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Financial Separation Can be Hard. Div-ide can Help Make it Easier

Family Law

At Div-ide, we know that financial separation and settlement can be a difficult time for many former couples. Dividing financial assets equitably, fairly, and in a way that meets both party’s needs, can be a complex and, at times, stressful process. We’re here to help make it easier for both parties.

About Div-ide

Div-ide is a team of chartered accountants who specialise in financial separation and settlement. We help Australian couples reach a mutually agreeable financial settlement. Our service is designed to be practical and supportive, providing clients with the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their financial future.

Guiding you Through Financial Separation

Financial separation can be a complicated process, particularly when complex financial assets are involved. Many former couples have questions around division of superannuation, self-managed super funds, high-value assets, companies, trusts, businesses, and any resulting tax impact. Our specialist service guides clients through this often complex process to reach financial settlement. Our approach means we can help reduce the cost, both financial and emotional, to help clients move on with their new lives.

The Div-ide Difference

Div-ide offers a way to complete a simple financial separation in Australia. We believe the financial settlement process is primarily a financial and administrative process. It can also become a messy and expensive legal process if one or both former partners are unable to agree.

We believe that dividing assets does not need to be expensive and act as a cost-effective intermediary if either party does not want direct contact with the other.

We are not restricted to acting for one party, but rather provide support to both parties to allow them to reach their own agreement. Indeed, the process works best and generates a fairer, more equitable outcome that serves both parties’ interests, if both former partners are involved.

Div-ide’s Financial Separation Process

Div-ide has a four step process, designed to take former couples through the initial stages of financial disclosure, through to agreement and settlement.

  1. Stage one involves both parties agreeing to engage Div-ide to work through their settlement. During this stage, we provide pragmatic financial advice to assist both parties while collecting identity, financial, and other information.
  2. During stage two, we work with clients to establish the assets and liabilities of each party, asking them to each consider their future needs, and any children’s needs. From there, we work with clients to help them agree on the percentage split and asset and liability split.
  3. Stage three occurs when both parties have agreed to the percentage and asset and liability split. From there, we provide The Legal Drafter with the information required for them to prepare Consent Orders outlining the agreed split, which both parties sign. This is then lodged with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
  4. Stage four involves a series of legal processes, with the Consent Orders reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Court, or the Court seeking further information. We can assist if any further information is required prior to approval being granted.

We understand that going through a separation can be a difficult, stressful, and emotional time. The team at Div-ide are here to support and guide former couples through the financial settlement process, ensuring that both parties’ needs are met.

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Family Court

Are You Representing Yourself in the Family Court or Federal Circuit Court?

Family Law, Financial Matters, Parenting Arrangements 2

With the current strain on the economy, the high cost of legal representation coupled with the lengthy delays in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court, more and more people are representing themselves in court to resolve their property settlement and parenting arrangement.

To assist unrepresented parties or self-represented litigants in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court, there are a range of volunteer, government and community based organisations that can assist parties with the legal process and provide legal advice.  Unfortunately, these organisations don’t have the resources to draft legal documents.

Correctly drafted legal documents, such as the orders you are seeking from the Court or Affidavit can be instrumental to the quick and desirable resolution of your matter. Too often, people without experience in legal drafting will include unnecessary or inappropriate information in their legal documents, instead of focusing on facts relevant to their matter.  Well written and accurate documents supporting your matter will give the Court the best possible view of your position.  Incorrectly drafted legal documents may place the parties at risk of a miscarriage of justice and effect the Judge’s ability to make a decision that provides a ‘just and equitable‘ property settlement and parenting orders that are in the ‘best interests‘ of the child.

Our Legal Drafter can assist you with the drafting of your legal documents.  Please contact us for a Fixed Fee.

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Family Court Property Settlement

Family law property settlement issues in dispute?

Family Law, Financial Matters, Parenting Arrangements

 

*Here is how to identify and narrow issues in dispute…
  1. All parties are required to make frank disclosure to assist the Court in the determination of the dispute or the parties in the resolution of the dispute.
  2. Applications should only be brought before the Court if they are reasonably justified on the material available.
  3. It is expected that parties will negotiate both prior to, and at court, in order to narrow the issues in dispute before having the matter heard.
  4. When appropriate, a single expert or an assessor should be engaged to assist the parties and the Court to resolve disputes.
  5. Costs consequences may flow if parties seek to reopen issues already resolved or unreasonably agitate issues.
*The importance of Family Law Alternate Dispute Resolution…

The Courts encourage the use of appropriate dispute resolution procedures. Before commencing an action, parties are expected to make a genuine attempt to resolve their dispute, complying with the requirements and obligations of section 60I of the Family Law Act (Cth), the pre-action procedures in Schedule 1 to the Family Law Rules 2004 and rule 1.03 of the Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001 as applicable. Subject to an exception applying, the Court must not hear an application for parenting orders unless a section 60I certificate has been filed. After commencing an action, parties are expected to:

    1. be proactive in identifying the appropriate time, and the appropriate way, in which they can participate in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), either by agreement or by court order; and
    2. Be prepared to consider reasonable offers of settlement at any stage of the proceedings. Failure to do so may have cost consequences.

*THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE WILLIAM ALSTERGREN CHIEF JUSTICE FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA & CHIEF JUDGE FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT OF AUSTRALIA

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Family Court

Consent Orders Rejected by the Family Court?

Family Law, Financial Matters, Parenting Arrangements 12

Did you receive a requisition letter from the Family Court saying that your proposed Consent Orders “are unenforceable in that the Orders are not drafted in a manner capable of being made as orders of the Family Court”?

If you answered Yes, let us help you re-draft your proposed Consent Orders so they will be accepted by the Family Court.

Correctly drafted Consent Orders can be instrumental to the quick and desirable resolution of your matter. Too often, people without experience in legal drafting will include unnecessary or inappropriate information in their legal documents or omit vital information.  Well written and accurate documents supporting your matter will give the court the information required to approve your proposed Consent Orders for property settlements and parenting arrangements.

Our process is easy and straightforward!

 

Consent Orders

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Parenting Arrangements

Parenting Orders – what you need to know | Family Law

Family Law, Parenting Arrangements
  1. Proposed consent parenting orders must be drafted as precise orders that are capable of being made as orders of the Family Court.  It is all too common for parties to attempt to draft their proposed parenting orders as a statement of agreements reached between themselves.
  2. The Family Court Registry will return your proposed consent parenting orders where you have a statement of agreements.
  3. Everyone’s parenting arrangements are different, therefore your plan or orders must be tailored specifically to what is in the ‘best interests’ of your children.
  4. Your parenting orders need to be flexible enough that they consider the changing needs of your children as they develop through their younger years to their teenage years.  Orders that are suitable for today, may not be suitable in 5 or 10 years time.
  5. Be careful of DIY Kits!  They seem cheap, but remember they are computer generated and not tailored specifically to the needs of your children.
  6. The Legal Drafter specialises in drafting parenting orders.  We can assist you to draft orders specifically to your family’s situation so that it complies with the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

 

 

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Property & Financial Applications in the Federal Circuit Court Brisbane

Family Law

From 30 September 2019, parties seeking property and financial orders in the Federal Circuit Court Brisbane registry will only be listed before a Registrar on the first Court date and managed by a Registrar until the conclusion of the dispute resolution process.  Previously, parties were listed before a Judge of the Court.

Referral to a Judge on the first Court date will only be permitted in circumstances of genuine urgency requiring judicial determination.

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Financial Agreements – What you need to know…

Family Law, Financial Matters

What You Need To Know Before Signing a Binding Financial Agreement

Where there is duress, undue influence or unconscionable conduct at the time of entering into a Binding Financial Agreement, the court will set aside the agreement.

In the recent case of Thorne v Kennedy, the High Court of Australia set aside two (2) financial agreements on the grounds of duress, undue influence and unconscionable conduct.

The Facts

The Husband (Mr Kennedy) – 67 years old divorcee with three adult children and assets worth between $18-24 million.

The Wife (Ms Thorne) – moved to Australia in 2007 after meeting Mr Kennedy online 7 months prior.  Ms Thorne, a 36 year old European woman had limited English and no substantial assets.

On 20 September 2007, 10 days prior to the wedding, the parties entered into an agreement despite Ms Thorne receiving independent legal advice advising her not to sign the agreement.  However, Mr Kennedy informed Ms Thorne that if she did not sign the agreement the wedding would not proceed.  At this time, Ms Thorne’s sister and parents had travelled to Australia for the wedding and were staying with the parties in Mr Kennedy’s home.

Only 4 days before the wedding, the Wife signed the first agreement.  On 5 November 2007, 30 days after the wedding, the wife signed a substantially identical post-nuptial agreement (the second agreement).  Again, the Wife received independent legal advice not to sign the agreement.  The agreement was for the Wife to claim $50,000 after three or more years of marriage and if the Husband died while the parties were living together the Wife would receive a penthouse worth up to $1.5M, a Mercedes and a continuing income.

In 2011, the parties divorced, and the Wife commenced proceedings in the Federal Circuit Court seeking a property settlement claim of $1.24M, including spousal maintenance.  In 2014, during the court proceedings, the Husband died, and the Husband’s estate continued to prevent the Wife from making a claim on the estate.

The Decision

In March 2015, the Federal Circuit Court (the primary judge’s decision) set aside both agreements and held that the Wife had “signed the Agreements under duress borne of inequality of bargaining power where there was no outcome to her that was fair and reasonable”.  The court relied upon 6 factors in determining their decision:

  1. the Wife’s lack of financial equality with the Husband;
  2. the Wife’s lack of permanent status in Australia at the time;
  3. the Wife’s reliance on Mr Kennedy for all things;
  4. the Wife’s emotional connectedness to their relationship and prospect of motherhood;
  5. the Wife’s emotional preparation for marriage; and
  6. the publicness of her upcoming marriage.

