Documents received and/or disclosed during family law proceedings cannot be used for any other purpose other than what they were provided for. This is due to an implied undertaking or obligation to the Court, known as the Harman Undertaking.
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of mediation. It can be used by separated couples to resolve parenting and/or property disputes. We explore the types of FDR available to parties (both before and after court proceedings have commenced), the FDR process and commonly asked questions.
Family law proceedings are often messy, tiresome, and emotionally driven. In these circumstances, secretly recording your former partner to gather evidence for court proceedings may be tempting.
Before taking a family law dispute to court, separated couples are required to make a genuine effort to resolve parenting and/or property disputes by following certain steps known as the pre-action procedures.
After filing your initiating court documents, your matter will be listed for a First Return Hearing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. A First Return Hearing is a procedural hearing and, as the name suggests, is the first Court event after you have filed an application to have a matter dealt with by the Court.
When the financial climate is strained, it is common for parents to financially assist their children. How this financial support is given is important; was it a gift or a loan? This has a different effect on property settlement should the couple separate.
In Australia, if you’re separating from your partner and working through property settlement, the law treats those in a de facto relationship the same as those who are married. But there is a common question that arises quite frequently: How do I know if I’m in a de facto relationship and how do I prove it?
Are you separated/divorced and entering into property settlement negotiations with your former partner? One of the first steps will be to determine the value of your assets, liabilities and any financial resources but what happens if you can’t agree on values?
Negotiating a property settlement agreement is a significant step in moving forward after a separation or divorce. It's essential to approach the process with clarity, patience, and a focus on finding a fair and equitable solution.
Using social media during a separation or divorce is totally fine - unless of course, you are posting about your ex-partner. It is important to understand that in Australia, using social media can have an impact on the outcomes of your separation and divorce.
Let’s assume you have reached a property settlement agreement with your ex-partner following your separation. The next step is to make your agreement legal and binding. It is important to get legal advice about your property settlement agreement and to make sure that the agreement is formalised.