Closed for Christmas Break: Our office will close at 11:30am on Friday, 20 December 2024, and reopen at 8:30am on Monday, 13 January 2025.

Reliable Child Support Lawyers in Brisbane

Set their path with love and certainty. Binding Child Support Agreements provide stable support for growing years.

Finding Child Support Lawyers in Brisbane

Dealing with child support can be tough. It’s not just about money, it’s about ensuring your children have a secure future. It’s natural to worry about fairness and sufficiency, but the priority is to build a stable foundation for your children’s wellbeing.

Every decision made should prioritise the best interests of the children.

child future
binding child support agreements

What Is a Child Support Agreement?

A child support agreement is a formal arrangement between parents in family law. It covers the financial support for their children following a separation or divorce. These agreements ensure that children receive adequate financial support from their parents. It covers various aspects of their upbringing and welfare, like school fees.

Child support agreements are handled by Australia’s child support agency, Services Australia. The primary consideration in any child support agreement is the best interests of the child or children involved.

What Are the Advantages of Having a Child Support Lawyer?

Benefits and Importance

Child support lawyers can help ensure your child support agreement is fair and legally binding. These experts assist you in navigating the process smoothly, ensuring that every decision supports the best interests of your children.

With their guidance, you can secure an agreement that accurately reflects your children’s needs, providing them with a stable and secure future.

Common Challenges and Solutions

When finalising a child support agreement, one major challenge is finding common ground that protects the interests of all parties involved, especially the children. Child support lawyers play a crucial role in this process by offering their expertise to mediate and propose fair and equitable solutions.

They ensure the final agreement is in the children’s best interest and help parents focus on what truly matters.

How Our Child Support Lawyers Can Help You?

Discrepancies in reported income

Our child support lawyers work with experts such as forensic accountants to ensure complete financial disclosure by all parties.

We will work to secure appropriate financial support for your family.

Changes in Financial Circumstances

If a party has experienced a change in financial circumstances, you may need a new child support agreement. You need to receive another administrative assessment to accommodate these changes.

Our child support lawyers can ensure you get a fair agreement that reflects your needs.

Non-payment or Underpayment

We can advise on mediation opportunities to resolve payment issues. We will follow up with enforcement orders through the Family Court if necessary.

Ensuring Full Disclosure

We ensure a complete and honest disclosure of financial information from both parties. This transparency is crucial to avoid any misunderstandings or ambiguities in the agreement.

 
 

Our Process

Planning The Case
  • Initial Consultation: Meet with the client to understand their specific needs and concerns.
  • Legal Research: Conduct thorough research to understand the legal implications of the case.
  • Strategy Development: Develop a comprehensive strategy tailored to the client’s situation.
Detailly Evaluate Situation
  • Financial Assessment: Review all financial documents and assets involved.
  • Parenting Assessment: If children are involved, evaluate the best interests of the child.
  • Risk Analysis: Identify any potential risks or challenges that may arise during the case.
File Case To The Court
  • Documentation: Prepare all necessary legal documents, such as petitions, affidavits, and financial disclosures.
  • Filing: Submit the case to the appropriate court jurisdiction.
  • Court Appearances: Represent the client in court hearings and negotiations.

Why Choose Us?

Choosing a law firm that specialises in this area and puts your needs first is essential. Andrews Family Lawyers is an excellent option for a few reasons:

Expert Advice:

We deeply understand family law and can guide you step by step through the process. We’ll make sure everything is done correctly and efficiently.

Personalised Attention:

Every case is unique, so we take the time to understand your circumstances. Your concern will be tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Proven Success:

We have an excellent track record of handling cases successfully. You can trust us to handle your case with professionalism and care.

Client-Focused Approach:

We want to ensure you feel comfortable and informed throughout the legal process. We’ll do everything possible to make it as stress free as possible.

Accessible and Supportive:

Our team is approachable and supportive. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and provide the support you need to get through the process.

Don't let a binding child support agreement confuse you.

Contact us for assistance!

Meet Peter Andrews

Peter is a qualified legal practitioner with over twenty years of experience, predominantly in family law. Peter began his career with Clayton Utz before moving into suburban practice in 2007 with a focus on family law settlements.

Peter began his practice, Peter Andrews Lawyer Pty Ltd, in 2013. After many years of success, the business was rebranded Andrews Family Lawyers in 2022.
Peter is a married father of three young, intelligent and often annoying children who are still lovely.

Trusted By Our Clients

With a proven track record in resolving complex family law issues, we've earned the confidence and trust of families across north Brisbane.

Thank you, Peter from Andrews Family Lawyers, it was a pleasure dealing with you. A no complication to the point settlement. Your open and honest demeanor helped my ex-partner and I to expediently resolve our financial situation so we can move forward with our lives. Once again thank you.

