Recent Client Reviews
Debra Parker is an exceptional family lawyer. I cannot praise her highly enough! Debra is extremely professional, empathic, no-nonsense, fast, and meticulous in her attention to legal detail. She made me feel protected, calm and in the absolute safest hands. I cannot recommend her and her team highly enough!! Thank you! From day one, Jacqui Curtis expertly guided me through the various intricacies of my matter. Following the recent shock of a very acrimonious separation from my wife, I sought legal counsel from Parker Coles Curtis after a referral from a work colleague. Jacqui showed great empathy and gave me the advice I needed to hear and correctly advised the course of action I needed to take. Her calm… read more
April 7, 2021
The Best Family Lawyers in Canberra
Parker Coles Curtis is ranked in the top 10 Family Law firms in Canberra Parker Coles Curtis is a boutique Canberra based family law firm run by specialist family lawyers. Our expertise is in assisting people considering, experiencing or planning for Separation and/or Divorce. This includes Parenting and Custody, Property and Financial agreements (pre-nups), Adoption, Wills, Estates and Conveyancing. Our team understands family law is stressful and emotional. Our award-winning solicitors are dedicated to making your life easier and better by helping you understand the process. We pride ourselves on our emotional intelligence and warmth, which has comforted thousands of clients in their journey to a new beginning and brighter future. At our mostly female firm, we are compassionate and… read more
April 7, 2021
Parker Coles Curtis wins National Champions of Pride Award
Parker Coles Curtis, Winner, Boutique Firm, Lawyers Weekly Champions of Pride The winners of the inaugural Lawyers Weekly Champions of Pride initiative have been crowned at a luncheon today in Sydney. The award pays tribute to legal businesses advocating and committing to diversity and inclusion initiatives pertaining to the experience of Australian legal professional. It was judged by a distinguished panel of practitioners and academics from around the country. Former justice of the High Court of Australia, The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG, delivered the keynote address at a luncheon hosted at Dockside in the Sydney CBD. Parker Coles Curtis was judged the winner over a strong field of finalists including Nevett Ford from Melbourne, Kalpaxis Legal from Parramatta, and… read more
March 11, 2021
How the COVID lockdown highlighted the need for a ‘family violence toolkit’
Nearly 10% of Australian women in domestic relationships suffered family violence during the pandemic last year As revealed by a survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology This is a sobering statistic, especially in the afterglow of International Women’s Day. The lockdowns in Australia made the situation of many victims of family violence worse—victims who were trapped in their homes with their abuser. During lockdown, crisis calls to domestic violence hotlines spiked across the country. Many victims, however, were unable to ask for help because they were under constant surveillance and could not access support outside the home. The prevalence of family violence in our society, and its escalation during the health pandemic, highlights that we all need… read more
March 9, 2021
I need to go to Court. What do I do?
This guide explains the steps to start a child custody Court case for parenting orders. After separation or divorce, you’re likely facing important decisions about your children. Although it’s generally preferable to work things out by mutual agreement with the other parent, there are often times where the disagreement cannot be resolved and the Court’s assistance is needed to work things out. Which Court? There are two Australian Courts that deal with family law issues: the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia. Most cases are filed in the Federal Circuit Court. The Family Court deals with cases which are really complicated, such as international family law disputes or cases or involving sexual abuse of children. Both Courts… read more
November 30, 2020
Parenting Orders and Notice of Risk form: what you need to know
Are you considering parenting orders? Then you need to know about the ‘Notice of Risk of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk’ form. This form is required to be filed to have the Court make parenting orders relating to your children. This form has to be filed even if there are non no risk or abuse problems in your situation. What is a Notice of Risk and why do I have to file one? Ask any family lawyer and they’ll tell you that most cases in the Family Court system involve allegations of family violence and child abuse. They arise in matters often in family dispute resolution too. The Notice of Risk (we’ll call it a NOR) helps the Court… read more
November 12, 2020
Family Law Mediation: 10 things you need to know
With 10 years a s the Registrar at the Family Court helping people solve family law disputes, Debra Parker is a household name when it comes to family law mediation. Debra’s excellence and achievements as a mediator in private practice have earned her several accolades, including a Lawyer’s Weekly Award. Debra’s top tips for mediation will help you understand the process and boost your chances of reaching an agreement. Here’s 10 things you need to know about family law mediation: Mediation isn’t as scary as it sounds Family law mediation is a process to help with making decisions after a relationship transition, such as separation or divorce, without going to Court. You could think of it as ‘assisted negotiation.’ A… read more
November 5, 2020
Two houses, One Christmas.
Christmas is only 12 weeks away. Have you and your ex sorted out custody arrangements for the children during the Christmas holidays? To make your Christmas merry and not miserable, you’ll need to nix arguments and conflict about who spends what time with the kids and the travel involved over the festive season. That’s the last thing you need at a time for relaxing and enjoying spending time with family and friends. Worse still – you don’t need the additional stress if you’re struggling to face Christmas as a newly separated parent. For the month of October 2020 our lawyers will chat with you FOR FREE about your Christmas custody issues, in a 30 minute consult via Zoom, telephone… read more
September 26, 2020
8 signs that mean it’s time to see a family lawyer
How do you know when it’s time to contact a family lawyer? Sometimes taking the first step is the hardest. Sometimes you’re unexpectedly thrust into a family lawyer’s office, because of something your partner has said or done. Here are 8 signs that mean it’s time to see a family lawyer: 1. You’re thinking about separating. Even before you’ve reached a final decision about whether to separate, it is worth chatting with a family lawyer about the road ahead, so you have an idea of how things will look if you do decide to end your relationship. We can speak with you discretely and completely confidentially. 2. Your partner has told you they want to separate. Whether you saw it… read more
September 26, 2020
Wondering about separation or divorce? Google search data shows you’re not alone
We get it. No one starts a relationship expecting it will end. But we all know life is unpredictable. If the recent data on Google searches is anything to go by, COVID-19 has more people than ever weighing up their relationship options. In June 2020, Google searches for ‘divorce’ set a new mid-year record, as well as a 12-month high. Lockdown rules, job losses and spikes in rates of domestic violence show that ‘for better or worse’ has been seriously tested in 2020 so far. The search term ‘divorce’ doesn’t cover data for de facto relationship breakdowns either, so if this wasn’t gloomy enough, the Google data is suggestive that de facto couples are also feeling the pain of relationship… read more
September 26, 2020