Changing back to your maiden name after separation or divorce
Danielle Hadida | 10 August 2018
Although there is no legal requirement to do so, many separated or divorced women revert to using their maiden name more...
Changing my child's name without the other parent's permission
LGM Family Law | 5 April 2018
Following a separation, it sometimes happens that a parent wants to change their child's surname more...
Mothers warned not to tell the truth in Family Court
Maurice Kriss | 9 October 2016
One of the most mind bending decisions for a family lawyer is how to advise a mother whose child has suffered child abuse by a father or partner more...
Mothers being forced to agree to shared parenting or lose their child
Maurice Kriss | 29 September 2016
I noticed a distinct pattern of corrupt conduct of the Family Court - mothers were called liars and accused of coaching their children to lie more...
Spousal Maintenance - what is it?
Rebecca Barron | 14 February 2016
Spousal Maintenance is often not considered properly in family law matters. A consideration of whether a party is eligible to receive Spousal Maintenance has 2 elements more...
What to tell the children when you are separating
Julia Brierley | 29 October 2015
Telling your children that you and your ex partner are planning to separate is one of the hardest things you are ever likely to do more...
Parenting After Separation
Julia Brierley | 12 October 2015
10 steps to take before you tell your children more...
How to apply for sole custody of your child
Grace Lawson | 22 September 2015
Traditionally, when a parent gained 'custody' of the children it meant that they were responsible for the care of the children and made all of the decisions affecting them more...
How to write a Affidavit
Grace Lawson | 17 January 2015
As affidavit is a sworn or affirmed document that is filed in court together with, and in support of, your application or response more...
How to self represent - Part 2 - going to Family Court
Grace Lawson | 28 December 2014
This part of the article tells you what to do, and what to say, when you do finally arrive in court more...
How to self represent - Part 1 - preparing for Family Court
Grace Lawson | 1 December 2014
Going to court without a lawyer is one of the most daunting experiences you can go through more...
How to access your superannuation funds early
Grace Lawson | 19 October 2014
Not many people are aware that superannuation funds can be accessed early on grounds such as compassionate grounds or financial hardship more...
Are mothers and children being silenced in the Family Court?
Professor Freda Briggs | 01 July 2014
Stats show that if the fathers seek residence in the Family Court, the chances are high that they will succeed. The chances are so high that Family lawyers and Womens Legal Services are advising mothers more...
ICLs - Independent Children's Lawyer Do's and Don'ts
Clarissa Rayward | 22 June 2014
Whether you have a lawyer acting on your behalf or you are self-represented, there are a few things that you can do to both assist the ICL but also more...
What is an ICL - Independent Childrens Lawyer?
Clarissa Rayward | 22 June 2014
An ICL is appointed to provide assistance to the Court by representing the best interests of the children in the proceedings. The ICL is not a direct representative of the child more...
How do you change your child's name if the other parent refuses or has gone?
Poppy Matters | 21 February 2014
Following a separation where there are children involved it is not uncommon for mothers, who are more-often-than-not their childrens primary caregiver, to ask whether it is possible to alter the childs name to match their last name more...
What do you do when your child's father won't sign their passport?
Stephen Page | 19 February 2014
For those who haven't separated, the process of taking a child overseas is pretty straightforward, you get a passport for the child, you buy a ticket and then get on the plane more...
Divorce and Separation - When Should you Split the Assets?
Sarah Bastian-Jordan | 10 December 2013
If you have been married or in a de facto relationship, you (or your former partner) may have a right to seek an adjustment or division of assets held by the other person or held in joint names more...
About to leave him? Ten steps to consider before walking out the door
Sarah Bastian-Jordan | 09 November 2013
When you have decided to end a relationship there are some practical steps you can take to protect your interests. Here are my top ten suggestions for women more...
Beware if you are a single mum through a known sperm donor
Stephen Page | 03 October 2013
...(the father) is therefore liable to pay child support but also presumptions under the Family Law Act apply as to equal shared parenting, and the possibility of equal time more...
What is Mediation? And How to Prepare
Saranne Segal | 30 August 2013
The main issues that mediators can assist with are parenting and financial issues. Custody is now referred to as "shared parental responsibility" and both parents are encouraged to play an active role in the child's upbringing. This does not necessarily mean equal time for both parents more...
Parenting after Divorce - who chooses the school?
