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Property settlement and property owned before a marriage
If you’re considering separation or are in the process of separating, you may have given some thought to how assets owned by you may be treated in any property settlement proceedings. A common question family lawyers are asked is: “Will I be able to keep property bought by me before the marriage?”
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Parental rights of sperm donors
In Australia, there is a common misunderstanding that sperm donors will automatically not hold any parental rights to a child born using artificial conception. While this may be the case in some circumstances, in other situations, a sperm donor may be ruled the legal father of a child born through his donation.
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What if my child refuses to see the other parent?
When parents separate, it’s not uncommon for children to express how they are feeling through their behaviour. Sometimes this can cause issues during child handover times. So, what should you do if you child is kicking or screaming as they refuse to spend time with the other parent?
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Disputes over who stays in the family home after separation
After the breakdown of a relationship, it would make sense for the parties to physically separate from one another by one of them moving out of the family home. However, sometimes people can’t agree on who should move out. So, who gets to stay in the family home if no one can agree?
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Major changes to the Family Law Act from October 2023
On 19 October 2023, amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 passed through the Federal Parliament with ease. The Federal Government believes that these changes will ensure that the family law system is “accessible, safer, simpler to use, and delivers justice and fairness”.
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Does my ex-partner automatically get half of everything in in property settlement?
Contrary to urban myth, often from the US movies, there is no automatic 50:50 split in property settlement in Australia. The standard to be met is a ‘just and equitable’ division of the property pool.
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Parental alienation and family law in Australia
Unfortunately, after parents separate, sometimes children are exposed to their parents’ conflict. Whilst most children will maintain good and positive relationships with both parents, a percentage may become estranged from one parent. In extreme cases, a parent might attempt to form a wedge in the relationship between their child and the other parent. This is known as ‘parental alienation’.
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What is child inclusive family dispute resolution?
Child-inclusive Family Dispute Resolution is a tailored form of mediation used in family law parenting disputes. Child-inclusive FDR aims to find the child’s voice through a process of developmental consultation and therapeutic conversation with a person called a “child consultant”.
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Family law disputes involving religion
It is unsurprising that some separating parents may have different approaches to their child’s religious upbringing. So, what happens if a dispute arises over what religion to raise your children in following separation?
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Top 6 co-parenting apps after separation or divorce
Co-parenting after separation is often laden with emotion because, after all, you are trying to figure out what’s best for your children. The good news is that there are lots of options out there to help relieve some of that co-parenting stress and conflict, including a number of apps.
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The Hague Convention and child abduction
The Hague Convention sets out the process for seeking the return of abducted children to their home country. It is an important consideration for parents who have separated or divorced and considering travelling overseas with their children.
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6 tips for successful co-parenting during school holidays
After separation or divorce, parents will often live in separate households. Separated parents don’t have to be friends, but they do have to make suitable arrangements for co-parenting any children of the relationship. This can often pose challenges around special occasions, like school holidays, festive holiday periods, Mother’s/Father’s Day and children’s birthdays.
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