Many people assume that the breakdown of a legally recognised relationship, be it a marriage or a de facto relationship, will automatically result in a property settlement occurring. Whilst this is true in the majority, some relationships have unique details and peculiarities that differentiate them from the norm. Below is an example of one such … Continue reading “No Property Settlement Orders – Even After 27 Years…”
Family Lawyers are often asked by parents (usually, the primary caregiver for a child) about their ability to change their child’s surname, after separation or divorce. That parent might have reverted to using their maiden name, or might ultimately be re-marrying a new partner with an entirely different surname. Occasionally, there may be several children … Continue reading “Renaming A Child – Can I Change My Child’s Name After Separation?”
Clients often come to an initial consultation with us stating that they “want a divorce”, when what they really mean is that they want to resolve a property settlement dispute with the other party or to sort out their parenting arrangements following separation. Whilst many clients genuinely believe the term “divorce” to be all-encompassing, and … Continue reading “17 Things You Need To Know About The Divorce Process”
I’m talking about Microsoft Excel, and I’m going to convince you that spreadsheets are your best friend in any property settlement case. Here’s why: Disclosure Why not use an Excel spreadsheet to list your disclosure documents (and the other party’s!), rather than doing it in Word? The benefit of preparing the List in Excel is … Continue reading “Want to Excel in your Family Law Case?”
Child support can be defined as: ongoing financial assistance made by one parent to the other to assist with the costs of raising the children of the former relationship. Parties will often rely upon the Child Support Agency to make “administrative assessment” of the parties’ incomes in order to determine the precise sum payable. In … Continue reading “Take Control of Child Support”
The Team as DS Family Law wish you a joyous Christmas and a wonderful, safe and prosperous New Year. For your convenience, please note that our office will be closed from 12pm on Friday, 22 December 2017, and will reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday, 2 January 2018. If you wish to make an enquiry over … Continue reading “Merry Christmas! And Office Closure Hours”
We are pleased to announce that Shivon Smilovitis has joined the firm, as Managing Solicitor of the Mandurah Office. Shivon started working in family law in Mandurah in 2001, and having lived in the area since 1998 she has developed a strong understanding of the local community and its needs. Shivon spent many years operating her law … Continue reading “Shivon Smilovitis joins DS Family Law”
So you have just been served with an Application for Parenting Orders by the children’s father. Since separation over three years ago, the children have lived exclusively with you, and Dad has been largely absent from their lives. For the past three years, Dad has lived in Sydney, and apart from his child support and … Continue reading “School holidays in Bali… But do you have consent?”
As a family lawyer with 20 years’ experience in trying to resolve some of the most bitter, intractable disputes between separating spouses, there are occasions when you think you’ve seen it all. Then, something happens that restores your belief that there are no lengths to which someone will go to “get one over” on the … Continue reading ““She’s not getting the house”….so this happens!”
“within 12 months” and “within 2 years” – what do these phrases mean? When parties to a relationship separate, it is generally considered to be in their best interests if their financial relationship is also brought to a conclusion. Limitation period for married couples The above principle is given express legislative force by way of … Continue reading “I’m Late! Understanding time limits in the Family Court”
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