On 1 September 2021, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) commenced operation. A number of changes were introduced with the commencement of the integrated Court including a new case management pathway and a reform of the pre-action procedures. The new case management pathways and pre-action procedures put a greater emphasis on alternative… Read More
Following a separation, parents do not have to go to court about the care arrangements for their children. As a matter of principle, we encourage our clients to reach an agreement if possible without the need to resort to the Family Law courts. One advantage in reaching an agreement is that the legal fees will be… Read More
It is well known that a Will is a legal document which sets out how a person wants their assets to be distributed once they die. If you are over the age of 18 you can make a Will – provided you have capacity. In general terms a person will have the necessary capacity if… Read More
The Family Court of Australia was one of the first courts to recognise self-represented litigants as a permanent and significant client group. Research indicates that 20 to 30 per cent of Family Court cases involve a party who is self-represented at some point. It is important to weigh up the benefits of using a lawyer… Read More
Testamentary trusts can be very effective estate planning tools to assist in providing for spouses, children and grandchildren, and are becoming increasingly popular as more people become aware of their advantages. A Testamentary Trust is any trust established under a will, but the term is usually used in the context of a discretionary family trust… Read More