Married couples, those in a civil partnership and people living together in what’s known as a ‘de facto’ relationship have certain legal rights. People in de facto relationships (including same sex couples) share many of the same legal rights as…

In Australia, domestic violence is defined by the Family Law Act (1975) as “violent, threatening or other behaviour by a person that coerces or controls a member of the person's family, or causes the family member to be fearful”. This…

The divorce rate in Australia is at its lowest level since 1976, when the Family Law Act was introduced. However, with a current divorce rate of 1.9, divorce is sadly still an outcome for many marriages across Australia. Deciding ‘who…

Surrogacy laws vary across Australian states. In this post, we’ll look at surrogacy laws in Queensland, assessing the legalities surrounding the issue. We aim to provide you with the help and advice you need to make an informed decision, covering…

No matter how a relationship breaks down, the end of a relationship can be an emotional and difficult experience. However, the strain placed on both parties and their families isn’t purely emotional, as there can also be significant financial implications.…

What are the alternatives to going to court? Going to court is a lengthy and costly route to take in family law matters. The process from application to final hearing (in cases where resolution can’t be reached along the way)…

For de facto relationships when the relationship starts and ends isn’t as clear as when you marry.  For example, you don’t usually hold a ceremony to celebrate ‘moving in together’. While you can register your relationship by lodging a form…

If you are recently separated or have been separated for some time, and have matters to discuss with your former spouse, Family Dispute Resolution and Mediation are two forums which provide parties with the opportunity to have open discussions and…