Areas of practice

We are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for you and your family.  We offer a broad range of specialised family law services, which include the following:

Your first consultation - divorce checklist

Separation and Divorce

• An application for a divorce can only be made if parties have been separated for a continuous period of more than 12 months.
• Parties can be separated even though they are residing under the "one roof".
• Once you are divorced you have twelve months within which to apply to the Court for a property settlement or spousal maintenance.  After that time you must obtain the permission of the Court to apply.
• If you have been married less than two years, you will both be required to attend counselling to discuss the possibility of reconciliation prior to filing an application for a divorce
• Applications for a divorce must be made to the Federal Magistrates Court of Victoria.

Child Related Issues

• Significant reforms have resulted in a change in approach to parenting arrangements.
• The best interests of children will be taken into account when determining the time the children will spend with their parents after separation.
• Parties must attempt to resolve issues regarding parenting arrangements through mediation and file a Dispute Resolution Certificate before Family Court proceedings can be issued.
• What is a parenting order?
• What factors does the Court take into account when making orders?

Artificial Conception

• Surrogacy;
• Parentage issues;
• Parenting orders in commercial surrogacy arrangements;
• Parentage orders in altruistic surrogacy arrangements;
• Co-parenting arrangements;
• Sperm and ovum donation agreements.

Financial Matters

• The four step process taken by the Court in assessing your property entitlements.
• Documenting a financial settlement by way of Court Orders of a Financial Agreement.
• What is maintenance?
• The relevant law with respect to property division is found in Sections 79 and 75(2) of the Family Law Act 1975. 

GLBTI Family Law Issues

• Children's matters
• Property matters
• Donor agreements
• Financial agreements
• Registration of your relationship

Child Support

• Child Support Assessments
• Private Agreements

Collaborative Law

• Collaborative law is a process in which parties and their lawyers commit to resolving a family law dispute outside of litigation.
• Parties and their lawyers use an “interest based” approach to negotiations, which focuses on outcomes and solutions for the parties.  
• All negotiations are confidential and advice is given openly to both parties in an open forum during a series of "four way" meetings.
• Third party experts such as counsellors, psychologists, accountants and financial planners can all participate in the collaborative process as and when necessary.
• Lawyers for both parties must be trained in collaborative law to participate in collaboration.

Mediation and Alternate Dispute Resolution

• Mediation is an informal process, and a confidential means of attempting to resolve disputes between parties.
• Mediation is intended to bring parties together to reach a resolution.
• A mediator cannot impose a decision on the parties; rather they facilitate discussions and explore issues in depth to attempt to reach agreement.
• Mediation can be a cost effective way to resolve disputes and can form part of the Court process.
• Mediation should be considered as early as possible after a dispute has arisen.

Family Violence and Intervention Order matters

• Intervention Orders under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008
• Intervention Orders under the Stalking Intervention Orders Act 2008