The child support legislation imposes a legal obligation on parents to provide for the financial support of their children. The role of Services Australia (Child Support) (or as they are more commonly known, the “Child Support Agency”) is to assess and collect child support. The amount of child support payable pursuant to an assessment is […]
Methods available for the collection of child support Read More »
An Independent Children’s Lawyer (“ICL”) is a Solicitor appointed by a Judicial Officer in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in certain parenting cases as a representative of the child. Their prima facie role is to assist the court to reach a decision which is in the “best interests of the child.” ICLs
I have an ICL appointed, what is that and what will they do? Read More »
The general rule in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is that all evidence is provided in written (affidavit) form, unless otherwise ordered. In most cases, the only time a party or witness will sit in the witness box to give evidence is at a final hearing (trial), when they are “cross examined”
Being Cross Examined in the Family Courts: Practical Tips Read More »
Arbitration has been available in family law matters for more than 25 years. However, only following amendments to the Family Court Rules in 2016 which put a comprehensive system in place, have family law practitioners had confidence in this form of dispute resolution. What is a family law arbitration? Family law arbitration is a process where the
Arbitration in family law: What is it and when should it be used Read More »
Parents with a blended family sometimes seek advice about a step parent adopting a child of the other parent. The main reasons a person might seek advice about step parent adoptions are when: I have now assisted a number of families to complete successful step parent adoption applications. However, I also have a personal interest
Step Parent Adoptions: The how and why- and why I do them Read More »
The Family Law Act provides that a spouse may have a right to obtain maintenance for themselves from the other party to a marriage or a defacto relationship after separation. A party may be found to be liable to maintain the other party after they separate to the extent that they are reasonably able to do so
