Should You Move Out of the Family Home After Separation? When a relationship ends, one of the first practical questions is often: who should move out of the family home? Living together may have become uncomfortable or unworkable, and leaving can seem like the simplest solution. But before packing your bags, it is worth understanding the potential financial and parenting implications. In short: moving out [...]

Are Family Trust Assets Protected in Divorce? Family trusts are commonly used for tax planning, business structuring, succession planning and asset protection. However, when a relationship breaks down, assets held in a family trust may still be relevant to a family law property settlement. A trust does not automatically place assets beyond the reach of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (‘the [...]

Prenups in Australia: What Is a Binding Financial Agreement? Many people have heard the term “prenup” through movies, media or overseas legal systems. In Australia, however, the legal term is usually a Binding Financial Agreement, or BFA. A Binding Financial Agreement is a private legal agreement between two people that sets out how some or all of their property, assets, liabilities and financial resources will [...]

The Impact of Family Violence on Property Settlements When people think about family law property settlements after separation, the focus is usually on who brought what into the relationship, what was earned, and how assets should be divided. But that’s no longer the full picture.Significant amendments to the Family Law Act came into effect in 2025, recognising that family violence including financial and economic abuse [...]

Time Limits After Separation: When Is It Too Late to Make a Claim? After separation, most people focus on immediate concerns, where they will live, arrangements for the children, and how day-to-day expenses will be managed. What is often overlooked is this: family law claims are subject to strict time limits in Australia. If those limits expire, you may lose your right to seek [...]

Understanding Property Settlements In Australian Family Law. Property settlement in Australia is the legal process of dividing assets, money, and debts following a divorce or de facto separation.  The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) provides a framework for determining how property should be divided, taking into account the length of the relationship, the contributions made by each party, and the future needs each partner may [...]

Historically, our pets have been treated as personal property in the family courts. Even though most of us would regard our pets as being akin to our children, the court has not yet made laws which are consistent with the realities of this emotional bond. Some recent changes in the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) however, have now recognised “companion animals” as their own [...]

Going through a relationship breakdown is never easy. It can create waves of emotion, leaving you unsure of what to do next. At a time like this, making decisions about your future, especially legal ones, can feel daunting. Getting help and guidance through the divorce process makes it more manageable.  The only stipulation for divorce in NSW is that a couple must already be separated [...]

The law regarding pets in New South Wales is largely confined to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Companion Animals Act. You may have noticed that specific dog breeds such as Corgis, Rottweilers, and Boxers now have long tails, unlike the docked or cropped tails that were common some years ago. This is because it is now illegal to dock or crop [...]