The relevant principles applying to financial agreements to determine the provision of independent legal advice to achieve compliance with s 90G and s90UJ of the Family Law Act. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) governs the binding nature of financial agreements between parties in Australia, with particular emphasis on compliance with sections 90G and 90UJ. Central to this compliance is the provision of independent legal advice, which safeguards the understanding and consent of each party. This legal advice must address...
The concept of rectification in the context of binding financial agreement is a significant facet of family law. It serves as a legal remedy aimed at ensuring the true intentions of the parties are accurately reflected in written agreements. This discussion explores the principles and conditions under which rectification is granted, with reference to a recent Family Court decision. The framework for such legal action is grounded in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), specifically sections 90K and 90KA, which...
Binding Financial Agreement The Court imposes strict requirements for financial agreements to be binding as a binding agreement will oust the jurisdiction of the Court to make orders under the Act (subject to the power of the Court to set the agreement aside). The first of the technical requirements is that the agreement must specify the relevant section of the Act under which the agreement is made. In the absence of an express provision in the document the agreement is...
Binding Financial Agreement to be legally binding There are certain requirements that must be adhered to for a Binding Financial Agreement to be legally binding. If these requirements are not adhered to, the Agreement may not be upheld in the future if challenged. Here are some things to consider: Did you receive adequate legal advice? In the decision of Hoult & Hoult [2013] FamCAFC 109, the parties entered into a Financial Agreement before they were married. The Judge ruled that...
They are property issues and superannuation. Superannuation Legislation for many years was not property under the Family Law legislation and the Court had no power to deal with it although the Court, to overcome this difficulty, made an adjustment to a party’s interests and in some cases extreme adjustments to compensate a party for the loss in the other party’s superannuation. The classic examples for high adjustments related to people in professions or employment where there were large superannuation interests...
Preparing an Airtight Binding Financial Agreements Binding Financial Agreements (BFA), also referred to as “pre-nups” are created when two parties have made a fully informed decision to enter into a binding agreement. The creation of an Airtight Binding Financial Agreements requires the parties to disclose their financial position, provide reasonable time to consider the agreement and obtain independent legal representation to avoid any undue influence or pressure on the other party. This document effectively allocates assets and other financial resources...
Binding Financial Agreement & Provisions of Family Law Act While binding financial agreement, Parties may wish to determine the ownership of their assets and liabilities whilst contemplating or living in a relationship (including same-sex relationships), contemplating entering into a marriage, during a marriage or after a divorce, may wish to set out terms in an agreement which determines how their property and liabilities should be determined should their relationship break down. Provisions in relation to Binding Financial Agreement came into...
What is a binding financial agreement? A Binding Financial Agreement is a private contract between two parties in which they are effectively finalizing property settlement and spousal maintenance issues outside of the Court. Also referred to as “pre-nups”, binding financial agreements are created between parties of a relationship or marriage to legally protect and allocate assets if the event the marriage ceases. Whilst many people believe planning for divorce before the marriage begins is controversial, a binding financial agreement is prudent estate planning, similar to...
Are binding financial agreements help to improve Relations between two Parties in Australia? The answer is yes! Well if they are done properly anyway. It is a common misconception that Binding Financial Agreements / Prenuptial Agreements are simple contracts between two people that must be followed when the agreement comes into effect. It is widely believed that all that is required for a written agreement to binding two parties to a relationship is that a lawyer witness the parties signature...