We have a new Legal Assistant (Family Law) role currently available at DDCS Lawyers. This is a full time role for applicants with a minimum of two year’s experience working within a law firm. The successful applicant will work with … Read More
Ready for a change to a collaborative and supportive working environment in a unique and beautiful workspace in New Acton? We have a Senior Legal Assistant (Family Law) role currently available at DDCS Lawyers. This is a full time role … Read More
DDCS Lawyers seeks to appoint a full time lawyer within our Family Law team. If you have been recently admitted to practice or anticipate admission in 2023, then this role may be suitable for you. The successful applicant will have … Read More
The partners of DDCS Lawyers are delighted to announce that Emily Tighe (Family Law), Theresa Dowling (Wills and Estates) and Tina Lee (Family Law) have been promoted to Partner, effective from 1 April 2023. All three have made important and … Read More
We have three roles currently available at DDCS Lawyers: Legal Assistant (Estate Planning & Litigation) – Full Time or Part Time (min. 3 days) Senior Legal Assistant (Family Law) – Full Time Front of House/Reception – Full Time or Part … Read More
After another busy year at DDCS Lawyers, we are delighted to again be recognised in the 2023 Doyle’s Guide as a first tier family law firm in the ACT. We also congratulate our wonderful team members: Di … Read More
DDCS Lawyers seeks to appoint a Senior Legal Assistant to work full time within our family law team. This role requires candidates to have a minimum of two years’ experience working within a law firm in a legal assistant/paralegal … Read More
We have two administrative roles currently available. Legal Receptionist/Front of House – Full time or Part time (min three days) Legal Assistant – Full Time Legal Receptionist/Front of House This role is suitable for someone looking for either a … Read More
Join DDCS Lawyers and have the opportunity to work with partner, Phil Davey, Doyle’s Guide Leading Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyer. DDCS Lawyers is seeking to employ a Legal Assistant within our estate planning and litigation team. The … Read More
Doyle’s Guide is an award list that is compiled based on the findings of extensive surveys and interviews conducted among clients, industry peers and relevant industry bodies. It is a recognition of the best firms and lawyers across Australia. The … Read More
DDCS Lawyers seeks to appoint two experienced family lawyers in the following roles: Senior Associate (5 years plus PAE) – Full Time Associate (2 to 4 years PAE) – Full Time Join DDCS Lawyers and have the opportunity … Read More
When you separate at the end of a relationship or marriage, you each have an obligation to provide information and documents to the other about your financial situation. This is a positive and ongoing obligation – so, handing over some … Read More
To file for divorce in Australia, your marriage must have broken down irretrievably. While you can enter into final orders about the division of property and determine parenting arrangements at any time from the date of separation, you must have … Read More
Interested in starting your career in legal support? DDCS Lawyers, an award winning firm in Canberra is taking applications from people interested in becoming a legal assistant. No previous legal or office experience is necessary, as on the job training … Read More
In recent years, mental health concerns amongst Australians and the rest of the world have increased substantially. Recent research in Australia, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 15% of Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 … Read More
As Australia’s population ages, in the years to come, there will be increasing attention on the needs and issues facing older Australians. Sadly, one of these issues is the potential for elder abuse. Recent research says that one in six … Read More
Due to recent expansion, DDCS seeks to appoint an experienced family lawyer with at least three years PAE, to assist us in providing legal advice and exceptional service to our clients, as well as contribute to our close knit team … Read More
Creating an estate plan allows you to plan your future, specifying what should happen to your financial affairs and assets on your death. Among other things, an estate plan gives you peace of mind as you go about your life, … Read More
If you, your children or a family member are in immediate danger, phone 000. When you are in an unsafe situation at home and want to leave, you may put off doing so for fear of violence and harm coming … Read More
What is a Family Constitution? A family constitution is an aspirational document that can evolve over time. While not a contractual document here in Australia, a family constitution is a set of guiding principles for how to manage and enhance … Read More
DDCS Lawyers continues to grow and is excited to provide a wonderful opportunity for a graduate lawyer with an interest in family law. Joining DDCS Lawyers means you’ll receive mentoring from our team of leading family lawyers, and the … Read More
Due to recent expansion DDCS Lawyers is seeking to appoint a family lawyer with 2-5 years PAE to join our growing team. Joining the DDCS Lawyers team means you’ll receive mentoring from leading family lawyers, and the opportunity to … Read More
When a couple is going through separation, it is common for them to think about the property to be considered in a financial settlement. One type of asset which is often initially overlooked is the superannuation benefits of each party … Read More
Being engaged to be married, is an exciting time of planning and anticipation, as you contemplate the next phase of your relationship, with the expectation of a long and happy marriage. But the reality of divorce remains, and second marriages … Read More
