on lotto six months after separation from … Read More

Informal Settlements Really Are Risky: Bevan and Bevan 2013

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Sometimes I meet a person who happily tells me that they have “sorted” their property settlement with their ex, informally, “just between us”.  No paperwork, no orders, no lawyers.  “We just did what we agreed”.  That might sound pretty good … Read More

Don’t forget to include Superannuation in Divorces and Wills

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This week the Daily Telegraph, commenting on a survey undertaken by Suncorp, reported that of Australia’s 84,000 divorces, 86% failed to include the parties’ superannuation interests in the division of assets. Given the statistics regarding women already suffering from a … Read More

Domestic Violence Orders: The Courage to Change

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It can be an overwhelming experience when you decide to confront the domestic violence in your life, and it is with this in mind that this article is written; to provide you with an outline of the process involved. If … Read More

Domestic Violence: A Private Affair

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With confronting photographs splashed across the media, continuing news headlines and persistent tabloid covers, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has unwittingly become the public face of domestic violence. Images depicting Lawson’s husband, advertising bigwig Charles Saatchi, with his hands around Lawson’s … Read More

Family Court: A Judicial Insight

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Interviews by Family Court Judges are not common and understandably, due to the nature of the job and in no small part. They work in a field where public policy and legislation exist specifically to protect the identification of those … Read More

Opening the DOORS to Family Law

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Chair of the Family Law Council of Australia, Mr Rick O’Brien recently announced a national audit of family violence training to identify best practice. The Law Council’s Family Law Section has undertaken a range of training and practice development initiatives over … Read More

Forever (or never) in the spotlight? Publication and Dissemination of Information

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Rupert Murdoch’s power and influence will forever mean that his life and the happenings within his family are always in the media spotlight. Unfortunately for Murdoch, the last several weeks has seen both newspapers and blogs run with the story … Read More

The Importance of Formalising a Property Settlement

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Scenario: You and your former partner have separated. You have agreed how you will split your assets. You don’t think it is worth getting lawyers involved to “legalise” your agreement. Here are three very good reasons why you should.

Setting the Terms of a Financial Agreement

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Couples who reach agreement about the financial matters between them can enter into a Financial Agreement to protect their assets. A Financial Agreement can be entered into at any stage of a relationship – either before getting married or moving … Read More

Mediation Between Separated Parents on Child's Schooling

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Separated parents will usually share in making long-term decisions for the benefit of their children. One long term decision relates to where a child will attend school. If parents cannot agree about their child’s schooling or one parent wants to … Read More

Divorce Orders Reissued to Address Problems With Overseas Jurisdictions

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The Federal Magistrates Court recently announced changes to the document which is issued after a divorce is granted. The changes were needed to address difficulties encountered by parties using existing Divorce Certificates in overseas jurisdictions. The Court will now issue … Read More