Social media has changed the way we communicate and is an integral part of how people connect in today’s culture. The use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Snapchat and other social networking sites and smartphone applications is second nature for many people. According to the 2017 Sensis Social Media Report, 79% of Australians are active on social media and over a third of users check their accounts five times or more per day. While social media is a great enabler in … [Read more...] about Can Social Media Impact Your Family Law Dispute?
marriage breakdown
What are the most common reasons for divorce?
After over 30 years as a family lawyer representing clients in family breakdowns and disputes, I’ve heard and continue to hear many reasons for divorce. “We grew apart”, “We fell out of love”, “The spark is gone”, or “He/she cheated on me”. My role and obligation as a family lawyer are to assist my clients in making the best decisions for their happiness and well-being. This often includes the careful consideration of divorce and whether there are alternative routes available such as … [Read more...] about What are the most common reasons for divorce?
How do you know divorce is the right choice?
As a family lawyer, one wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that I only ever suggest that divorce is the right choice. I’ve seen my fair share of positive and negative divorce outcomes during my 35 years in practice, but no matter the outcome rarely is the journey through divorce easy and without emotional pain and financial stress. Certainly, there are family conflict situations, such as domestic violence and abuse where separation and divorce are necessary for the safety, protection, health … [Read more...] about How do you know divorce is the right choice?
Six Ways to Reclaim Your Marriage and Avoid Divorce?
If spring is the season to wed, research suggests summer is the season to separate. But does it need to be? A US study found that the national divorce-filing rate goes up in March and August of each year. In Australia, the peak period for separation is in February and March. And according to the researchers, this is no coincidence. They found a seasonal pattern for divorce and separation follows the summer and winter holidays. And as a trusted family lawyer practising for over 30 … [Read more...] about Six Ways to Reclaim Your Marriage and Avoid Divorce?
Better not to secretly record or videotape
In Family Law proceedings, in arguing a case before the Family Court, you may want proof of an event (or events) that supports your case—incidents of violence by a partner, for example. You may lack proof to back up your case—many events take place behind closed doors, when no one else is present. How do you prove what happened? What about a video or a sound recording that corroborates your allegations? Can a recording of conversations, or a video of the acts of the other party, be used as … [Read more...] about Better not to secretly record or videotape
Family Law In a Multicultural Context
No doubt about it, we’re a multicultural nation. To prove the point, Australia was recently ranked as the second most multicultural nation in the world, after Luxembourg. Almost 50% of Australia’s population was either born overseas or has a parent who was born abroad. But how has this cultural diversity affected marriage, separation and divorce in Australia? It is a question that affects many Australians. Almost half of Australian marriages involve at least one spouse born overseas. And … [Read more...] about Family Law In a Multicultural Context
