Our family lawyers are experienced in dealing with  family and domestic matters. We can help people who are married, people who live together in de facto relationships including same sex relationships, parents of children, grandparents who care for grandchildren or wish to spend time with grandchildren, adoptive parents and step parents.

Separation and Divorce

If you have recently separated, and there is little chance of reconciliation, there are three main issues to consider:

• Who will care for the any children of the relationship
• The division of all matrimonial property including real estate, superannuation, bank accounts, shares and who will be responsible for any debt
• The legal end of a marriage. A couple must be separated for at least 12 months prior to making an Application to the Court for a divorce.

Care of Children

Unless it is contrary to their best interests, children have a right to a significant and ongoing relationship with both parents following a separation. We assist parents in finalising arrangements for the appropriate care of their children in circumstances when both parents are no longer living together.

Property Settlements

We can help separated couples to divide their property, which may include real estate, superannuation, bank accounts, shares and vehicles and who will be responsible for the respective debts.

We can also help with:

• Domestic violence, including obtaining or defending a Protection Order
• Prenuptial Agreements, drafted and signed prior to marriage, which outline how assets and debts will be divided if the marriage breaks down
• Financial Agreements, signed by people entering into a de facto relationship, which outlines how assets and debts will be divided if the relationship fails
• Child abduction by a parent
• Surrogacy
• Adoption
• International disputes

Visit us at our specialist family law website for further information.