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Key Insights Into Family Law (Property) Reforms in 2024
Family law (Property) changes from 10 June 2025 To learn more about changes made to Family Law (Property) as of 10 June 2025, please view the Attorney-General’s Department fact sheet. (Article updated June 2025) Australia’s family law landscape is in the midst of transformation, with the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (FLAA)...
How Recent Changes to the Family Law Act Are Unfolding in 2024 – A Guide For Families
Australia's family law landscape has witnessed significant transformations impacting separated parents, especially with the recent Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth) (FLAA) which will operate from 6 May 2024. This is a guide for parents who want to better understand how recent changes may affect their personal situation and...
How will Family Law relocation cases be decided in 2024?
A “relocation case” arises when a parent wants to move to a place far away enough from their current location that it will impact the time that the other parent spends with the children, resulting in a disagreement on the children’s future living situation and arrangements to spend time with each parent. Disputes about whether...
Financial Agreements – Back to Basics
This Webinar looks at the basics of drafting and advising on a financial agreement and minimising the risk of a financial agreement under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA) being found not to be binding or being set aside. It covers: Ensuring compliance with the relevant sections of the FLA Subject matter When is an agreement...
Evolving ‘Best Interests’ Factors For Post-Separation Parenting – What You Need To Know About Family Law Reforms in 2023
Australia's family law landscape is undergoing significant changes that may impact separated parents. The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (FLAA) is at the centre of these reforms, aiming to streamline and clarify certain aspects of family law. These changes will impact parents, children, and legal professionals alike. Please...
Family Law Property Settlements – Fraud, Tax Evasion, Bankruptcy and Family Violence
Bad behaviour by separating couples is all too common. Fraud, tax evasion, bankruptcy, failing to disclose financial circumstances and other bad behaviour can result in negative outcomes for the recalcitrant party in property settlement proceedings. The topics I will cover are: Overview of property settlement process Bad...
Is “fault” back? – Proposed property reforms to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
The Federal Government has proposed changes to those parts of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA) which direct how property settlements between separated couples are determined. Primarily the proposed amendments aim to clarify the process followed by the courts to determine the parties’ property entitlements and codify...
Show Me the (Interim) Money: Running Interim Spousal Maintenance Claims in the FCFCOA
Introduction It is no secret that the primary goals of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) are to encourage dispute resolution and reduce the time and costs for parties to resolve their disputes. However, for many parties the new case management pathway and procedures have not resulted in more expedient...
Section 90B Binding Financial Agreements: Precision Drafting for Now and Into the Future
The reality is that, for some clients, happily ever after involves the parties eventually going their separate ways. When relationship breakdown occurs, how watertight is a financial agreement under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA)? This paper takes a risk-averse approach to financial agreements, examining some of the...
Tips and Traps of Drafting Financial Agreements
This article covers the following traps, and tips on how to avoid them or minimise the risks: Changes in the law Contingencies – changes in the parties’ circumstances Changes in entities and business operations Dealing with superannuation Inequality in bargaining power Disclosure or lack of disclosure Quarantining assets...