Parenting Arrangements
After separation, parents need to determine several matters for their children moving forward. Some matters which need to be considered and decided are:
– Who the children will live with, and what time they will spend with the other parent;
– How special occasions will be shared between the parents;
– How significant decisions, related to matters such as education and health, will be made;
– What involvement each parent will have in the children’s health and education;
– How expenses and costs for the children will be shared.
Some matters are more complex than others and involve issues which impact on the children’s best interests and what parenting arrangements are appropriate. Such issues include:
– Domestic violence;
– Risk of harm to children;
– Special needs the children may have;
– Potential relocation of children;
– Parental conflict.
At Grace Family Law Solicitors we can assist you to make sure that your children are looked after following your separation. We can negotiate with your ex-partner on your behalf and represent you at mediation. If Court is necessary we can prepare and file your Court documents and advise and represent you at every stage of the Court proceedings.
Property Settlements
Following separation it is vital that you obtain advice about your entitlements, and obligations, in relation to any assets you owned jointly with your ex-partner, or which either of you owned separately.
Property can include, but is not limited to:
– The house and your ex-partner lived in;
– Investment properties;
– Businesses,
– Savings in the bank;
– Superannuation;
– Shares and other investments.
Usually such assets will need to be divided between you and your ex-partner following your separation. However, it is important that they are divided in such a way that is just and equitable. A number of different factors need to be considered in determining what the property split should be. Some of these factors include the length of the relationship, and the financial and non-financial contributions you both made.
At Grace Family Law Solicitors we can provide you advice about your rights regarding a property settlement, and assist you to achieve a just and equitable division of the assets. We can negotiate with your ex-partner on your behalf and represent you at mediation. If Court proceedings are necessary we can prepare and file your Court documents and advise and represent you at every stage of the Court proceedings.
Divorce
After separation it is important to obtain advice early on about divorce. There are several requirements which effect people’s eligibility for divorce, such as the length of the relationship and the period that has lapsed since separation. There are also factors which are relevant to applying for divorce and need to be considered before applying.
Such factors include:
– Whether you wish to solely apply for divorce, or whether you wish to apply jointly with your ex-partner;
– Whether you know the whereabouts of your ex-partner to serve them with the Application;
– Whether suitable parenting arrangements are in place for any children of the relationship under 18;
– Whether a property settlement is required;
– Whether you and your ex-partner have at any time after separation remained living under the one roof.
At Grace Family Law Solicitors we can advise you about all of the above and any other questions you may have, or issues which might affect your divorce. We can prepare and file your Divorce Application for you, and represent you at the Divorce Hearing.
