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In the aftermath of separation, communication breakdown often fuel conflicts between parents. While some parents excel at managing their communication, others stuggle. Valuable assistance can be found in applications that help keep interactions direct, focused, and, in some cases, legally documented for potential court use.
We’ve curated a list of five apps most commonly used which may alleviate some of the stress associated with co-parenting, and suggest you do your own further research.
Financial disclosure is a pivotal aspect of the process when a marriage or de facto relationship comes to an end. Each party must disclose their assets, income, expenses, and debt, and prove their financial contributions as this is the foundation for decisions related to property division, spousal maintenance and child support.
Superannuation splitting orders have played a significant role in achieving more favorable financial outcomes, particularly for those who took on a primary caring role during a relationship or who didn't work for other reasons. Their importance will continue to grow with the legislated increases in the superannuation guarantee employers must contribute, which will reach 12% of gross pay by 2025.
The housing market's increasing challenges have led many young couples to rely on financial assistance from parents and relatives to purchase their homes.
Research by the University of Sydney found that in Australia two in five young adults expect they will receive family help to buy their first home purchase.
While this can be a great help, it can also become a source of conflict in the event of a relationship breakdown which we know is about half the time.
Disagreements then arise about whether the funds were a gift or a loan. The distinction between the two is crucial because it can significantly impact the division of matrimonial assets and can unfairly prejudice lenders if the court gets it wrong.
There is no doubt that AI will progressively transform the legal profession
Lawyers are already using AI for various tasks such as contract review, case summaries, document review and discovery, legal opinions (with varying results!), social media content, predictive analyses, compliance and legal research to name a few.
At Focus on Family we help people navigate through the financial aspects of their divorce or separation, and to assist with parenting disputes. After years of helping clients, it’s obvious to us that there is no one solution that applies to all families, and we have seen the importance of people retaining control of their own outcomes.
The new list introduce under the new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will case manage complex property pools with a net asset pool of $20 million or more. It is one of many new initiatives aimed at improving case management in the family law system.
We LOVE it when separating couples reach an agreement by themselves, or with the help of a mediator. But the key to ensuring the agreement sticks and people can move on without future risk of a claim by the other is to have it legally formalised. Until it is formalised by one of the two ways provided for in the Family Law Act, a party can withdraw consent to the agreement (yes, even if you have put the terms into effect!) and make a claim for a different outcome in court.
Most people feel they have a good understanding of what a lawyer is, but are confident in explaining what the difference is between a barrister and a solicitor. Both are lawyers, or Australian Legal Practitioners, but they have distinct roles in family and relationship disputes.
Family law decision on who gets parental responsibility for decisions about vaccinations when parents disagree.
On 26 April 2021, the amendments to the Electronic Transactions (Victoria) Act 2000 (Vic) were permanently legislated. Electronic witnessing is here to stay.
As a family law lawyer, the phrase, ‘best interests of the child’ rolls off my tongue numerous times a day. It’s enshrined in litigation and brandied around as if there is an obvious and accepted meaning to the term. “The Court will determine the issue based on the best interests of the Child,” I say, as if there is some mathematical formula that can be applied to any child to determine the perfect solution to where he or she spends their time and who is responsible for decisions affecting them. If only it were so easy!
When people separate they often don’t know where to start. That’s generally because there is no perfect starting point. There is no tried and tested way of leaving a relationship or marriage, your separation/divorce will be as unique as your relationship is. However, getting some basic legal advice about your specific circumstances and then meeting with a mediator to discuss together the next steps, seems to work really well for some couples.
Bonnie from Focus on Family came recommended to assist with my Parenting matter and I was not disappointed. She's highly professional and the quality of her work is exceptional. But most importantly she's empathetic, made me feel like I was her only client and was very responsive. I would not hesitate to recommend Bonnie for your Family Law matter.
— A.L., Victoria
Engaging Bonnie from Focus On Family was the single best decision before and during my separation; she was the reason we were able to settle amicably. She applied both her sound knowledge of family law with great empathy and support to my situation.— A.L., Victoria
— M.V., Victoria
When parents go through an acrimonious separation process, it can be difficult to detach the children from the fight between the parents. At its worst, the children can become a weapon to attack the other parent. This article looks at the role that hte psychological process of attribution and moral disengagement plays in this.