Relationship breakdowns can be a challenging and confusing time for many people. Usually, when you and your former partner separate, difficult decisions about your children, property, finances and belongings need to be made. Therefore, it is important you protect yourself by getting legal advice as early as you can.
Sometimes it is obvious when to seek this advice. For example, if you receive a letter from your former partner’s lawyer, if you and your former partner are arguing about how to divide your assets or if your former partner has stopped letting you see your children, it is a good idea to get legal advice as soon as possible.
At other times it is not as obvious. For instance, you may be thinking about separating from your partner but are unsure about how it will work and how to keep yourself safe. Even if you haven’t confirmed that you want to separate, it is best to seek advice early on to find out what choices you have and what will work best for you and your children. Getting legal advice ensures that you understand your legal rights and responsibilities, and how the law applies to your individual situation.
It is particularly important that you are fully informed about the consequences of entering into any written agreements with your former partner before you sign them. If you sign a document with your former partner agreeing to certain parenting or property settlement arrangements, it can sometimes be difficult to change that agreement later on, even if the case goes to court.
How can we help?
We understand that separation can be overwhelming, and we can help you through this process while minimising the stress and maximising fair outcomes. If you are facing separation, please don’t hesitate to contact our Family Law team on 02 6285 8000 or by email.
