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The Ripple Effect: Healthy men, masculinity and building healthy communities on International Men’s Day and beyond

On International Men’s Day, we celebrate the journey of men, their mental health, and their vital role within all family types. As a family law firm, we know men face unique challenges, particularly those navigating the complexities of divorce and separation. We know it’s important to shed light on an exceptional initiative that offers men tremendous support going through tough times, The Men’s Table. This transformative group, founded in 2011, has been creating ripples of positive change in the lives of men and the broader community. In this blog post, we delve into the findings of The Ripple Effect study, highlighting the profound impact of The Men’s Table on individuals and society at large, and emphasising its role in promoting… read more

16 Nov 2023

Self-care during separation and divorce

From relief and a new-found sense of freedom to utter devastation and confusion, the end of a relationship provokes a vast range of emotions.   Wherever you fall on that spectrum, grief and loss are universal experiences at the end of a relationship.    Social scientists tell us that the impact of divorce can affect our IQ and that it is the second most stressful life event a person can experience, second only to death of a spouse.  It’s no wonder then that you may be feeling anger, confusion, guilt, shame, helplessness, resentment and loneliness – even if you’re the one that decided to end the relationship. The emotional turmoil going on internally for you right now might also bring on other difficulties including… read more

7 Nov 2023

Navigating the Digital Dating World Safely: Protecting Yourself and your Rights

In today’s digital age, where swipes and clicks often pave the path to love, online dating apps have become a prominent platform for those looking for love (or fun) to connect with potential partners. But for every ‘happily ever after’, there are an equal number of negative experiences occurring between app users – some involving criminal acts like sexual harassment, abuse and assault.   The Australian Institute of Criminology’s research revealed that three in four people using online dating apps experienced some form of sexual violence, including harassment, abusive language, image-based abuse, and stalking.  The Australian government recently issued an ultimatum to the operators of dating apps, urging them to take decisive action to address sexual assault on their platforms. The… read more

19 Sep 2023

NSW Police Launce “Empower You” as the prevalence of reported Family Violence rises across Australia

According to statistics, the number of reported cases of family violence in Australia has been steadily rising over the past decade, raising concerns within the community. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported an estimated 8 million Australians (41%) have experienced violence (physical and/or sexual) since the age of 15 .  Factors contributing to this rise include societal changes, economic pressures, mental health issues, and other complex dynamics within families. The growing societal awareness and willingness of victims to come forward indicates a cultural shift to recognise and report family violence in Australia.    Enter App Empower You: A free smart-phone app empowering victims to gain legal protection. Recently launched by the New South Wales (NSW) Police, Empower You provides legal… read more

19 Sep 2023

Who keeps the dog?

“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.”- Louis Sabin We’ve all heard the age-old phrase that a dog is a man’s best friend. But during the most recent lock-down pets have become so much more that a friend – more often than not, our pets can be our furry family! There are so many psychological benefits to having pets around on our mental health. The American Psychology association has found that pets have a positive effect on both the physical and mental health of their owners, providing social support and improving wellbeing.[1] Indeed, studies in the UK have found that pet ownership can lessen some of the negative impacts of… read more

8 Aug 2023

Social media and coparenting

In the age of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and the latest social media stomping-ground ‘Threads’  it’s become second nature to post openly about our lives, families and loved ones.  Navigating social media becomes far more perilous in an acrimonious separation or divorce. Just look at the ill-fated Twitter posts of Kanye West during his much-publicised marriage breakdown with Kim Kardashian to see the havoc that oversharing on social media can have in your legal matters.  Increasingly social media posts are being used in Court to prove – and sometimes disprove – claims people make in legal proceedings. When going online it is important to remember that your posts, and even other posts that you ‘like’ or comment on, may be publicly… read more

19 Jul 2023

Navigating property settlement

Your ex has a new partner – how does this affect your property settlement? Sometimes, working things out after a separation or break-up isn’t a walk in the park. For de facto couples, you have a window of 24 months from the date of separation to sort things out. For married couples, the timeframe is 12 months from the date of divorce. However, since married couples are required to wait for 12 months after separation before becoming eligible for divorce (and even then, some people don’t formalise their divorce), they often have a bit more time to tackle these issues. Whilst some people wait before they finalise their property relationship, life goes on. Perhaps you’ve fallen hard for your new… read more

14 Jul 2023

Uneasy viewing, but ‘Safe Home’ is a must-watch

Trending SBS series ‘Safe Home’ is a dramatic portrayal of the often visceral and heart-wrenching experiences of victims of family and domestic violence. The 4-part series is a confronting watch and requires a trigger warning. Creator Anna Barnes says it is not based on a true story but that “Family violence is so tragically common in Australia, but it’s still something that isn’t discussed openly.” While it is undeniably widespread through our community, the intent to raise social understanding about the issue is clear As a family lawyer also working in the sector, it was not just the subject material that resonated with me, but the lived experiences portrayed through the characters rang true with the work I do with… read more