What is a Power of Attorney and an Enduring Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney is a legal document by which you can appoint another person or multiple people (referred to as ‘attorney/s’) to make decisions for you or … Read More
We have a Paralegal or Senior Legal Assistant role currently available within the Family Law Team at DDCS Lawyers. We are an award-winning, specialised team providing high level legal services guided by a strong culture and client service excellence. We … Read More
It is no secret that property prices have risen significantly in almost every region around Australia over the last 12 months. An accelerated rise in real property value is usually a welcome event for property owners. However, for families experiencing … Read More
We are pleased to announce that Timothy Nicholls today joins our Family Law team at DDCS Lawyers. Tim worked with DDCS while studying law. Since then, Tim has worked in specialist family law firms in Sydney and in Canberra and … Read More
What is a Testamentary Trust? A testamentary trust is a discretionary trust set up by a Will. Creating a testamentary trust in your Will can have significant advantages for your beneficiaries instead of giving them an outright gift in a … Read More
What is intestacy? Intestacy is the term used to describe the circumstances in which a person dies without leaving a valid Will. It will usually arise in one of two scenarios. Firstly, where a person dies without making a Will … Read More
The latest Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession for Family Law in the ACT was recently released. We are proud to have again been recognised as a first tier law firm in the category of Leading Family and Divorce … Read More
The role and responsibilities of an Executor can involve considerable time and effort. As the person responsible for the administration of the estate, the role can be significant and, for that reason, sometimes people include provisions in their Will for … Read More
International child support in Australia The collection of child support from a parent living overseas can be extremely challenging. It can be difficult to collect international child support in Australia from someone living overseas. If the other parent lives outside … Read More
Leaving a valid will is the only way to be sure about who will receive your wealth following your death. If you pass away without a will, your assets will be distributed according to a formula set by law. The … Read More
When parents separate, there are a number of options to consider when arranging the financial support of the children. As experienced family lawyers, we often see that the payment of child support and the financial support of children can be … Read More
The appointment of attorneys pursuant to an Enduring Power of Attorney is an important part of a clients planning and goes hand in glove with other aspects of estate planning. There are good reasons for appointing someone to make decisions … Read More
Times are uncertain. Active cases of Covid-19 in Australia are growing, and lockdowns are being extended. These extra pressures can make parenting harder than it usually is, particularly when you are co-parenting with an ex-partner. Below are some frequently asked … Read More
The latest Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession for Wills, Estates & Succession Planning was released in early September 2021. DDCS Lawyers have again been recognised as Leading Lawyers in the 2021 Doyle’s Guide Awards for Wills, Estates & … Read More
The merger of the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court is fast approaching, so now is the ideal time to share what this will mean for those in the family law system. What is the Family Court merger? Four … Read More
As accountants and financial planners, you have insights into your clients’ financial position far before we, as estate planners, do. Becoming familiar with the many benefits of Testamentary Trusts in a variety of scenarios will help you further protect your … Read More
Whilst we hear a lot about Prenups being signed by the wealthy and famous, they are not just an agreement for celebrities. In fact, any couple in Australia considering living together or getting married can enter into a prenuptial agreement. … Read More
We are proud to work with both of these women and wish to share the news of their new titles and their strengths. We are pleased to announce the promotions of two members of our team. We congratulate Tina Lee … Read More
The prospect of having a large tax assessment in respect of an individual’s member benefit in a self-managed superannuation fund is becoming much more relevant in the context of estate planning as a result of: The increased level of … Read More
Divorce is one of the most stressful life events that any adult will experience. When children are involved the emotional responses of the adults will almost certainly impact on a couple’s ability to effectively co-parent the children. Where there is … Read More
The identification and proving of elder financial abuse is unfortunately an area of law that we are dealing with more regularly. In this article we cover what elder financial abuse is, the warning signs of elder financial abuse and what … Read More
There is often confusion around what de facto partners are entitled to by way of property adjustment when a relationship has ended. A common question we hear asked is ‘can a de facto take half?’ A common misconception is that … Read More
If you have lost a loved one you may have heard the term Grant of Probate, especially if you are named as an Executor in the Will. A Grant of Probate is needed as part of the process involved in … Read More
If you have made the decision to separate from your partner, we know as family lawyers that this can be quite an emotional time for all involved. If you have not had a need to see a solicitor before, you … Read More
More than 1.4 million owners employing upwards of 7.9 million people and contributing almost $500 billion in GDP will retire in the next decade. With family-owned businesses accounting for around 70 percent of businesses in Australia, it is important that … Read More
