People may specifically look for family lawyers in North Sydney if it’s more convenient for them. Indeed, we are living in an age where we can make transactions and even meet people online. This includes a person who wants to obtain professional legal advice for their family law matters.
However, some people prefer to meet face-to-face and meet a family lawyer in person. But, is there a North Sydney Office that people can go to if they want to address their family law matter in person? JB Solicitors have offices around Australia for anyone’s easy access for face to face meetings. Here are the addresses:
- Sydney CBD Office: Level 20, 233 Castlereagh St. Sydney NSW 2000
- Canley Heights Office: Suite 3, Level 1/203, Canley Vale Rd. NSW 2166
- Bondi Junction Office: 103/332-342 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Our Sydney CBD Office is our most convenient office for people who want to address their legal matters personally if they’re living in North Sydney. We only provide the best expert advice for people regardless of the complexity of a family law case. This article will talk about what our family lawyers near North Sydney offer.
Common Family Law Matters
Divorce and Separation
Divorce is the act of legally ending a marriage and is usually for married couples. While separation is mostly for de facto couples. De facto couples are couples who are living on a genuine domestic basis and having sexual relations but are not married. Our divorce lawyers in North Sydney can help married and de facto couples with:
- Preparing legal paperwork needed for divorce and separation
- Determining the best separation pathway for couples
- Gather evidence and documents for divorce or separation and present the best outcome
- Proving the existence of a de facto relationship
- Serving a sole divorce application to the other party or helping couples file for a joint divorce application. Couples may apply for a joint application if they both agree to get a divorce. While a sole application will require the applicant to serve the application to the other party. However, courts will have to make assessments before approving both applications.
- Providing guidance for couples regarding their rights, duties, and obligations throughout the whole family law process
- Explain how to arrange custody, and financial matters for children after a divorce
- Initiating property settlement and maintenance proceedings if necessary
- Initiating family law proceedings when necessary
Parenting and Children Matters
Parenting matters are regarded as one of the most important family law matters since there are children involved. Why? Divorcing or separating parents must make parenting arrangements if there are children in their relationship. Section 60CC of the Family Law Act 1975 sets out the child’s best interests when making parenting arrangements.
There are two ways for parents to make arrangements for parenting purposes. Firstly, parents can make out-of-court agreements and present a parenting plan to the court to legally enforce it. Parents will then enter these arrangements into a consent order once the court is satisfied that the parenting plan follows the child’s best interests.
Secondly, parents can approach our family lawyers near North Sydney and then go to court if they’re in disagreement. The judge will then decide on what family law arrangements are best for the child or children. The court will then make parenting orders which will require compliance from both parties of the marriage. The following people can apply for parenting orders:
- The child’s parents
- Grandparents
- The children involved
- Other people who are concerned with the welfare and safety of a child
Property Settlement
Property settlement enables couples to amicably divide their assets and finances after divorce or separation. This includes any assets or properties that the couple has acquired before, during, or after the relationship or family breakdown. Some of these assets and properties include:
- The marital home
- Investment homes or other properties
- Superannuation. Superannuation is an employee’s money accumulated while they are working. Upon the employee’s retirement, the employer must release this payment to the employee. Think of it as a pension paid to an employee who has made contributions to a fund.
- Any cash left in banks
- Shares, stocks, or bonds
- Vehicles or boats
- Personal loans and credit cards
- Any outstanding debts. If there are any outstanding debts, creditors (a person to whom money is owed) may take part in property settlement proceedings in court. It’s important to seek personalised advice from our family lawyers near North Sydney even if there are no debts in property settlement proceedings.
- Tax liabilities
- Inheritances if the person giving the inheritance intended for both couples to use it rather than just one.
Binding Financial Agreements
Binding financial agreements are legal agreements that set out the proper division of a couple’s assets and finances. Couples may approach our family lawyers near North Sydney to divide their assets and finances before a relationship breakdown. Moreover, couples may also use binding financial agreements for child support and child maintenance agreements.
Child support is financial aid given to children under 18, while children over 18 receive child maintenance. Generally, child support stops at 18, however some adult children (children over 18) need financial aid because they either have:
- The need to finish their college degree and/or relevant training and courses,
- Mental and physical illnesses that hinder them from achieving a normal living standard
Family Violence and Abuse
Family violence is a crime and will require proper family law proceedings if it gets out of hand. Moreover, courts will most likely intervene if there are children involved and if no necessary action is being commenced. Family violence victims may apply for an apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO) to protect them from the violent person. Here are different types of domestic violence and abuse:
- Physical (hitting, kicking, destruction of property, use of weapons, etc)
- Emotional (emotional manipulation, gaslighting, bullying, controlling behaviours)
- Financial (Controlling the relationship’s finances, using the money for gambling without the other person’s consent, restricting a person from using their own bank account)
- Sexual (any sexual activity without consent)
- Social (preventing people from seeing their own friends or family members)
- Verbal (Public or private humiliation, making negative comments about a person’s intelligence, sexuality, body image, or overall value as a person)
- Spiritual (using religious teachings or cultural traditions to justify abuse or violence, denying access to religious ceremonies, lands, or families)
Estate Planning
Our family lawyers near North Sydney also specialise in Wills and estate planning for Will-makers. Wills are legal documents that contain a deceased’s last wishes and intentions for his assets, finances, and property. A family lawyer can also help with getting probate for Wills which is the legal process of validating a Will. Estate planning is a legal system that comprises of:
- Preparing a Will and/or trust.
- Appointing beneficiaries of a Will
- Making a power of attorney. This document enables a person to manage a deceased’s finances and medical and legal decisions in the event that the Will-maker becomes incapacitated.
- Constant review and revision of the estate plan and Will
Our North Sydney Family Lawyers
We have extensive experience in all of the above-mentioned legal matters. Our family law team also gives clients the choice to opt for an out-of-court dispute resolution when necessary.
We provide mediation and arbitration services for disputed parties who want to amicably agree on their family law matters. Our services are conducted in a cost-effective manner and in a less time-saving way.
Contact a family lawyer near North Sydney to address your legal matter today.
