The recent changes to the Family Law Act 1975, which largely come into effect in June 2025 will address how family violence is now considered in family law property settlement matters.

These amendments reflect the increasing prevalence of allegations of family violence in our society and within the family law jurisdiction specifically and the serious financial and emotional consequences that can result for victim-survivors.

School fees, swimming lessons, uniforms, football and dance classes, the list of the ever increasing expenses of raising children goes on. When parents separate, expenses that were once agreed and were paid from joint funds can become a point of contention.

There are particular requirements for service of divorce applications and a number of documents which must be filed with the court to prove that an applicant’s former spouse has received the divorce application in the correct manner.

Here we answer some common questions in relation to service of an application for divorce.

Many Australians may have received, or are set to receive, some type of inheritance in their lifetime. Thanks to the general rise in property prices over the last 30 or so years, such an inheritance may be significant.

A Financial Agreement, or sometimes also called a Binding Financial Agreement, is a document, similar to a private contract, between the parties in a family law matter.

The intention of a Financial Agreement is to remove the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia’s jurisdiction in relation to the financial arrangements of the parties upon their separation, or to address specific issues between them.

Harwood Andrews has commenced a partnership with Settify which allows you to begin your family law pathway. Via Settify, you can get access to general family law guidance from anywhere and at any time.

On 1 September 2021, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the Family Court of Australia merged. They have joined to become the new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

The parenting arrangements for children of separated parents can be difficult to navigate at the best of times. So, what happens when a global pandemic is also a factor in these parenting arrangements?

Whilst there is no specific family law legislation to cover the current covid-19 crisis, if there are Family Law Orders in place with respect to your parenting arrangements, you must seek to comply with those Orders.