By Anita Petrovic. In an unfortunately large proportion of family matters, one or more of the parties will find themselves dealing with the stress and/or trauma of having experienced family violence. As lawyers, we engage with clients who may have significant trauma arising from their experiences and who we ask to [...]
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 [...]
Subpoenas are legal orders issued by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia that require the production of specific documents or information, or requires named persons to attend Court to give evidence. An example of when a subpoena may be issued is if one party fails to disclose relevant material [...]
By Anita Petrovic. Parenting orders about time between a parent and their child is not dictated purely by the wishes of the child. However, the older your child becomes, the more likely it is as a matter of practicality that the children begin dictating what time they spend with each parent. [...]
By Molli Clements. In the legal world, errors or mistakes can occasionally occur in court orders despite the best efforts of all parties involved. Luckily, the judicial system recognises this possibility and provides a mechanism to correct these errors promptly. In Australia, the Slip Rule, introduced under Rule 10.13 of the [...]
I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER for the CHAIN OF FOOLS singer Aretha Franklin’s family arguing over which Will to R-E-S-P-E-C-T after she died in 2018 While it is strongly recommended that you consult an experienced Wills and Estates solicitor to assist you in drafting your Will, did you know that a [...]
By Anita Petrovic. One of the primary considerations in parenting matters is the right of a child to have a meaningful relationship with both of their parents as set out throughout Part VII of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). So, when will the Court decide that it is best for the children [...]
By Anita Petrovic. Being on the receiving end of an Order for your time with your children to be supervised can be unpleasant (to say the least), particularly where you consider the allegations against you that lead to the supervision Order to have been fabricated. Orders for supervised time between the [...]
Family law matters can be complex and emotionally challenging. Unfortunately, misconceptions about family law often can lead to confusion and misguided decisions. Five common family law misconceptions are debunked below: Divorce settles property and parenting matters Obtaining a divorce only terminates the marriage certificate and does not address property settlement or [...]