Pamela Cominos | 28 August 2013
When parents separate, it is often the case that many areas of parenting decisions such as choice of schools for children which had been agreed upon in the relationship, are now matters that are in dispute more...
10 Tips to Help You Get Through Your Divorce
Pamela Cominos | 18 August 2013
Anyone who has been or is going through a Divorce knows how incredibly stressful this period of one's life is. Often it is not just that we have ourselves to care for but we have children, pets and financial obligations to third parties that we must meet more...
Can you have a meaningful relationship with a relocated child?
Pamela Cominos | 28 June 2013
The court has a positive obligation when using its discretion to make parenting orders, including where it considers making orders whether a child should relocate, so as to ensure that the child’s best interests are paramount. In order to determine this, it must consider primarily 2 issues more...
12 do's and don'ts for lesbians splitting up
Stephen Page | 21 May 2013
Sometimes there is an assumption that because a couple have lived together that each is entitled to half more...
Compromising with your Ex at Christmas
Lorrie Brook | 21 December 2012
It is that time of year for separated parents to remind themselves to act with empathy and sharpen their compromise skills to protect their children during the lead-up to the Christmas break more...
Divorce Parenting Arrangements for 0-4 year olds
Pamela Cominos | 9 November 2012
Do you have a child between the ages of 0- 4 years? Are you struggling with parenting arrangements for your child? One of the most difficult tasks I confront as a legal practitioner on a regular basis is drafting, proposing and filing parenting orders for children in the 0-4 year age group where parents have separated more...
8 Steps To Take When Separating
Bruce Provan | 31 October 2012
Having practised in Family Law for over 20 years, I have seen my clients and their former partners make some terrible mistakes when choosing to separate. Unfortunately sometimes these mistakes prove costly. Here are 8 simple things to do to avoid common mistakes more...
How To Find A Good Lawyer
Richelle Hampton | 14 October 2012
If you are planning to end your marriage, have instigated the separation or it has been initiated by your partner, it is essential to seek legal advice as soon as possible. The legal process of divorce is not always straightforward and can involve a number of complications more...
How to successfully negotiate family law matters
Pamela Cominos | 8 July 2012
Whether it is true or not, many people hear the words "divorce" and "family law" and conjure up images of long drawn-out court room battles, huge legal bills and bitter parties. This perception does not, thankfully, have to be the reality for the many people whose marriages and/or intimate relationships break down more...
Relocating with a child? No such thing!
Pamela Cominos | 28 April 2012
It is not uncommon for parents who have separated to want to move away, sometime a few hours away from the other parent, sometimes interstate and sometimes even overseas and nothing causes parents more grief than this scenario.Often and unfortunately with separation and divorce comes a lower standard of living more...
All About Divorce
Poppy Matters | 20 April 2012
Divorce - what it costs, how long it takes...and some common misconceptions. Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage that has been recognised in Australia. It has a finite legal meaning and relates only to the dissolution of a marriage and not the potential surrounding issues of property settlements and custody arrangements more...
Shared Care and Parental Responsibility
Erin Smyth | 17 February 2012
In 2006 changes were made to the Family Law Act that refocused the law towards what is in 'the best interests of the child' and also introduced the notion of 'equal shared parental responsibility' more...
Making A New Will When Splitting Up
Single Mum Australia Exclusive!
Stephen Page, LawyerIn the process of pain and shock of separation and divorce, often a will and related documents that concern death are the last thing on your mind more...
Adding Back Assets in Family Law Property Matters
Single Mum Australia Exclusive!
Pamela Cominos, LawyerA common issue that arises in property matters and one that causes the greatest of angst to most people are circumstances which involve one party using joint funds or property for their personal use and or benefit more...
Child Support - taking matters into your own hands
Single Mum Australia Exclusive!
Erin Smyth, LawyerWhen it comes to child support most mothers initially think of utilising the Child Support Agency to determine the amount of money the father should pay and also to monitor this process and review the amount if need be. There are however, two other options that can be utilised by single mothers more...
Parenting Orders –What can you do if one party breaches the Order?
Single Mum Australia Exclusive!
Pamela Cominos, LawyerIt is the case that parenting Orders made by consent or by the Court are sometimes breached by one of the parties and the reasons for this can be varied and many more...
Children's passport issues
Single Mum Australia Exclusive!
Stephen Page, LawyerIt would be a serious mistake to think that you could have a passport issued for your child without the father's consent when the father has not been named on the birth certificate. It may be an even bigger mistake to remove the child from Australia more...
