Do you have a Binding Child Support Agreement? If so, do you ever review it? Do you remember what it says? The answer is probably no…
ROBINSON + McGUINNESS FAMILY LAW – ‘FIRST TIER’ IN DOYLE’S GUIDE FOR 2021
The Doyle’s Guide celebrates leading law firms and lawyers who have been acknowledged by peers and by the legal profession for their expertise within their field.
We are proud to announce that Robinson + McGuinness has once again been recognised as one of Canberra’s First Tier Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms.
Members of the Robinson + McGuinness team have also been recognised for their excellence in the family law field. Our directors, Kevin Robinson and Sally McGuinness, have been recognised as Preeminent Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers. Kevin has also been recognised as a Preeminent Leading Parenting, Custody and Children’s Matter Lawyer for the fifth year in a row. Our Senior Associate, Anna-Kate Visser, was recognised as a Recommended Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer and a Recommended Leading Parenting, Custody and Children’s Matter Lawyer. Our Associate, Ellen Russell and our Lawyer, Peta Sutton, were both listed as Family Law Rising Stars.
We are extremely grateful for the recognition and we congratulate our team on their achievements!
You can find the full listing here.
What is a meaningful relationship?
Parenting Plan or Parenting Orders: Which one suits my family better?
R+M ranked 'first tier' in 2020 Doyle's Guide
Parenting Arrangements: Mental Health and Unacceptable Risk
I want a Divorce! Twelve things you need to know
Who gets to stay in the house after we separate?
COVID-19, the Courts and you
Managing parenting in a pandemic
The Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia, has put together ten tips for Managing Parenting in a Pandemic. You can view the article here.
ACT Child Protection Laws
Costs Orders in Family Law Proceedings
Your ex-partner has threatened to take you to Court and tells you that if they do, you will have to pay their legal costs. Is this true? This tends to be a common ‘threat’ made by people following a relationship breakdown. The likelihood of this happening, however, may not be as realistic as your former partner would like you to believe.
The importance of updating your will post separation
Estate Planning is one of those things that we know we should do, however it is often one of the things that we never get around to. Or if we do, we put it in the drawer and don’t think about it again.
But this is not the case. Your Will is something that you should review every two to three years to ensure that it still reflects your wishes. You should also review your Will if there has been a change in your personal circumstances or financial situation.
Are your contributions to a de facto relationship worth less because you are not married? The Full Court says “No”
In 2018, a Trial Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made Orders for a property settlement, in favour of the de facto husband. The outcome provided for the de facto husband to receive a significant adjustment of 75% of the pool of assets, and the de facto wife the remaining 25%.
In Whiton & Dagne [2019] FamCAFC 192, the Full Court of the Family Court overturned the decision of the Trial Judge, referring to his decision as a “‘leap from words to figures” insufficiently heralded by any reasoning”.
Family Violence in Family Law Cases
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that in 2017-18, the proportion of family law cases in which allegations of child abuse, family violence or risk of family violence was alleged rose to 30%.
There is a continuing growing awareness of family violence in the community, and recognition by the Courts of the impact that family violence can have on both parents and children following separation.
Two more feathers in our cap: Margot McCabe and Annie Visser are now Accredited Specialists in Family Law
Financial disclosure in property settlements – produce, or go to prison?
Both you and your ex-partner have an obligation to provide financial documents to each other and disclosure should be a relatively straightforward process. However, it can get tricky if one person does not want to provide certain information because they do not have it, believe the other person is not entitled to it, or are simply trying to hide something
Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution
If you or your former partner have a grant of Legal Aid, or there is an Independent Children’s Lawyer involved in your matter, you may be eligible to participate in a mediation funded by Legal Aid.
Family Dispute Resolution is often an efficient and productive way to reach an outcome in your matter without the stress and expense of going to Court.
Robinson + McGuinness recognised again as leaders in their field in the ACT Doyles Guide 2019
Parental responsibility and schooling
Separated parents will usually share in making long-term decisions for the benefit of their children. One long-term decision relates to where a child will attend school. If parents cannot agree about their child’s schooling or one parent wants to change a child’s school without the other’s consent, parents may seek a resolution through the Family Courts.