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The Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal Profession is compiled following online peer review based surveys as well as telephone and face to ...
There is no doubt that much, if not all of your important private, confidential and sensitive data, including financial data is stored ...
If you have been in either a de facto relationship or a marriage that has ended, unless you have a Prenup or Binding Financial Agreement in ...
We are very pleased to announce that our two Senior Associates, Olivia Phillips and Belinda Jeffrey have recently been promoted to the ...
We work mostly with people whose relationship is coming to an end, or has already ended. However in family law, there is a distinction ...
With cost of living increasing and interest rate rises, it is not uncommon for people considering separation to hold off on drawing a line ...
When people separate from their de facto partner or spouse, decisions they make about their next steps are rarely made lightly. However, as ...
As family lawyers, we are often asked whether any gift or inheritance received can be claimed by a former partner or spouse. We will unpack ...
Sometimes couples or individuals come to us because they want to understand what might occur if they were to separate. Other times, they ...
There are a number of misconceptions about what a de facto relationship is. This is often because of what people hear from family, friends ...
If you are reading this, you may have been through the divorce or property settlement process yourself. Or instead, you may be looking at ...
The 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia™ were recently released. The Phillips Family Law team made their debut in the Family ...
This page explores what to know about the impacts where there is a separation or divorce and business partners are also in the mix. This ...
When separating, whether you are married or in a de facto relationship, often some of the first concerns relate to children and how they ...
When a de facto or married couple separate and begin the process of identifying their assets in preparation for a property settlement, if ...
If you are a business owner in Australia and you are either thinking about separating from your partner or spouse, or you have already ...
Your Finances & Property Settlement After Separation If you are reading this, you are likely considering separation or you are already ...
Knowing whether your relationship is legally considered a de facto relationship is important for a number of reasons. The question “What...
If you were married overseas and you are investigating what is involved in applying for a divorce in Australia, you are in the right place. ...
When a couple separate and have disagreements relating to their children, such as medical or educational decisions, or day to day issues ...
Whether it be early or later in a separation, disputes commonly arise relating to the negotiation of time with children and how to divide ...
The first step in learning how to financially separate from a spouse or partner, is to be alive to the issues that can go wrong. When you ...
We are very proud to announce that Phillips Family Law has once again been ranked as a First-Tier law firm by the Doyle's Guide to the ...
Has your child expressed a desire to change their name? Or, do you wish for their surname to be the same as yours? For separated parents who...
When a separating couple has assets in Australia and overseas, there are unique considerations to be aware of. International property ...
As family lawyers, we realise that the navigation of parenting post-separation is not always easy. It can be even more difficult if, for ...
These days, much of our important information is stored in our personal computers, on the internet and across other electronic devices. ...
Asking the question ‘how are divorce settlements worked out?’ is one that most people see as a question relating specifically to the ...
Going through a separation is stressful and for many can be a time filled with fear and uncertainty. This is especially the case when there ...
Divorcing a narcissist or separating from a partner who has a personality disorder or displays narcissistic traits, can bring an added level...
If you are an accountant, financial planner or a wills and estate lawyer, we wish to draw your attention to a family law issue that can ...
Family law mediation is the process where a mediator, usually an experienced family lawyer, barrister or former Judge, assists people in ...
As lawyers, accountants and financial planners, you are often the first to know of a client’s intention to separate from their partner or ...
People sometimes come to us for pre-separation advice. That is before they have made a decision to end a relationship or marriage. Sometimes...
Full and frank financial disclosure from both parties is essential when a separated couple is going through a property settlement and ...
Toxic communication can be a concern when going through a separation and divorce. No matter what has occurred previously in a relationship, ...
In the past, I’ve written specifically about separation and divorce when both parties are involved in the business. If that is what you ...
Relocating with a child after separation is not uncommon however, parents should be cautious when considering a move as there are laws that ...
As a financial adviser, accountant or lawyer outside of family law, you are likely to be familiar with Binding Financial Agreements (BFA). ...
As family lawyers, we see first-hand the toll that the separation and divorce process can take on clients. However, it doesn’t have to be ...
As an accountant or financial advisor, you are often tasked with helping your clients structure or grow their wealth. In addition to this, a...
Are Prenups effective? If you are over 50 and either in a new relationship or embarking on a new one, you may be looking into whether a ...
Timelines For A Property Settlement Unlike filing for divorce, which requires a couple to wait 12 months, negotiations and agreements ...
The impact that separation and divorce has on an individual has been recognised by social scientists as being one of the most significant ...
