Navigating Child Live With Arrangements: How to Modify Orders

Child custody arrangements, as you might refer to them, are referred to in the Family Law Act  as “live with” arrangements. These arrangements outline where a child will reside after the parents separate. “Live with” arrangements made by way of final parenting orders in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia are difficult to […]

The Role of Family Relationship Consultants in Collaborative Matters: Advantages and Impact on Resolving Disputes.

In the realm of family law, collaborative matters are gaining popularity as an alternative approach to resolving disputes outside the traditional courtroom setting. Family Relationship Consultants (FRCs) play a significant role in these collaborative processes, providing valuable expertise and guidance to individuals navigating sensitive family-related issues. We explore the benefits of involving FRCs in collaborative […]

Navigating Family Law Issues: 8 Essential Legal Tips for Your Journey

Family law matters can be emotionally challenging and legally complex. At Clark Panagakos Family Law we think of Family law matters as social and emotional issues with a legal consequence. Whether you are going through a divorce, dealing with child custody disputes, trying to resolve property or financial matters, or still wondering if you are […]

Why the Best Family Lawyer for the Job Is Not the Most Aggressive

Frequently clients arrive and announce that they need “a tough lawyer who will fight for me”. At Clark Panagakos we will take the gloves off if it is necessary but find that starting a matter, or indeed generally being involved in a matter and behaving like a gladiator is not necessarily the best approach and […]

Do I need a lawyer to be able to apply for a Divorce?

There is no legal requirement to hire a lawyer for a divorce. The application is relatively straightforward and can be found on the Court website www.fcfcoa.gov.au. The divorce does trigger a deadline in relation to a Property or Spouse maintenance application and as such if you are considering applying for a divorce we recommend you […]

Adult Child Maintenance: Responsibilities and Considerations

The Child Support (Assessment Act) 1989 (Cth) provides that child support is required to be paid upon the child attaining the age of 18 years or upon the completion of secondary school whichever occurs later. In some circumstances parents may have a legal obligation to provide financial support to their children beyond the age of […]

Are “Pre-Nups” valid?

Prenuptial Agreements known as Binding Financial Agreements (BFA) in Australia are recognised and valid. BFA’s allow couples to determine how their assets, debts, and financial resources will be divided in the event of separation or divorce. However, BFA’s will not be suitable for all couples. Given the legal complexities associated with BFA’s, it is crucial […]

Binding Child Support Agreements: Exploring the Pros and Cons

Child support is a crucial aspect of ensuring the financial well-being of children after the separation or divorce of their parents. The payment of child support is governed by the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth). However, parents can depart from child support payments as assessed under the Act and reach a private agreement in […]

Children & Divorce

Research suggests that it is not divorce itself but the level of conflict between parents that has the most significant impact on children’s well-being. While divorce can be a challenging experience for children, the negative effects are often associated with ongoing conflict and disruption in their lives rather than the divorce itself. High levels of […]