Often when we meet clients for the first time it becomes apparent there is a general misunderstanding about what the terms “separation” and “divorce” really mean. There is also common misconception in the initial stages following their separation about the implications of separation and divorce on finalising a property settlement. Here is an article to […]
READ MOREDo you get back what you brought into a short relationship?
What credit should be given to someone who has brought assets into a short relationship is a question we are often asked by people going through a separation after a relatively short relationship. One of the fundamental steps in determining a property settlement is to assess the contributions of both parties to the acquisition, conversation […]
READ MOREPhillips Family Law recognized in Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession in 2018
We are incredibly proud to announce that Phillips Family Law has again been ranked as a first tier Family Law firm by the Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal profession in the category of Leading Family and Divorce Law Firms in Brisbane for 2018. The firm has also been recognised as a having Leading Family […]
READ MOREWill your inheritance be included in the property settlement?
As family lawyers, a question we are commonly asked is how an inheritance will be treated in a property settlement. The approach depends on whether the inheritance has been received and if it has been received, the timing of it, relative to the separation. In the recent case of Calvin & McTier [2017] FamCAFC 125 […]
READ MORECourt refuses to exercise discretion to make orders for Wife to sign confidentiality agreement
A concern which is often raised with us by people we assist who operate businesses or people with significant wealth, is that their confidential business information or information about their financial circumstances may be disclosed during family law proceedings. An option available to address this concern is to ask the other party or any professionals […]
READ MOREResilience – what it is and how it can benefit the modern lawyer and their clients
Our Director, Fiona Caulley was invited by the Queensland Law Society to speak to her colleagues at the QLS Symposium held at the Brisbane Convention Centre on 18 March 2017. The conference was attended by 450 lawyers from various areas of practice and was themed “Framing the Future of Law”. Fiona spoke about resilience and […]
READ MOREDo “Pre-Nups” need to be fair?
While Australia has taken a large leap in marriage equality, recently legalising same-sex marriage, marriage being a union entered into for life is often given less attention. In what some may consider to be a reflection on society’s perception of the permanence of marriage, it is not uncommon for people to discuss “pre-nups” with their […]
READ MOREWanting to relocate with your children? Some Food for Thought.
When a parent wants to relocate to a place which is far enough away to impact on the time that the other parent spends with a child challenges often arise. It is often difficult because of the need to strike a balance between the freedom of one parent to move and the right of the […]
READ MORERelationship assets and the future tax payable – “Crystal Ball gazing”?
As family lawyers we often work with accountants and financial planners to find tax effective options for our client to structure their property settlements. We work closely with accountants to identify tax issues and quantify the tax which may be payable, so that liability or anticipated liability, may be taken into account as part of […]
READ MOREHow to look after yourself during separation and divorce.
As family lawyers we understand that the end of a relationship is an emotional and traumatic time for all concerned. Whilst the people we assist cope with the stages of grief in very different ways we see first-hand that mourning the loss of a relationship is one of the most difficult experiences people can go […]
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