We are seeing a steady rise in enquiries from separated parents who differ in their views about Covid-19 vaccinations for their children. In...
Congratulations to Belinda Jeffrey We wish to congratulate Senior Associate Belinda Jeffrey who was recently successful in attaining ...
As an accountant, you are often one of the first professionals to become aware of the impending separation or divorce of your clients. As ...
What makes a good family lawyer for one person, might not necessarily make them a good fit for someone else. When you are going through a ...
Childrens Rights To See Their Father (Or Mother) In 2006 changes were made to legislation relating to parenting agreements, and the idea of ...
Following feedback from a long inquiry and various commissions into the Family Law system, on the first of September this year, new changes ...
Parental alienation following separation is a little discussed topic, possibly because it is controversial and can be difficult to prove. ...
We are pleased to welcome Belinda Jeffrey, Senior Associate and Elise Clowes, Associate to the Phillips Family Law team. Belinda has ...
Every year we, as family lawyers, anticipate that the lead up to the festive season holiday period is going to be incredibly busy with ...
Divorce is never easy for anyone, but it can have a considerable impact on your children if you are not conscious of a few key elements. ...
If you are reading this, you are likely to have some clients who are going through separation or divorce. As professionals who assist our ...
When it comes to financial agreements and divorce, there are a variety of processes in our tool kit that we can implement as family lawyers....
Property settlements can be complex and when you add “gifts” and “inheritances” into the mix, it can make things even more ...
When talking to people outside of the legal profession, I have noticed that there are many different perceptions about the role of a lawyer ...
When you are going through a separation or divorce, how financial assets will be split is a common query faced by our clients. In this ...
Just like every business, all law firms work differently. This is because we all have different values and skills that we put ahead of ...
Infidelity is one of the key causes of divorce in Australia. When going through the separation and divorce process there can be confusion ...
Throughout the course of a property settlement, clients have a continuing obligation to provide the other party, in a timely manner, with ...
Advantages and disadvantages of binding child support agreements When a couple is separating and they have children, there will normally be ...
As an accountant, you are often one of the first professionals to have the knowledge that a couple is considering separation or have already...
Property settlements and trust structures Trust structures are regularly used for asset protection purposes as well as tax planning. Spouses...
For your clients who are going through divorce, it can be a complex and stressful process. Often the process can be delayed when there is ...
When a couple decides to separate or even before then when they are encountering difficulties in the relationship, or trust has been eroded,...
As an accountant or financial advisor, if you have clients who are going through a divorce, considering how to deal with a settlement, and ...
If you, or someone you know, has been in a de facto relationship that has subsequently broken down it is important to know what this may ...
How a Farmer’s Divorce has changed in the Courts Starting out as a lawyer in the early 80’s in Toowoomba, I was exposed to cases ...
If you are reading this, you are likely considering separation, or you are already separated, and you have some degree of concern about what...
Due to the emotional toll that separation and divorce brings, Christmas and other holidays can be a very challenging time. The feeling of ...
As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic has not just hit us with a virus but with an overwhelming amount of indefinite uncertainty too. It is safe...
When you file for divorce, there is a fair chance that you just want to get over with it as quickly as you can and get on with your life. ...
Often there is a misconception by financial advisors and accountants that in a divorce, a Trust is going to be treated differently, or ...
In this day and age, even since the advent of COVID-19, it is much easier for people to reside outside of their country of origin. However, ...
There is no doubt that going through a separation or divorce can be an incredibly stressful experience. It is particularly hard for those ...
When a couple chooses to divorce it can be an emotional and complicated time. Add in business ownership and it can make the separation ...
What is a family report? When you are separating from your partner, and if you have children together, you may hear about something called a...
Identifying the asset pool As an accountant, you may find yourself in a situation where one party to a divorce is your client and they run a...
We are pleased to announce the recent promotion of Charlotte Paterson and Gareth Walters to Associates of the firm. ...
For parents who are unable to see their children, or do not have as much access to their children as they would like, and yet pay child ...
As a family lawyer, I see accountants, financial planners and commercial lawyers as playing key support roles when negotiating an outcome ...
How to communicate when going through a divorce Ineffective communication can be a significant factor in a couple separating. So it is not ...
We regularly write articles to help our clients and professional network so they can better understand concepts and issues surrounding the ...
Mediation is the process where a mediator, usually an experienced family lawyer, barrister or former Judge, assists people in dispute to ...
You should know that it is completely normal to feel anxious about your first discussion or meeting and to have some fear about the unknown....
Here at Phillips Family law, the health and well-being of our clients, our team and the community is extremely important to us so we are ...
