Family Law

Relationship breakdown is one of the most confronting and painful experiences any of us can have, particularly where there are children involved. If you are facing a separation, it is very important that you have a clear picture of the relevant legal principles, so that you can make adequate plans for yourself and your children.

Turner Freeman's expert family law team can provide you with additional information and assistance in a mature, supportive and cost effective way.

Support Services 

The Family Relationship Advice Line (1800 050 321) is available from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday (local time), except national public holidays, and provides information on family relationship issues and advice on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer callers to local services that can provide assistance.

Other useful services include:

Relationships Australia(Canberra and Region): 1300 886 999

CatholicCare Relationship Counselling: 02 9283 4899

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Relationships Australia: 02 9418 8800 or 

Salvo Care Line: 02 9331 6000

Salvo Crisis Line: 02 9331 2000 suicide prevention 24 hour

  • Divorce

    A divorce order dissolves the legal relationship between a married couple. Before seeking a divorce order, the couple must have been separated for at least one year.

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  • Family Violence and Abuse

    All people, including children, have the right to live free from threatened and actual physical, emotional and economic abuse.

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  • Children

    In dealing with parenting issues, the Family Law Act sets out the following important principles:

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  • Property

    When can I seek a property settlement? There is no ‘waiting time’ for commencing proceedings for property settlement or for entering into an agreement dividing the property of the relationship between partners. Accordingly, a couple does not have to have been divorced or even separated before sorting their property issues out. However, you must commence property proceedings within one year of obtaining a divorce order.

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  • Consent Orders and Binding Financial Agreements

    If you and your former partner can agree on how to parent your children after separation and divide your property, you can either enter into consent orders or a binding financial agreement.

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