Your website sounds like you don't want to fight, are you really going to protect my interests?
Yes. We are most definitely going to protect your interests. That is our primary aim and the reason you engage us. Experience tells us that the best way to protect your interests is to work collaboratively with your ex-partner and their lawyer through aformal collaboration process, negotiation or mediation. If these options don’t work in your circumstances, we will continue to help you until we get a resolution that you are content with, including taking your matter to court if necessary.
Can't I just agree with my ex about who gets what? Do I need to go to court for that?
Yes! You can definitely agree with your ex about dividing property and arrangements for your children and no, you do not need to go to Court. It is, however, important to ensure that there are formal arrangements in place for your children and for the division of your property, to protect yourself in the future and make sure you are both on the same page. We believe this is best done by obtaining court orders, but you can negotiate and agree on what the orders should be, and then ask a Judge to make those orders, without actually attending Court.
What if I have issues about property and children?
We can negotiate both issues at the same time, or one at a time, whichever is best for you. If the matter needs to go to mediation then there may be separate types of mediation about children and property. Sometimes one issue will be easier to come to agreement about than the other, if that is the case then we can settle that issue by agreement and still mediate or go to court about the other issue.
Can I stop the other parent from seeing my children?
In most circumstances this is not a good thing for the children. If you have concerns for the children's safety with the other parent then we can discuss ways to ensure their safety, which may include not seeing the other parent for a while, or some form of supervised contact.
I am a Father, will I have the same rights as the Mother?
Yes. The Family Law Act focuses on the rights of the children, not the adults, however it does not differentiate between mothers and fathers. Sometimes it will be in the best interests of the children to spend more time with one parent. Usually that will be the parent who the children have the primary attachment with, which is often the one they have spent more time with - this is sometimes referred to as the primary carer. You can be a primary carer as a mother, father, non-binary parent, or another caring adult who has been a prominent carer in the child’s life. In the end, the important question to ask is 'what is best for the children?’. If that means they are better off living with the other parent at some stages in their lives, you can still have a close and loving relationship with them and we can help you find ways to ensure that you stay close.
I have separated and was in a same-sex relationship, can you help me?
Yes. Family Law applies to all couples, regardless of their gender identification and/or sexual orientation. I can help you with parenting matters, division of your property and/or divorce.
I am a grandparent / aunt / uncle or other family member, do I have any rights?
The Family Law Act focuses on the rights of the children, not the adults. However, if it is in the children's best interests to have a relationship with you, as a caring family member, we can help you to reconnect with children in your family through negotiation, mediation or, if necessary, court proceedings. The time you end up spending with those children will depend on the strength of your relationship with them, the amount of care you have provided and the reasons why the parent or other family member is trying to prevent contact.
I am a non-biological parent, do I have any rights?
Again, the Family Law Act focuses on the rights of the children, not the adults. Whether there is a differentiation between biological and non-biological parents will depend on what is best for the children. Relevant factors will be the nature and length of the relationship the children have with each of the parents, biological and non-biological.
There is violence in my relationship, how can you help?
We have assisted hundreds of victims and perpetrators of family violence. We are skilled in recognising family violence and have a large network of professional supports who we can introduce you to for help. You are not alone in this. Whether you are being subjected to control, coercion, physical, emotional, financial or sexual abuse - or whether you are behaving in a controlling, abusive or violent manner towards your family - we can help you. There is more information about how to find help on our Resources page.
I, or the other parent, have mental health, drug and/or alcohol issues, will that change things?
Drug/alcohol addiction and unmanaged mental health issues can sometimes put children at risk, unless there are safeguards in place to prevent harm. It will often still be beneficial for the children to have a relationship with that parent - as long as it is emotionally and physically safe. We can help you design a routine for your children that allows them to see both parents in ways which protect them.
Drug/alcohol and unmanaged mental health issues in the other parent may also make it more difficult to negotiate or mediate a resolution, so we will take that into account when advising you on how best to proceed.
I am neurodivergent, can you support me?
Absolutely! We have many neurodivergent people in our family lives and client base. Tell us what you need and we will do our best to put it into place. Need to know what our office space looks like before you come? No worries, we’ll email you some photos. Need appointments online, in person or by phone? Just let us know your preference. Need reminders to come to appointments because your ADHD fights you? We can do that. Need things followed up in writing because Auditory Processing is not your friend? We can make a follow up email standard after all your appointments. Need fidget toys? We have those in our offices already, for ourselves. You are welcome to fidget away with ours or bring your own. Need time out during appointments? Just let us know you need a break and we’ll pause for awhile, and show you where you can have some quiet time. If you have any specific needs, or things you would like us to be aware of before your appointment, just email, text or call us to let us know.
I am a member of the LGBTQIA+, can you support me?
Of course! The Family Law Act doesn’t discriminate on gender or sexuality, and neither do we. We are happy to hear as little or much as you would like to share about your identity, and will incorporate that into our advice. Georgia, our Victorian principal lawyer is gay, and Louise, our Queensland principal lawyer is a strong ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.
I have language difficulties and/or specific aspects of my culture that I want taken into account, can you support that?
Yes. We can arrange translators (although there is sometimes a cost to that). We can speak more slowly if that helps you. We can use short sentences and clear language. Your culture is an important consideration when making arrangements for children, and the Family Law Act recognises that. We welcome all information you can provide us about your culture, and can talk to you about options for incorporating cultural aspects into agreements or orders.
I have mobility issues, is your office accessible?
We are sorry to report that our physical offices are not easily accessible for those with mobility issues, particularly our Victoria offices. We have three office locations and all are rented, so unfortunately accessibility is not in our control. The Shepparton office has a ramp, but a step up into the building from the ramp landing. The Healesville office is on the first floor, with no lift or ramp. Our Victorian lawyers are happy to meet you somewhere that is accessible to you, and can also have appointments online or by telephone if that is easier for you.
The Toowoomba office is on the first floor, but there is an office that we can access on the ground floor when needed. Please let us know in advance so that we can see you in the ground floor office.
Is your office available by public transport?
Healesville - the main bus routes in the Healesville are routes 685 and 965. From Melbourne you can catch the train to Lilydale, then a bus to Healesville. Our office is located near bus stops.
Shepparton - the closest bus stop is just near the corner of Gowrie street and Balaclava road. Our office is a 5-10 minute walk from that bus stop.
Toowoomba - please call the office for information about how to get to our office by public transport.
