Home: Authors: alan weiss

Divorce is the legal term used to describe the formal ending of a marriage. Once a divorce has been granted by a court, the parties are legally allowed to remarry.

Pre-Nuptial Agreements are binding financial agreements concerning how real and personal property is to be dealt with in the event that the marriage breaks down.

Marriage celebrant Martin Moroney, spokesperson for Australian Marriage Celebrants reports that celebrants are getting booked out early for the 10th of October, 2010.

You may have heard by now of the remarkable case of Andrew Thompson, a young boy recently located in Europe after being abducted by his mother two and a half years ago. Andrew's parents were involved in hostile Family Court litgation in Australia when Andrew was a toddler.

It is often difficult to maintain the quality of close relationships with family who live far away. What happens when Mum and Dad separate and one parent relocates? What about the children?

Relationships Australia Vice President, Anne Hollonds, commented in the Manly Daily recently that employers are tough on fathers who need to care for children. The comment was made in the context of the conflict facing working fathers in modern society. Although today there is more support for hands-on parenting by fathers, the pressure to provide financially makes it practically difficult for fathers to actively engage in their children's life during business hours.

Most cases do not go to Court and indeed some cases which go to Court should not. We always discuss with our clients which method of dispute resolution is best for them.

As a matter of law there is no distinction drawn between the sex of the offender or victim in any of the legislation or case law. All of the remedies available in the criminal, civil and family courts apply equally to both sexes

I may sound cynical, but I have often seen allegations of domestic violence made in the Family Court for tactical advantage, or even worse for the sake of mudslinging. I do not for a moment want to diminish the suffering of true victims of domestic violence including any children who may witness that behaviour.

The laws governing de facto relationships, including those of same sex couples, changed on 1 March 2009 to allow couples to divide their property in accordance with the same laws that apply to married couples under the Family Law Act 1975.