Brisbane Family Lawyers

When it comes to finding a family lawyer, there are several ways you can start your search. One option is to ask for referrals from friends or family members who have gone through a similar legal process.

Another option is to consult the Law Society in your state, which can provide you with a list of accredited family lawyers. If you’re specifically looking for a lawyer who is familiar with the local legal nuances in your area, Andrews Family Lawyers is here to help.

There is no specific limit written into the law as to how far a parent can relocate. However, there are laws about moving with children that apply even with no court orders in place.

If you and the other parent share equal responsibility for your children, you must talk to each other and try to agree on major long-term decisions that will affect them.

If you want to move with children, you must make a genuine effort to try and sort out an arrangement you and the other parent agree with, and this may require family dispute resolution or permission from the court.

It is essential to have an experienced family lawyer represent you in this process to ensure you achieve a fair outcome. So, what are the benefits of having a family lawyer by your side?

An expedited resolution process – Engaging a professional child custody lawyer will ensure an efficient resolution. We have extensive experience in understanding the complexity of family law and expertise in fulfilling all the legal formalities required by the court.

Expertise and experience – You may be concerned that engaging a lawyer may hurt an amicable relationship and result in going to court. All child custody cases go through family dispute resolution, which helps reduce legal and court costs.

Objective and honest advice – A family lawyer can provide an impartial advocate, weighing the facts and helping you make decisions and understand your rights while minimising the emotional stress and heartache.

For more information on how our child custody lawyers can help you with your parenting dispute resolution and arrangements, book a complimentary consultation today.

Divorce is the official ending of a marriage. It’s a common misconception that divorce includes all aspects of separating when it is just the process of terminating the marital relationship of a couple. Below are the key steps to applying for a divorce in Australia:

Step 1 – Separation. The only legal requirement for getting a divorce is the ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of the Marriage—proven by the husband and wife being separated for 12 months with no likelihood of getting back together. When applying for a divorce, your partner doesn’t have to agree, and the law doesn’t decide who is at ‘fault’ for the marriage breakdown.

Step 2 – You will need proof of Marriage. This is usually done with a marriage certificate. If it is in a language other than English, it must be transcribed. However, if you don’t have a marriage certificate, then our divorce law experts can assist you in securing one.

Step 3 – You must apply to the Federal Circuit Court for a divorce. You can use them together in a ‘joint application’, or one person may apply with a ‘sole application. Our separation and divorce experts will ensure you file a quick and accurate application.

Step 4 – If making a sole application, you must ‘serve’ the other person with the application—this means giving the other person the divorce paperwork so they know about the court proceedings. You must complete certain forms proving the other person has been ‘served’. You can’t serve your former partner personally, but you can by mail. We can also arrange a third-party server to serve documents on your behalf.

Step 5 – Wait to hear if you will be required to attend court; this will depend on whether the application is joint or sole and whether you have children under 18.

At the end of most relationships, it will be necessary to formalise the rights and entitlements of each party to sever all financial relationships between you and safeguard future property. Contrary to popular belief, you are not automatically entitled to a 50/50 split of assets. We take you through the process to determine legally who is entitled to what, how to get what you are entitled to, and the likely legal costs involved to settle your matter quickly and correctly. Time limits apply to property settlements, so starting this process as soon as possible can avoid unnecessary stress.

The length of this process varies depending on the circumstances, and if possible, we try to keep the property settlement out of court. Litigation is expensive, time-consuming and can put unnecessary pressure on already strained relationships. We are experienced in moving this process along as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Yes, we offer legal advice on a wide range of family law issues. Whether you need guidance on divorce, child custody, property settlements, or any other family law matter, our team is here to help.

It isn’t easy to estimate how much it will cost to litigate a matter, as many variables can influence cost. Generally, if the relationship between parties is amicable, it is much easier and quicker to finalise a property and parenting settlement.

If numerous issues are disputed, this necessitates a more extended negotiation period. In these circumstances, entering the court system is often required to get a resolution.

Costs usually increase the more complex a matter is, as the solicitor needs more time to review materials to ensure they understand the relevant issues.

Other factors that can impact legal costs include the length of negotiation required, the volume and complexity of the asset and liability pool, whether the other party is self-represented or engages their legal representative, whether there are children involved and whether the parties arrive with a willingness to resolve the matter genuinely.

At Andrews Family Lawyers, we offer an initial phone consultation with a solicitor of up to 20 minutes at no cost to you. If you prefer an in-person meeting, you can attend our Grange office. Initial in-person consultations are charged at a reduced fixed rate of $330, including GST, for up to one hour.

If you choose to engage us formally, we will send you engagement documents that contain a complete fee estimate broken down by potential stages.