Chris Monteiro CLIENT

Peter is an outstanding lawyer, with the knowledge, experience and stamina to succeed in family law matters. Would highly recommend his services to anyone who needs to achieve a successful outcome in their proceedings.


Fabio Mazza CLIENT

Our Brisbane Child Support Lawyers Is Ready to Help

If you’re considering a binding child support agreements, it’s crucial to seek legal advice from a qualified family lawyer to guide you through the process is crucial. At Andrews Family Lawyers, we specialise in family law and can provide the expert advice you need. Contact us today to learn more.

Our Services

At Andrews Family Lawyers, our legal practice areas are carefully tailored to address a broad spectrum of family law matters. With a dedicated team of expert family law specialists in Brisbane and 20 years of experience, we excel in providing comprehensive legal services across various practice areas, ensuring that our clients receive the specialised guidance they need.

Let Us Help You !

We’re here to provide expert guidance and support for your legal needs.

Relevant Articles

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Binding Child Support Agreement
Know the Pros and Cons of Binding Child Support Agreements (Guide for Parents)

When parents get a divorce, it’s best that they consider whether child support is necessary. You need to carefully think

child custody lawyers near me
How To Find The Right Child Custody Lawyers Near Me?

Additional resources: Best Child Custody Lawyers Brisbane Child custody matters require a personalised and empathetic approach. Good family lawyers will

Child Custody Lawyers Brisbane
5 Best Child Custody Lawyers Brisbane (with results)

Additional resources: How To Find The Right Child Custody Lawyers Near Me? When organising custody of children after divorce, some

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

  1. Limited child support agreement

A Limited Child Support Agreement allows parents to formally agree on financial support for their children following separation or divorce. These are some of the critical aspects of limited child support agreements.

  • Legal Advice Not Required
    Unlike Binding Child Support Agreements, parents do not need to obtain legal advice before entering into a Limited Child Support Agreement. However, seeking independent legal advice is still recommended to understand the implications fully.
  • Child Support Assessment
  • Duration and Changes
  • Enforcement

Considerations

A limited agreement guarantees a minimum payment amount tied to an objective child support formula. Our firm can help you pursue a limited agreement with the necessary financial documentation.

2. Binding child support agreement

A Binding child support agreement is the other primary way for parents to formally arrange for one spouse to pay child support. Binding agreements have specific differences from limited child support agreements. Here are some of the critical aspects of a binding child support agreement.

  • Legal Advice Requirement
    Unlike Binding Child Support Agreements, parents do not need to obtain legal advice before entering into a Limited Child Support Agreement. However, seeking independent legal advice is still recommended to understand the implications fully.
  • Written and Signed Agreement
  • Flexibility in Terms
  • Enforceability
  • Long-Term Arrangement

Considerations

Since no assessment is necessary, a binding agreement is more flexible than a limited agreement. However, it’s critical that the essential legal advice effectively covers how a proposed agreement affects you. Our team will work to ensure that an agreement accurately reflects your needs.

Child support agreements can’t be altered but may be terminated for various reasons.

  • A new agreement is put in place that provides for the previous agreement’s termination;

  • The parents sign a termination agreement;

  • A court order sets aside the written agreement;

  • The parent receiving the support payments ceases to be eligible.

  • Under a limited agreement, one or both parents can notify the Child Support Registrar of termination in writing. The agreement must have been in place for at least three years.

Receiving child support payments can affect a parent’s family tax benefit. Services Australia uses a Maintenance Income Test to determine the threshold over which support payments will begin reducing your benefit.

If you disagree with a child support assessment, you can file an objection with Services Australia to have the matter reviewed. You must file the objection within 28 days of receiving the decision letter stating the amount payable.

If you’re unsatisfied with Services Australia’s response, you may take the matter to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. You may request a second review if you’re still unsatisfied and even put the matter to the Family Court.

Child support generally covers the essential expenses related to their welfare and development. These typically include:

  • Food;

  • Clothing;

  • Education expenses;

  • Medical expenses.

Limited agreements made through Services Australia don’t usually account for certain things, such as private school fees or extracurricular activities like sports. Binding agreements have a broader scope to include whatever the parents can agree to cover.

Several situations can end a child support assessment. Often, child support is set to end when the child turns 18. Other terminating events include:

  • The child is no longer an Australian citizen or resident, and the supported parent doesn’t live in a reciprocating jurisdiction;

  • The custodial parent has less than 35% of caring responsibilities, or the paying parent takes on at least 35% of care;

  • The parents reconciled for at least six months;

  • Both parents cease to be an Australian resident;

  • Services Australia accepts an application to end the assessment;

  • A clause in a binding child support agreement ends the assessment.