Category Archives: Parenting Arrangements

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.

*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. 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

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!

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.

YES

1. The agreement is approved by the Family Court;

2. It has the same effect as a court order made by a judicial officer;

3. The terms must be followed as stated in the document;

4. It finalises the financial matters between you and your former spouse;

5. There are stamp duty exemptions (in some cases) for a transfer of property from one spouse to another; and

6. If you are splitting your superannuation, you must have an order of the court (consent orders).

NO

1. If you have already divided your finances and transferred or sold your property; and

2. There are no assets, liabilities or superannuation to divide.

(This list is not exhaustive and is not intended as legal advice.)