The Husband’s executors appealed to the Full Court of the Family Court which overturned the Federal Circuit Court decision.  The Full Court found the agreements to be fair and reasonable because the Wife had been told by the Husband at the outset of their relationship, and she accepted it, that his wealth was for his children and provisions were made for the Wife should the Husband predecease her.  The Full Court also held that the Husband’s conduct was not unconscionable because:

  1. there was no misrepresentation made by the Husband about his financial position;
  2. the Husband made it clear at the outset that the Wife would not receive any part of his wealth on separation;
  3. the Wife believed the Husband would never leave her and her lack of concern about her financial position; and
  4. the Husband’s acceptance of handwritten amendments to the agreements that were made by the Wife’s solicitor.

The Wife then appealed the Full Court’s decision and the appeal was heard in the High Court of Australia in August 2017 and the Judgement was delivered in November 2017.

The High Court upheld the Federal Circuit Court’s decision and found the agreements had been entered into by duress, undue influence and unconscionable conduct.

The matter was returned to the Federal Circuit Court awaiting judicial determination regarding the Wife’s application for a property settlement and spousal maintenance.

This Case Provides Some Clarity For The Future

The High Court in Thorne & Kennedy listed 6 factors which will be more strongly considered where there has been duress, undue influence and unconscionable conduct in the context of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements (at [60]):

  1. whether the agreement was offered on a basis that it was not subject to negotiation;
  2. the emotional circumstances in which the agreement was entered including any explicit or implicit threat to end a marriage or to end an engagement;
  3. whether there was any time for careful reflection;
  4. the nature of the parties’ relationship;
  5. the relative financial positions of the parties; and
  6. the independent advice that was received and whether there was time to reflect on that advice.

Please note that the High Court gave clarity to further issues, and some still remain unresolved.

This article is not legal advice and is intended to provide general information only. 

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legally binding consent orders

Are Consent Orders Legally Binding?

Family Law, Financial Matters, Parenting Arrangements 4

Yes, Consent Orders are legally binding when they have been approved by the Family Court of Australia/Family Court of Western Australia.  Consent Orders have the same legal effect as an order made after a court hearing.

When you reach an agreement about property and financial matters, including superannuation and/or parenting arrangements, and you want to formalise that agreement to make it binding, you can apply to the Family Court for Consent Orders.  Once the Consent Orders are approved by the Family Court, the orders are binding and legally enforceable on both you and your former spouse.

Consent Orders can include orders about:

  • property and finances
  • superannuation
  • spousal maintenance
  • parenting

Consent Orders can’t include orders about child support or wills and estates.

There are time restrictions as to when you can file your Consent Orders.  An Application (Consent Orders) for a property and financial settlement must be filed within 12 months from the date of a divorce order taking effect.  For a de facto relationship, an Application must be filed within 2 years from the date of separation.

If you are out of time, you can still seek leave from the Family Court by including an order that you consent to making the orders out of time.

You are not required to attend Court as the Application is reviewed administratively by a Registrar of the Family Court.  You are not required to seek independent legal advice – this is optional.

At The Legal Drafter we make your Application for Consent Orders an easy and straightforward process.  Our fixed fee service provides you with the price in advance so you can decide for yourself if you can afford the cost before you make the decision to use our services.

Unfortunately, most law firms are unable to provide fixed fees because they rely on billable hours.  This means you won’t know how much your Application for Consent Orders will cost you, and this could range between $5,000 and $15,000.

If you require further information about Consent Orders please visit our website here, or alternatively the Family Court of Australia or Family Court of Western Australia.

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DIY Kits for Consent Orders – Will they be approved by the Family Court?

Family Law, Financial Matters, Parenting Arrangements

It is unlikely they will be approved by the Family Court where you have completed an online DIY kit.  DIY kits do not provide 100s of different templates that will fit perfectly to the needs of your property settlement or parenting arrangements. Each property settlement and parenting arrangement is different and must be drafted specifically to your situation in accordance with the Family Law Act 1975.

Correctly drafted court documents can be instrumental to the quick and desirable resolution of your matter.  Too often, people without experience in legal drafting will include unnecessary or inappropriate information in their court documents instead of focusing on facts relevant to their matter.

Well written and accurate documents supporting your matter will give the court the best possible view of your position.  It will prevent your Consent Orders being returned to you because they are incorrectly drafted.

We are experienced at drafting Consent Orders – it is what we do every day!

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financial matters

You may be exempt from paying stamp duty on your property after a divorce.

Family Law 14

You may be exempt from paying stamp duty on your property in certain circumstances where there is a breakdown of your relationship.

Before you transfer property between yourself and your former spouse, apply to the Family Court of Australia for Consent Orders to obtain an exemption from paying stamp duty.  We can assist you with the drafting of your Consent Orders.

Each state of Australia varies on the requirements and how to claim the exemption.  For more information relevant to your State, please contact us on enquiries@thelegaldrafter.com.au

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