Collaboration vs Mediation
Collaborative Law Sometimes mediation isn’t quite the right fit, but you still want to avoid expensive and stressful court proceedings. Collaborative Law is the perfect middle ground solution. A dispute resolution process which allows both parities and their lawyers to legally finalise their separation without the burden of going to court. Each party sign a contract agreeing not to go to court and not to use threats of court. There are no set dates which gives both parties the freedom and flexibility to settle their matters at a location of your choice and all negotiations are private and confidential rather than public. This process allows parties to make decisions and resolve all separation disputes including child support, parenting arrangements… read more
June 23, 2022
No fault divorce
No fault divorce has been a mainstay of divorce in Australia since 1975, when the the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) was introduced. While separating will never be easy, can you Imagine that you have been married for nearly 35 years – and that you are seeking a divorce because you believe your partner has: prioritised their work over their life at home; that their treatment of you had lacked love or affection; that they had often been moody and argumentative; and that they had disparaged her in front of others. Consequently, you feel unhappy, unappreciated, upset and embarrassed and had over years of ups and downs, you’ve decided you can’t continue in the marriage and want to leave. Now… read more
June 14, 2022
Rising costs create ‘perfect storm’ for women leaving relationships
Growing economic pressures have combined with existing patterns in women’s employment to create overwhelming financial barriers for women trying to leave abusive and dangerous relationships. The widely reported rental crisis and rising costs of living have compounded age-old gender inequality issues, according to Karinya House interim CEO Belinda Munn. “The tendency for women to be in more insecure employment or employed in lower-paid areas of occupation, plus the gender wage gap – all of those things contribute to their vulnerability,” she said. “The women we work with are experiencing the cumulative impact of it all, coupled with the lack of affordable housing in Canberra and the increasing cost of living. “It’s a perfect storm.” She said demand at Karinya House,… read more
June 2, 2022
Boutique firm of the year going from strength to strength
A little over 18-months ago three remarkable women came together to create a one-of-a-kind family law firm. In September 2020 Debra Parker and Catherine Coles (previously from Watts McCray Lawyers in Canberra) joined forces with Jacquelyn Curtis (previously at Phelps Reid and DDCS Lawyers) to form a new family law firm. They’ve created a warm, kind and compassionate law firm providing quality and excellent service. When you step into their stylish firm, you truly feel welcomed into a warm and calm, environment. They wanted their clients to feel as comfortable, as though they are meeting a friend for a cuppa in a loungeroom rather than stepping into a clinical, intimidating environment. Parker Coles Curtis aim to make their clients feel… read more
April 15, 2022
Looking for a new family lawyer?
Busy googling ‘family lawyers near me’? Have you been having doubts about your current representation? Not sure if you’re allowed to ‘shop around’ or worried about offending your current family law firm? When you’re going through one of the most difficult times in your life, you need someone by your side who will not only provide you with the best legal advice but also understanding, compassion and empathy throughout the process. What if you’re not happy with your current family lawyer? Maybe you’re unhappy about the progress of your matter, the communication is unreliable and you’re not sure what’s going on or you simply feel your family lawyer isn’t the right fit for you personally. You have the right… read more
April 12, 2022
Top children’s books to help kids cope with separation, change and anxiety
Today is International Children’s Book Day! We thought it would be timely to share some hand-picked helpful children’s books tried and tested by many of our clients (and ourselves!) for various ages and stages of children. Separation affects every aspect of life – from your finances, your family relationships and your children’s routines. In the life of a child, a family breakdown can be traumatic and unsettling time. When told of the news, children may feel sad, angry, anxious and confused. The age of your child can also affect how they comprehend and adapt to this new change in their world. Reading with your child is a practical way you can help ease their transition through separation and divorce. In… read more
April 2, 2022
Hiding superannuation no more…
Superannuation is likely to be your largest financial asset and is likely to be your largest asset second only to your property.1 On average, a household has $213,700 in superannuation funds and comprises 18% of all household assets.2 For almost twenty years, superannuation has been treated as property for family law purposes. This means that when a married or de-facto couple is separating, they can split superannuation by agreement or by court order. Even if there is no superannuation split, it is important that each party knows the size of the superannuation interest so that it can be accounted for in the property pool. Ordinarily, when parties separate, they have a duty of disclosure to provide to the other party… read more
March 31, 2022
Omicron and Parenting Plans for separated homes and blended families
After holding our breath for several days, the ACT Government has announced Canberra students will be returning to school as planned, but with additional testing and health measures to help to manage the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory. But are we now sighing in relief? Many of us still feel anxious about the adequacy of those measures to combat the spread of Omicron and the disruption of schooling with staff and student absences that are expected. With many younger children yet to receive vaccinations, the dramatic increase of cases in the ACT in recent weeks and more painful periods of isolation giving us flashbacks of previous lockdowns, it’s hardly surprising we feel fatigued and stressed by it all. Throw… read more
March 28, 2022
What do I do if I think my friend is at risk of domestic abuse?
Ever had that gut feeling that your friend is in an abusive relationship or is experiencing domestic or family violence? Are you torn about what, if anything, you should do about it? Family or domestic violence is an issue that can affect anybody. It does not discriminate. Family violence includes financial control, physical abuse, sexual violence or abuse, threatening behaviour and coercive control. Victims of domestic or family violence often hide what is happening to them from other loved ones. Feelings of shame, humiliation, fear and worthlessness they are experiencing, and the patterns of family violence itself can work against victims disclosing what is happening to them or even recognising it. A victim may not be comfortable opening up. They… read more
March 24, 2022
Top 5 books to get you through your divorce
Whether you’re recently separated, thinking about it or in the middle of a divorce, we’ve collated our top recommended reads to bring peace, comfort and practical tools to navigate this challenging transition for your family. Unsure how to face difficult conversations with the kids about two homes? Grappling with whether to end your relationship? Feeling overwhelmed and like everything is just so uncertain now you’re separated? Our hand-selected reads may be just what you need to find clarity and practical strategies to move forward to a new beginning. When it comes to the “hard seasons” of life—the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job—transformation seems impossible when grief and uncertainty dominate your days. Didn’t See that Coming… read more
January 24, 2022