Protecting Your Family & Future.

Not necessarily. The vast majority of our family law matters resolve through negotiation or formal mediation without a court hearing. We focus on achieving negotiated outcomes that protect your assets and preserve your wellbeing. However, we do not hesitate to pursue court proceedings when necessary — particularly when a party is dissipating assets, where there are urgent safety concerns, or when a negotiated resolution is not achievable.

A Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) under Australian law is the equivalent of a prenuptial agreement and can be entered into before, during, or after marriage (or a de facto relationship). A valid BFA can specify how assets and liabilities will be divided in the event of separation, potentially overriding the standard property settlement process. Both parties must receive independent legal advice for a BFA to be binding. We draft BFAs that are comprehensive, realistic, and legally valid.

Australian courts have jurisdiction to make property orders in respect of assets held overseas, including property in India, Malaysia, and other countries. However, enforcing Australian family law orders in foreign jurisdictions requires coordination with local lawyers in those countries. We have established referral networks in India and Malaysia to manage cross-border family law matters and enforce Australian property orders internationally.

To apply for divorce in Australia, you must have been separated from your spouse for at least 12 months, and either party must regard the marriage as irretrievably broken. The divorce application is made to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Where there are no children under 18, the divorce can be granted without a court hearing as a hearing in chambers. Divorce does not automatically resolve property or parenting matters — these are separate proceedings that we advise on concurrently.