Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) are a well-known part of Australian family law. They are often used to set out how property will be divided if a couple separates. But once overseas assets or a move overseas enter the picture, a common question comes up: does a BFA still hold weight outside Australia, and can it actually protect assets held overseas? The short answer is that BFAs are powerful within Australia. Their effect overseas depends on the laws of the country...
Confidence in the justice system depends on one core principle: judges must be impartial, and must be seen to be impartial. In family law matters, emotions run high and decisions can permanently affect children, finances and futures. Even the appearance of bias can undermine trust in the outcome. So when does concern about a judge’s conduct move from discomfort to a legally recognised reasonable apprehension of bias? And what does the law actually require before a judge can be disqualified...
What It Could Mean for You A Binding Financial Agreement, or BFA, is meant to give you certainty. It sets out in advance how your property and finances will be divided if your relationship ends, so you are not left guessing. But that certainty only holds up if the legal advice behind it was genuinely thorough. When it wasn't, the agreement can fail, and the consequences can be serious for everyone involved. Why the quality of advice matters so much...
When you’re in love and planning a life together, the last thing on your mind might be what happens if things don’t work out. But being prepared for the unexpected is not just smart it’s essential. Just like taking out insurance, a Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) offers peace of mind and legal clarity should your relationship end. It allows couples to define in advance how their property, assets, and financial responsibilities will be managed if they separate. At James Noble...
Parenting Orders for Children with Special Needs In Part VII of the Family Law Act (1975), there are not specific distinctions for children without special or higher needs when determining what is in the best interests of said child. These are, however, important in determining Orders that will adhere to the child’s best interests. According to studies, parents of children with developmental disabilities are twice as likely to divorce than parents of children without such conditions (Bak & Dunn, 2022)....
Binding Financial Agreements in De facto relationships If you are in a de facto relationship and cohabitating with your partner, entering into Binding Financial Agreements is the only protection you can have ahead of time to safeguard the assets you “walked” into the relationship with. This is particularly important if there is a large difference between your financial position and your partner’s financial position. A Binding Financial Agreement during a de facto relationship, therefore, sets out how the property pool...
The adoption process in Queensland is managed by the government organisation Adoption Services Queensland. A child’s Stepparent (being either married or in a de facto relationship with the parent of the child) can make an application to adopt the child if they can satisfy the below criteria: The Stepparent is an adult. The Stepparent is an Australian Citizen or the spouse of an Australian Citizen. The Stepparent is ordinarily resident and living in Queensland. The Stepparent has lived with the...
In parenting proceedings, parties are required to complete a Court form titled Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk which discloses any allegations the parent may have against the other party which places children at risk. If a party alleges there is a drug or substance abuse problem on behalf of a parent, then that parent may be required, via Court Orders, to undertake some form of drug testing. The drug testing can include urine samples and hair follicle...
Punishment For Breach of a Family Court Order In a recent decision of the Family Court, it was ordered that a mother serve an immediate term of imprisonment of 14 days and further that she be subject to a further term of imprisonment of 14 days which will be fully suspended. This arose because the mother had failed on numerous occasions to allow her child to spend time with the child’s father when there were orders in place for the...
What is Surrogacy Laws in Australia? Every day the number of children born via surrogacy arrangements in Australia and overseas is increasing significantly. By definition, surrogacy is a form of assisted reproductive technology whereby a surrogate mother offers to carry a baby through pregnancy on behalf of another person or couple (who medically or socially are unable to carry a child of their own) and then relinquishes the baby to the intended parents after birth. Is Surrogacy Legal in Australia?...
Britney Spears is making international headlines yet again, but this time there’s no new album being released or a shot gun Las Vegas wedding. Ms Spears actively continues to strongly oppose the conservatorship which granted her Father control over her finances, financial and personal decisions that has been in place since 2008. Ms Spears primary objection is that the conservatorship is no longer warranted and that it has become oppressive and used as a method of control against her. The...
Objection to vaccination of children Family Court jurisdiction 1. Children Family Court Jurisdiction: In a recent decision in the Family Court found that it was very regrettably that the mother did not support the child being vaccinated. The Court considered that her opposition to the child being vaccinated, as the child’s principal carer, would likely complicate the process and make it much more difficult for the child. The Court considered that in these circumstances it would be counter-productive for the...
More Funding for the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The recently announced 2021-2022 Budget has allocated $100 million over 4 years to the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. It is hoped that this increased funding will assist in reducing the significant delays associated with the Court, which were amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will also assist in improving safety measures for litigants, children and their families and the overworked system in general....
Covid-19 and Family Court of Australia With Melbourne currently in the midst of yet another lockdown as a result of the recent spread of Coronavirus, it’s important to know that the Courts remain up and running throughout this period. Did you know that there is a special dedicated COVID-19 Court List within the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia? The COVID-19 List operates to deal exclusively with urgent family law matters that have arisen as...
Are you separated under one roof? If you and your partner are contemplating a divorce, you have also most likely considered living separately during the process. Although it is a requirement for you and your partner to be separated for a minimum of 12 months prior to filing an Application for Divorce, there is no requirement for the parties to reside separately after the difficult decision to separate has been made. What is separated under one roof? It is extremely...
Parenting Plan During Lock Down As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily life in Australia, the added stress and uncertainty on the potential impacts on parenting arrangements for separated parents is ongoing during these unprecedented times. The short answer is that if you have Court Orders they are still legally binding during the pandemic. However, parents may need to adopt a degree of flexibility in some circumstances. For example, if a changeover is to occur at school but the...
Divorce property settlement examples Australia: Following the recent separation of billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage, it has been reported that the couple chose to separate amicably and to privately negotiate their property settlement outside of the Court and public eye. Upon the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship, parties can either negotiate and formalise a property settlement agreement privately (either by way of Consent Orders or a Binding Financial Agreement) or they can...
About The Lighthouse Project effect in Brisbane The Lighthouse Project came into effect in the Brisbane Registry of the Family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia in early 2021. It is a pilot program designed to assist the most vulnerable participants in parenting matters with concerns as to family violence, abuse or neglect, substance issues, and other safety issues. Why The Lighthouse Project? The main aim of The Lighthouse Project is to identify risk and provide parties with additional support...
Australian family law act determines your entitlements to property James Noble is a familiar face and expert family lawyers in Brisbane have suggested some way to get your Property by the Australian Family Law Act. If you are searching for legitimate advice before divide family property. This article can be a cool source to help you make the thing happen legally and by the Australian Family Law Act. The four-step approach of the Family Law Act which was adopted by...
What is a Collaborative Practice Agreement? In a Collaborative Practice agreement, the desires of the parties participating in the negotiations are ascertained prior to the first combined meeting with their lawyers and with each other at the time of the early stages of the joint negotiation meetings. It is quite common for parties to have the same wishes and goals, which are usually recorded on a whiteboard and which are visible throughout the negotiating process. James Noble Law is an...