As an accountant, financial planner or lawyer, you are often the first point of contact for someone when they are separating. Being family ...
Separating from your partner, particularly if children and property are involved can be an emotional experience. As a family lawyer, there ...
The Christmas break and school holidays can be emotionally and mentally exhausting for any parent, but when you are considering separating ...
As a real estate agent, you are often faced with selling a family home following the separation of a couple. Each sale is unique because it ...
When people facing separation elect to do their financial settlement without a lawyer, they are commonly motivated to save money and avoid ...
Christmas after divorce can be a challenging and emotional time. It can be an equally challenging and emotional time if you are having ...
You may hear stories from friends and family about what happened during their divorce. Perhaps you’ve seen separation or divorce play out ...
As an accountant or financial planner, you can find yourself as the first person a client speaks to when separating from their spouse. Due ...
In my time as a family lawyer, there are a few misconceptions that come up time and time again concerning separation and divorce. While it ...
From the perspective of dealing with other professionals – lawyers, accountants and financial planners – the most significant learning ...
Contrary to popular belief, the action of ‘keeping the lawyers out of it’ is often the catalyst for a troublesome property settlement. ...
When someone is experiencing separation or divorce, regardless of whether they are the instigator, on the receiving end or both have agreed ...
When a marriage or de facto relationship ends and a property settlement is required, the need to understand what financial disclosure means ...
For accountants and financial advisors whose clients who are business owners and are separated but yet to finalise their property ...
“Am I in a de facto relationship?” People typically ask this question and seek our advice at one of two points – before they start...
We work closely with our clients and their financial advisors when a relationship is coming to an end and there are dependent children ...
At times there is a misconception that lawyers say or do particular things to ‘rack up more fees’. In the practice I work in, I can ...
As accountants or financial planners who are trusted advisors to your clients, there are some ways you can further help your clients and ...
In my work with clients, one of the areas that people can find difficult to get their head around is the concept of being given a range of ...
I recently attended the Family Law Intensive Series in Sydney and one recent case highlighted was Hurst & Hurst. What makes this case ...
When couples who have accumulated assets in countries other than Australia decide to separate, it is important to understand that a Court in...
I recently spoke to a room of accountants at the Legalwise 4th Annual Trusts Essentials Conference in Brisbane about how the Family Court ...
If like me, you came across the Netflix television series Grace & Frankie over the holiday period, chances are you’ll know the point ...
At the start of this year the world’s wealthiest couple announced they are divorcing. Jeff Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon and his ...
The holiday season has come and gone, the school year has started. In my experience, this is a time where many people are considering ...
I recently presented at the Law Australasia conference on the topic of Binding Financial Agreements (BFA’s) as an estate planning tool ...
We are incredibly proud to announce that Phillips Family Law has once again been ranked as a first tier Family Law firm by the Doyle’s ...
We’ve all heard horror stories about how difficult or emotionally-charged situations can become during separation or divorce. If you are ...
Earlier this week I was fortunate to present to accountants at a Legalwise seminar on Managing Relationship Breakdown and share what every ...
Our duty as family lawyers is to take the heat out of matters, to hose them down, rather than adding fuel to the fire. If we take up our ...
Regardless of whether it’s you that is looking to relocate with your children or your former partner, you need to be aware of some ...
The case of Harris & Dewell and Anor (2018) is interesting for us as family lawyers and those of you who work in financial services or ...
Patricia and Martin had their retirement unfolding just as they had planned it. They had a unit in the city which was ideal for when they ...
Many people assume that they need to wait 12 months to begin addressing financial settlement following their separation. What you may not ...
An amicable separation is one goal that many separating couples aim to have. While this intention is admirable, remaining amicable is not ...
Often when we meet clients for the first time it becomes apparent there is a general misunderstanding about what the terms “separation” ...
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 ...
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...
As family lawyers, a question we are commonly asked is how an inheritance will be treated in a property settlement. The approach depends on ...
A concern which is often raised with us by people we assist who operate businesses or people with significant wealth, is that their ...
Our Director, Fiona Caulley was invited by the Queensland Law Society to speak to her colleagues at the QLS Symposium held at the Brisbane ...
While Australia has taken a large leap in marriage equality, recently legalising same-sex marriage, marriage being a union entered into for ...
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 ...
As family lawyers we often work with accountants and financial planners to find tax effective options for our client to structure their ...
As family lawyers we understand that the end of a relationship is an emotional and traumatic time for all concerned. Whilst the people we ...
As family lawyers it is not uncommon that we are asked about how disputes about the family pets can be resolved. This is often an emotive ...