Family Law

What’s in a name?

  • June 10, 2022

Earlier this year, a Court in Italy ruled that children will automatically have the last names of both parents unless they agree otherwise. It remains to be seen how this will affect circumstances where one parent is absent or perhaps a perpetrator of severe domestic violence, though it would seem likely that future laws will…

Can you smack your Kids?

  • November 15, 2021

Under the Queensland Criminal Code the act of physically striking a person is an assault and is punishable by fines and even imprisonment of up to seven (7) years in extreme cases. Section 280 of the Code however, permits a parent or their proxy to use reasonable force in administrating correction or discipline of a…

DIVORCE: How can you pick a good Family Lawyer from a bad one?

  • November 26, 2020

DIVORCE How can you pick a good Family Lawyer from a bad one? The selection criteria to choose a Lawyer for representation in a relationship breakdown is usually restricted to what can be seen from alluring websites, advertising and the Lawyer’s own boasts about levels of experience and longevity in the industry. The truth of…

Why litigate your family law matter when you can mediate?

  • October 12, 2020

Why litigate your family law matter when you can mediate? Sorting out the division of property/debts and resolving ongoing care arrangements for children is often very problematic at the end of a relationship. If the couple cannot agree, they have the option of putting the dispute into the Family Court and having a Judge resolve…

The February 2020 Senate Inquiry into Domestic Violence – Part 2

  • August 13, 2020

The February 2020 Senate Inquiry into Domestic Violence Did it fail? PART 2 Well, let’s look at some of the recent statistics: The overall number of deaths has fluctuated but shown no sustained decrease; There’s been less physical violence since the 90’s but an increase in sexual assaults; and In Queensland, we’ve had a double-digit…

The February 2020 Senate Inquiry into Domestic Violence – Part 1

  • July 23, 2020

The February 2020 Senate Inquiry into Domestic Violence. Did it fail? PART 1 Following the horrific murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children in February this year, our Federal Senate referred an inquiry to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee to report on and grade the efficiency of our current strategies in combating domestic…

ARE YOUR TREES UNDER THREAT FROM YOUR NEIGHBOURS

  • June 15, 2020

ARE YOUR TREES UNDER THREAT FROM YOUR NEIGHBOURS An abundance of plants and tree life in a garden is for many a wonderful thing but sometimes those same plants and trees provoke complaints from a neighbour over unwanted shade, obstruction of views or even damage from tree branches or roots. In these scenarios the affected…

How does Covid-19 impact on legal services and the law

  • May 9, 2020

How does Covid-19 impact on legal services and the law Although undoubtedly, the present restrictions on human contact and movement are having an unpresented impact upon Australia’s economic prosperity and these same factors are undoubtedly impacting also on many people from a mental health perspective. For the most part, none of these restrictions should effect…

Impact of Covid -19 Issues on Family Law Child Care Arrangements

  • April 10, 2020

Impact of Covid -19 Issues on Family Law Child Care Arrangements With the rapid spread of Covid-19 infections worldwide and the consequent sudden and dramatic government imposed restrictions on human movement and general contact, separated families which have been operating under existing Family Court consent orders, parenting plans and/or personal informal agreements are understandably in…

DIVORCE: Can one spouse kick the other out of the house?

  • April 7, 2020

DIVORCE: Can one spouse kick the other out of the house? In the breakdown of any marriage or defacto relationship, the law gives to each of the spouses the right to apply for a Court Order that will force the other spouse to exit and remain away from the family home. There are two ways…