services
We provide expert advice and representation in all areas of family and relationship law, including:
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Property & financial settlementsThere is usually a need for a property and financial settlement following separation. We will advise you on what is a fair division of assets and debts and explore what process will give you the best outcome. It is important that you obtain advice early about your rights and obligations to property settlement (including superannuation), maintenance and child support.
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Parenting arrangements
The most important decision for separating parents is where their children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent and other family members, including stepparents and grandparents. We will help you make arrangements that will work best for your children.
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Maintenance
Each party to a marriage or relationship has a responsibility to financially support their spouse or de facto partner if they are unable to adequately support themselves. This responsibility can continue after separation or divorce. We will advise you of your rights and obligations to pay or receive maintenance.
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DIVORCEDivorce is the legal ending of a marriage and is separate to issues of financial support, property distribution and parenting arrangements. We will advise you of your rights and obligations before applying for a divorce or responding to an application that has been served on you as is may have unintended implications for your financial settlement or parenting case.
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Child support
Each parent is responsible to financially support their children. This responsibility is not changed by separation, where the children live, how much time they spend with each parent, or whether one of the parents has entered a new relationship. You can apply to the Services Australia for child support or you can make your own private arrangements. We can help you formalise your child support agreement for payment of periodic child support, health insurance, medical expenses, school fees, and other school expenses like uniforms, excursions, extra-curricular expenses, tutoring, books, and laptops.
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution is a way of resolving disputes out of court. If you can reach agreement without going to court you will save time, money and your stress will be reduced. Importantly, you will maintain control of the outcome. You must make a genuine effort to resolve your dispute through alternative dispute resolution before you can apply to the court for parenting or financial orders. We will help you understand what process is best for you – mediation, family dispute resolution, conciliation, or arbitration.
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Financial Agreements (including pre-nuptial)You can enter into a Financial Agreement before, during or after your marriage or relationship. These agreements are legally binding and can deal with property settlement, superannuation transfers, maintenance, and any incidental matters. Unlike a lot of our colleagues, we prepare and advise on prenuptial agreements to enable you to predetermine how property and maintenance will be dealt with in the event of a breakdown of your marriage or relationship.
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Estate Planning (Wills, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship)A Will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. We can prepare a legally binding Will that ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes after your death. At the same time, you should consider giving someone authority to look after your financial affairs and make lifestyle, health and medical decisions for you when you are no longer able to make them yourself. We offer a competitive fixed fee for the preparation and witnessing of your Will, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship.
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Relocation of children
A parent must not relocate the residence of their children to another city, state or country without the permission of the other parent or court order. Relocation matters are complicated and can have serious ramifications for children and parents, so it is important that you obtain pragmatic and expert advice from one of our specialist family lawyers.
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Conveyancing We can help you with the purchase or sale of your property including preparing and examining contract for sale, arranging building and pest inspections, examining strata inspection report, exchanging contract for sale, arranging payment of deposit and stamp duty, calculating adjustments for rates for settlement, and attending settlement. For our professional conveyancing services please call us for a fixed fee quote.
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