Separation, Family & Relationships

Practice area

Separation, Family & Relationships

Articles, case notes and commentary from the Mullane & Lindsay team.

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What is child inclusive mediation

Over time two primary models for mediation in relation to parenting disputes: the traditional (and still most common) model is “child focused” mediation but there is a growing trend to…
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Impact of family violence on children

Firstly, I appreciate that discussions about family violence can be a trigger for many people. Please make sure you feel comfortable proceeding before reading this article. Family violence takes many…
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Farms & Family Law

Farms are often considered as more than just real estate by those who own and work them.  In many cases they are passed down through the generations from parents to…
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Parental Responsibility and Decision Making for Children

Parental responsibility is defined under the Family Law Act as all the duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which, by law, parents have in relation to their children. In reality it…
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“Evatt List” comes to Newcastle FCFCOA

From 28 November 2022, the “Lighthouse Model” will expand to commence operation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia at Newcastle. The Lighthouse Model focuses on providing safety…
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Property Settlement & a Bankrupt Spouse

When you become bankrupt, all assets owned by you vest in the Trustee in Bankruptcy, for the benefit of your creditors. There are exceptions including property that you hold on…
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Why you should be Proactive in your Property Settlement

As a family law solicitor, you see it time and again, separated couples can’t reach agreement on their property matters so they put it off, or they reach agreement but…
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How to prepare for a parenting mediation

Last time I wrote about how to prepare for a mediation about property division matters.  This time we are talking about how to prepare for mediation in relation to parenting…
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Reform of the family law system

You might have seen in the news recently that the Family Law system is in for an overhaul. On 30 January 2023 the Federal Attorney General released draft legislation to…
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Emergency Care of Children

Unfortunately, the news is full of horror stories about parents being involved in family violence related incidents which end with the murder or serious injury to one parent, and the…
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Renewing our commitment to the Rule of Law

Solicitors at Mullane Lindsay have recently participated in the Opening of Law Term celebrations in Newcastle. Opening of Law Term is a special event taking place at the beginning of…
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Doing it for the Kids

Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs) play a unique role in the family law system in Australia. They are appointed by the Court to independently represent the interests of a child in…
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Were they in a de facto relationship?

One of the many vexed issues that comes before the Family Court is whether a couple have met the legal definition of having been in a de facto relationship -…
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Kids are expensive! Who pays after separation?

Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising a child.  In Australia, child support is regulated by the…
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Spouse maintenance: Australia’s answer to alimony

Spousal maintenance is a payment of money from one former partner to another after the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship.  It is the Australian version of what…
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Family Law Changes Continuing

On 29 March 2023, the Federal Government tabled the following three Bills in Parliament.  If passed, these Bills will impact on separated couples: ○ Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 ○…

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