QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Common Questions
Find clear answers to help navigate your family law journey. We believe in providing practical guidance without the legal jargon.
General Questions
What does a family lawyer do?
A family lawyer assists with legal matters involving domestic relationships. This includes divorce, property settlements, parenting arrangements, and formalising agreements reached between parties.
Do I need to go to court?
Not necessarily. Our approach focuses on reaching resolutions through negotiation and mediation wherever possible to minimise conflict, delay, and legal costs.
How long does the family law process take?
The timeline varies significantly depending on the complexity of your matter and the level of cooperation between parties. Once we have spoken with you about your circumstances we can give you a better indication as to the length of the process for you.
Service-Specific Questions
Divorce
How do I apply for a divorce in Australia?
You can apply if you have been separated for at least 12 months and there is no reasonable likelihood of resuming married life. Applications are filed through the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
Parenting
How are child custody arrangements decided?
The court’s primary consideration is the 'best interests of the child'. We help you negotiate Parenting Orders or Parenting Plans that focus on your child's wellbeing and stable future.
Property Settlement
What is the process for dividing assets?
We identify all assets and liabilities, assess contributions, and evaluate future needs. Our goal is a 'just and equitable' division through Consent Orders or Binding Financial Agreements.
Mediation
Do I have to go to mediation first?
In most parenting matters, a genuine effort at Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) is required before applying to court, unless an exemption applies for cases like family violence.
Process & Procedure
We aim to make the legal process as clear and stress-free as possible. Below is the typical journey we take together to resolve your family law matter.
01
Initial Consultation
The process begins with a 30-minute introductory call to understand your situation, provide initial high-level guidance, and determine how we can best support you.
02
Strategy & Engagement
Once engaged, we develop a tailored legal strategy. This involves gathering documentation and identifying the most efficient path forward for your matter.
03
Negotiation or Court
We represent you during negotiations to reach a fair settlement. If agreement is not possible, we support you through the Court process.
Guidelines
Fees & Billing
How much does an initial family law consultation cost?
We offer a free initial 30-minute call to discuss your situation and determine how we can best assist you. For subsequent detailed consultations, we provide transparent fixed-fee or hourly rate options which will be clearly explained during our first conversation.
Do you provide fixed-fee services for divorce or settlements?
Yes, wherever possible we aim to offer fixed-fee arrangements for specific tasks such as Divorce Applications, filing of Consent Orders, and one off advices. This provides you with certainty and peace of mind regarding your legal costs.
What payment options are available?
We accept bank transfers. For ongoing matters, we typically require funds to be held in our trust account to cover anticipated work. We are committed to working with you to find a manageable billing cycle that suits your circumstances.