4 Jul 2023

Inspiring hope this Mothers’ Day

  Roundabout Canberra CEO Hannah Andrevski and Karinya House CEO Lavinia Tyrrel. Photo: Liv Cameron. Every woman should be surrounded by the support she needs to thrive during and after pregnancy. For women dealing with the stresses of financial strain, family violence or housing insecurity, a warm and dependable network is even more important. On 5 May, three remarkable, female-led businesses will come together to support Canberran women at the Hope Starts Here Mothers’ Day Charity Luncheon – Karinya House, Roundabout Canberra and Parker Coles Curtis. READ ALSO Hole in one for Menslink at annual Charity Golf Day Karinya House is a charity that seeks to provide a safe and caring environment for women from all walks of life. “Every woman… read more

13 Jun 2023

Blending families after divorce

Census data collected in 2016 and again in 2021 confirmed that the typical family image of ‘mum, dad and two kids’ is no longer the predominant family type. The face of families has changed in Australia, with families increasingly comprised of a couple without children, single parent families and families including non-biological children and parents, step siblings, half siblings, foster carers, and other non-traditional carers such aunts, uncles and grandparents. In our series of articles, we identify some important things to consider if you are entering a relationship after a break-up or blending families after a divorce. Blended families – defined as “a family consisting of a couple, the children they have together, and children from previous relationships or adopted… read more

17 May 2023

What our clients say

Debra’s calm and caring demeanour gave me encouragement at a time when I needed it most. I am very grateful to you for seeing me and for your help in putting me on the path towards change, whatever that turns out to be.

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Debra is like a friend who tells you how it is and not what you want to hear. That's a good friend to have. She will tell you the truth and manage your expectations.

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Thank you Catherine so much for your prompt communication and always being on top of an ongoing matter that you came into pretty late in the process. Thank you for your sympathetic, but firm and consistent guidance as to the likely outcome and your recommendations as to how the interests be best served in terms of settling this matter rather than allowing it to proceed to trial. I really appreciate all you have done. You’re an all-round professional.

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I can't recommend Parker Coles Curtis highly enough. The team masterfully managed the simultaneous settlements of the properties we sold and bought. Organising the simultaneous settlement proved to be a bit of a nightmare for PCC given all the parties involved but they ensured everything was completed successfully on time. Most of our dealings were with the ever-attentive Lela, whose easy-going yet professional manner made her a pleasure to work with and took the stress out of the situation for us. Thanks very much PCC!

Jacqui is an efficient, smart, meticulous family lawyer with empathy and strategy. She understood my story as well as I did. I could tell her everything and anything and she was very good at communicating what was needed to achieve fair and positive outcomes amid a traumatic dispute.

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I’d like to thank you for all your help and amazing service you provided to me, could not find a (sic) better lawyer even if I wanted to. Thanks for everything.

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Jacqui has consistently been an exceptional source of advice and focus throughout a very difficult time for my family. Her approach, demeanour and dedication has remained well considered, balanced and professional. Jacqui is well researched, prepared and calming. Jacqui has listened to my concerns and taken the time to truly understand and concentrate on the priorities. Above all, Jacqui is kind, compassionate, respectful and committed. I truly trust her professional judgement and advice. I would wholeheartedly recommend Jacqui for professional representation.

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Catherine is fearless and will stand her ground with the experience and the attention to detail to back herself.

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Catherine Coles is not just a highly intelligent and bright solicitor but also an amazing individual who took my worries and fears seriously. With determination, great organisation and efficiency, she got the very best outcome for my situation.

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Highly recommend Jacquelyn Curtis! She was amazing in my family law matter going above and beyond outside ‘normal’ work hours doing all she could in a time that was extremely stressful she gave me peace of mind.

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Thank you so much for this. I am glad I have your expertise. I trust your judgement in your crafting of the outline of argument.

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Thank you for your guidance, support, empathy and understanding. We know that what ever outcome is achieved, you are always firmly in our corner, and for that we can never thank you enough.

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Debra you are a lovely person and I thank you so much for your help, support and understanding over those roller coaster years.

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Debra is a great listener, empathetic and friendly. Very supportive, accessible and encouraging through the most challenging stages of the matter. Her legal acumen and strategic direction, supported by an exceptional team come to the fore when the whips are cracking. The team continues to communicate and work hard to full resolution of all aspects of your matter. Very thorough, always follow through and highly professional - far in excess of other experiences I and others have had with other firms. I thank them and thoroughly recommend Parker Coles Curtis.