This article is about grandparents and contact with their grandchildren, when the children’s parents separate. It does not relate to grandparents who have had grandchildren living with them and who have been the child’s primary caregiver in place of a … Read More
When a person dies, the first question people generally ask is, ‘What do I have to do?’ As an experienced wills and estates lawyer, I often say what must be done after a person has died, depends on the answer to … Read More
When a couple separates, it is not uncommon for one of them to initially resist participating in settlement negotiations. It may be because one person is not emotionally ready to face moving on. However, it may be that one of … Read More
There are often many questions people have about Enduring Powers of Attorney including what they are, why they are needed and which documents are required. Deciding who will be your Enduring Power of Attorney is an important decision, so we … Read More
It is possible to obtain a divorce without a property settlement. Many people believe the term divorce includes all aspects of a family law matter, but this is not correct. A divorce is an order made by the Court that … Read More
Regardless of whether you are an executor of an estate, you have been left out of an estate, or you are a beneficiary having problems with an executor, the decision you make in choosing a lawyer to assist you is … Read More
For most people the summer holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year as well as planning for the next. For some people reflection results in the difficult decision to end their relationship. Consequently, family lawyers usually … Read More
When people take the step to make their will and/or estate plan, they don’t always get it right. In this article, I explore some of the more common errors that can lead to unintended or even catastrophic outcomes, such as … Read More
What would happen to your assets, family and loved ones if you were to lose your mental capacity or pass away? If you are considering this question, chances are, you should consider estate planning. You might think that because you … Read More
Parenting arrangements and relocation Parenting arrangements and relocation cases are some of the most complex and difficult cases Courts are faced with. These matters are already difficult when a parent relocates within Australia, let alone the issue of a country … Read More
If you are a separated parent and do not yet have a clear plan about who will have the children on particular days over the Christmas and school holiday period, this article has been written with you in mind. Navigating … Read More
Most of us would have heard at least one horror story about a will dispute. Some of us have even gone through it before and will know that these types of disputes can get ugly and at times even break … Read More
JOIN OUR TEAM: We have a Family Lawyer role currently available at DDCS Lawyers. We are seeking a Family Lawyer (3-5 years PAE) to join our Canberra based firm. Our firm has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a First … Read More
One of the most important considerations for separating parents is ensuring that the care arrangements optimises the welfare and stability of their children and their relationship with both parents continues. For all of the family the separation is a stressful … Read More
JOIN OUR TEAM: We have two roles currently available at DDCS Lawyers. We are seeking a Wills and Estate Lawyer (3-5 years PAE) and a Paralegal/Legal Assistant to join our Canberra based firm. Our award winning team of specialists provides … Read More
When someone comes to a lawyer to make a will, it is important that we ensure that the will-maker has the mental capacity to make their will. The mental capacity that the will-maker must have is called ‘testamentary capacity’. We … Read More
In Australia 1 in 6 women and 1 in 16 men have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or previous partner. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, every 9 days a woman is killed and … Read More
Section 102 AG of the Income Tax Assessment Act (1936) has just been amended. This amendment will have tax implications for existing Testamentary Trusts and people with testamentary trust wills where minor beneficiaries (such as children or grandchildren) expect to … Read More
The latest Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession for Wills, Estates and Succession Planning was released in August 2020. DDCS Lawyers has again been recognised as a Leading Firm in the 2020 Doyle’s Guide Awards for Wills and Estates … Read More
As estate lawyers, we often have clients come in to make a Will and they have not heard of testamentary trusts. Or if they have heard of them, they assume they are overly complicated or just for those that have … Read More
‘Who should pay the mortgage when we separate?’ Issues regarding who should pay the mortgage payments on the family home or other properties which form part of the property pool, frequently arise between separating couples. The issue often needs to … Read More
Losing a family member will be trying at the best of times, but when there is a dispute over the will things can quickly become quite messy. It is ideal to try to resolve estate disputes without going to Court … Read More
How to find a divorce lawyer – 5 tips to find the right representation for you Going through a separation can be an emotional and worrying time. While the process has its challenges, finding the right divorce lawyer for your … Read More
The latest Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession for Family Law was released in June 2020. DDCS Lawyers has again been recognised as a Leading Firm in the 2020 Doyle’s Guide Awards for Family Law in ACT. Doyle’s Guide … Read More
