Traditionally, the first day of December, or even the first weekend of December, Christmas trees in family homes across Australia will go up, decorations dragged out and tinsel hung along handrails. So much preparation goes into planning for Christmas to ensure that the day is perfect for all the family that [...]
By Emily Austin. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) has been under intense scrutiny in the past few years, the subject of multiple reports and enquiries which has invited feedback from many stakeholders. As a consequence of this, the Parliament is currently discussing the Family Law Amendment Bill (No 2) 2023 [...]
By Anita Petrovic. Sometimes, it just seems too hard, we know. So, what happens if you throw in the towel? If you stop engaging in the proceedings? If you just ignore everyone and everything involved in your family law matter? This may seem like an enticing thing to do, however, if [...]
By Anita Petrovic. Imagine this: You separate from your partner; you live separately for several months and have not had anything to do with each other financially since you separated. Then, you get a letter from a lawyer acting for your ex saying that s/he wants a property settlement and asks [...]
By Anita Petrovic. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) in certain circumstances requires the Court to consider making Orders for children to spend equal time between their parents. If appropriate, this could look like a ‘week on, week off’ arrangement where children spend 7 days in the care of one parent, [...]
By Anita Petrovic. Picture this: several years and sums of money later, you finally have Court Orders dividing your marital property with your ex-spouse between you; those Court Orders say that your ex-spouse has to sign certain documents to transfer an asset to you; your ex-spouse refuses to sign those documents… [...]
By Anita Petrovic. Amicable separations are not as few and far between as one might think; plenty of separated partners resolve their property settlement cordially and by consent. If you have reached agreement to settle your property matter with your former spouse, you may trust your former spouse to honour that [...]
By Anita Petrovic. It is not uncommon for a party in a family law matter to not comply with Orders of the Federal Circuit and Family Court. In parenting proceedings, after a hearing or even when Orders are made by consent, a party may not like the Orders that have been [...]
A common misconception in family law is that being in a lengthy relationship, married or unmarried, automatically qualifies you for a property settlement if you separate. The Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia in a recent property settlement case dealt with a separated couple who had been in a de [...]
The breakdown of a relationship and the subsequent co-parenting can be made more complex by a number of factors, though undoubtedly one of the most common is a lack of effective communication between the parties, which can lead to sustained conflict. How to fix this? Co-parenting phone apps such as OurFamilyWizard [...]