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The Loungeroom Lawyer concept was so convenient for me - a time-poor, working single Mum. I loved the fact that I could meet with a lawyer in the comfort of my own home (in a tracksuit) and get the information and support I needed. Jacquelyn then represented me in a family court case and helped me navigate the complexities of FVO's. I felt supported, safe and extremely well represented. I highly recommend Jacquelyn at Parker Coles Curtis, I will forever be grateful for her support.

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Thankyou Debra and Team for your hard work, professionalism and advice which has delivered excellent outcomes in representing me in difficult times. Your knowledge and experience in addition to your pragmatic and strategic approach is very comforting.

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Thank you Catherine – I have really appreciated your advice on this. It was completely overwhelming until we spoke.

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Debra Parker was fantastic at supporting me through a very challenging separation and settlement. Debra was very understanding of my financial limitations and enacted a plan that allowed me to access excellent legal representation within my means.

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Every day I wake up with a feeling of the deepest gratitude that I had Catherine Coles as my solicitor.

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Debra’s work ethic and commitment is amazing!

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Thank you again Debra. You have infinite patience as you are kind and considerate with me and it is a miracle that you are assisting me so competently.

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Thank you Debra for supporting me, knowing how much to push me, knowing how much to encourage me – and knowing when I’d had enough. You’re fabulous.

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Jacquelyn shared sound advice that helped me navigate a family violence situation and supported me in a seemingly impossible relocation case. It was the opposite advice to others I had contacted. Those first steps were imperative to my successful outcome. I now have a very bright future for my children and I, but it could have been very different in someone else’s hands.

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I have been a client of Debra Parker for well over a year and have nothing but the highest praise for her and her supporting staff. She has always gone out of her way to provide me sound advice and has helped me greatly through a difficult and anxious time. Your professionalism and expertise second to none and I’m very satisfied who is the outcome that she has achieved I highly recommend Debra Parker for all family law matters.

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Monica Serci is a fantastic lawyer. Very knowledgeable and efficient, but also compassionate and understanding of the stress people are under in family law situations. She made the process much easier due to her expertise and kindness. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her services to others.

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I was shocked to discover that Jacqui was a single mother, especially at a time when I was coming to terms with being one and thought it was a terrible thing. Understanding that single mothers could also have good co-parenting outcomes and be absolutely winning at life really helped me re-set my assumptions of what my life might be like after divorce. Jacqui not only helped me win my freedom, she helped me see that I was strong enough to go it alone. Choosing her was the best move I could have made.

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Catherine is very professional and efficient. I am grateful to have received her recommendation as her dedication and knowledge enabled me to get a fair result. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

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Jacqui has unequivocally supported a low-conflict approach which has been absolutely necessary in establishing cooperative, respectful and child focussed arrangements. My family, and more importantly my child, has benefited from Jacqui’s engagement.

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Jacqui has such a friendly demeanour and understood my concerns. She listened and gave me advice tailored to my circumstances. I have a high-conflict ex and Jacqui’s advice helped me achieve a positive outcome that is in everyone’s best interests. I have young children and Jacqui was so flexible with her appointment time and understanding the realities of being a working single parent.

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Catherine Coles is an amazing Lawyer and person. She made what I thought impossible- Possible.

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Thanks to Debra, Monica and Lela for their support and fantastic work during this extremely stressful time. The team were very professional while being really down to earth, pleasant and efficient.

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Thank you once again Debra, so very much. I’ve been through the worst of times but your support and advice, as well as your genuine kindness, has been so valuable to me.

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I thank the whole team for significantly improving all our lives and I am super glad we came here. Because of this team we are able to call today the first day of the rest of our lives. This all comes with the best possible outcome.

Catherine is exceptionally well organised. She made me feel at ease when things were touch and go and reeled in win after win in my case. She was ever at the ready to make the wrongs right again. Catherine is brilliant at digging into the grey areas and the less-obvious areas of legislation and using them superbly to gain solid wins.

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You are an incredible intellect and woman of strength pulling up other strong women and men. Thank you Debra for all your hard work. I’m gobsmacked!

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A very good experience dealing the Debra and the team. Friendly, efficient and very professional.

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I need to find the means by which to thank you Debra. So over a week ago I was reeling mentally and physically and wondering how to deal with all that I had on my plate. Had no idea where to turn to except that in a moment of luck (divine luck no doubt) I came across your name . And that led me to where I am today, in contact with, and being advised by wonderful lawyers. I am deeply indebted to you.

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