If you are reading this article, chances are you or someone you know, has a lot on their plate right now. You are likely to be the person coordinating and communicating with other family members, you’re likely to be fielding … Read More
Mistakes to avoid when separating For most people going through a separation, it is their first time, so it is not unusual to have no idea of the process to follow. It can be difficult to know if you are … Read More
In the ACT and NSW, you are free to make a Will and leave your estate to whomever you choose. However, this freedom is curtailed by the existence of Family Provision legislation which imposes an obligation on the willmaker to … Read More
The Family Court of Australia has experienced a 39% increase in urgent applications since COVID-19. It is well documented that the Court is already stretched in terms of its resources however yesterday the Chief Justice, in his new practice direction, … Read More
Can the drafting and signing of wills, powers of attorney and Court cases proceed during this pandemic? The answer in short is yes, albeit with significant changes in processes and protocols. We have seen a surge in enquiries for wills … Read More
The global COVID-19 pandemic is creating significant stress for many families who are juggling new work from home arrangements, altered child care and schooling arrangements and uncertain financial times. Children are facing disruption in their daily lives as their parents … Read More
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
For many Australians, superannuation is the largest component of their wealth when they die, particularly if insurance is held within the fund. Since superannuation was designed to provide for your retirement and your dependants after your death, it is often … Read More
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
For most separating parents their primary concerns include their children’s wellbeing and fear about the legal process. Consequently, the first few questions I am usually asked are these: “How do I tell the kids we’re separating?” “I don’t want to … Read More
Christmas time can bring great joy but for separated families, it can also bring significant challenges. For those of you who are experiencing your first Christmas as a separated family, this holiday season may look very different from last year. … Read More
Should I be concerned about having to go to Court to finalise parenting arrangements? There is significant misinformation in mainstream media about “the family law system” and what happens if people end up in court – especially with the backdrop … Read More
For our wills and estates team, receiving eight Doyle’s Guide Awards is a wonderful reward, mostly because the awards are voted on by members of the legal profession and external professionals such as accountants and financial planners who see the … Read More
Many grandparents play an integral role in the lives of their grandchildren, spending time with them and developing a unique relationship. But in the case of separation or family breakdown, this relationship can be affected. This might happen where the … Read More
By Theresa Dowling Those in the Australian agribusiness sector know that the rewards of life in primary production are many and varied. A family farming business can deliver exceptional gains including financial growth and success, autonomy, an enviable lifestyle, and, … Read More
A will is a legal document that is intended to clearly set out a person’s wishes after they die. Among other things, a will may determine how your assets will be divided, appoint executors to administer your estate, name a … Read More
DDCS Lawyers are delighted to be recognised once again as a top tier family law firm for the ACT in the 2019 edition of Doyle’s Guide. Doyle’s Guide is an independent organisation that provides ratings based on interviews with lawyers … Read More
By Sage Leslie One of the ways that separated parents may seek to determine the care of their children is through Parenting Orders. Parenting Orders are made by the Court, either by consent or after a contested hearing, and are … Read More
The decision to separate is never an easy one. Whether separation has been discussed previously or the announcement has come out of the blue, there are a lot of emotions involved. Along with dealing with the emotional turmoil, the actual … Read More
The High Court has found that a man who donated his sperm to a lesbian friend is the father of the child. The matter highlights the myriad factors – other than biology – that determine if someone is a parent. … Read More
The decision to separate from your partner isn’t easy. It’s likely you have to deal with emotional upheaval and the loss of the relationship. At the same time, there are also lots of matters to consider as you navigate the … Read More
Family violence remains one of the most significant issues facing women and children in Australia especially in terms of the impact on their separation and their future going forward. Family violence has a direct impact on a party’s ability to … Read More
If you have faced the task of dealing with a loved one’s estate, then you may have been asked by a bank or other third party to provide either a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. One of the … Read More
By Theresa Dowling The impact of losing a loved family member cannot be overstated. The immediate shock and grief can be compounded if you find you’ve received less than expected when it comes to their Will. There are many reasons … Read More
By Di Simpson Historically, the idea of ‘who is a parent’ for the purposes of family law has been rather straightforward. But artificial insemination, surrogacy, donor conception, DNA testing and evolving concepts of ‘family’ have made the question of parentage increasingly … Read More
When it comes to romance, you probably think of sunset walks along the beach, candlelit dinners, and receiving a big bunch of roses just because. You probably wouldn’t add a financial agreement to that list. But prenuptial agreements can actually … Read More