Blog
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Watts McCray continue to attract quality lawyers
During the months of April and May 2013, Watts McCray continued its on-going growth as Australia’s leading family law firm, employing two new highly qualified solicitors. Fadiya Ali, a former solicitor at M & K Lawyers joined Watts McCray’s city office on 15 April 2013. Fadiya is a vibrant, hardworking addition to the team, and we look forward to Fadiya assisting our clients to progress their family law matters. In addition to Fadiya, the Sydney office will welcome Elizabeth (Libby) Bedford into the ranks on 3 June 2013. Libby is a former director of KDB Holmes and is highly regarded [...]
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Watts McCray partners meet with LawAsia President
Three of our partners, Justin Dowd, Jackie Vincent and Collette McFawn recently met with LawAsia President Ms Malathi Das of Singapore, who had travelled to Australia to attend the Inaugural Sitting of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on 1 May 2013. Ms Das later joined the partners for lunch and a more informal discussion about legal issues of mutual interest. Watts McCray has long been a supporter of the work of LawAsia, particularly in respect of Children’s Rights in the region. LawAsia as an international organisation of lawyers’ associations, lawyers, judges, legal academics, and others, focused on the interests [...]
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More Watts McCray Kernans Family Law Seminars
We promised you there’d be more, and we have delivered. Watts McCray Kernans will hold 3 more family law seminars on the following dates: Thursday 16 May 2013 -12:30pm- 1:30pm Thursday 23 May 2013 -12:30pm- 1:30pm Thursday 30 May 2013 – 12:30pm- 1:30pm Kate O’Grady, our resident Accredited Specialist – Family Law, will present the FREE seminars on these dates. The seminars will cover the following topics: Marriage/De Facto separation Divorce Parenting arrangements Child Support Property settlement Spousal maintenance Other important issues to consider when separating RSVPs for these events are essential. Please contact Claire Laurent at our Central Coast [...]
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Children of divorced parents are more likely to start smoking
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 1
Unfortunately nowadays it’s not uncommon for young adults to become addicted to smoking at a young age, but recent studies have shown that the chances are increased if the individual comes from a divorced family. A study from Esme Fuller-Thomson of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto involved more than 19,000 Americans from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control for her survey. The study found that women who experienced divorce before they turned 18 had 39 per cent higher odds of becoming smokers than children of intact marriages. For men it was more severe, as [...]
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Patrick Parkinson on Dispute Resolution in Australia
Professor Patrick Parkinson’s article about the process of dispute resolution in Australia explains the recent procedural revolutions regarding child custody laws that Australia has ever seen: “This article explains these changes by first describing the division of legislative responsibility in parenting matters, and the language used in Australia in place of “custody”. It then explores the procedure for resolving parenting disputes. The changes include new laws dealing with parenting after separation, and new processes for resolving family disputes, in particular, the development of Family Relationship Centres.” If you would like to read more about this article, please follow the link to [...]
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Divorce and drinking: the glass is half-full
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 0
We all like to share a glass of wine (or two) with our significant other, and a Norwegian study of nearly 20,000 couples has found that couples who drink little together stay together – literally. Conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the study reports that couples who drink similar amounts are not only more compatible, but are more likely to stay together than couples who vary greatly in their drinking habits. Those couples highest at risk are ones where the wife drinks excessively; however, binge drinking on either or both ends doesn’t bode well, it seems. In couples [...]
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Watts McCray Erina staff members attend Erina Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
On Thursday the 21st of February, Peter Kernan and Chelsea Winter of Watts McCray’s Erina office attended the Erina Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, held at the Impact Centre, Erina. Special guests, Dani and Nath from SEA FM, also attended. Allan Mason was the guest speaker and provided an economic and business outlook for 2013 from an accountants perspective. The event was a success and provided a great opportunity to meet with other local businesses.
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Peter Kernan attend the Central Coast Law Society Annual Dinner Dance.
On Thursday the 20th of December Peter Kernan of Watts McCray’s Erina office attended the annual dinner for the Central Coast Law Society which, this year, was held at the Reef Restaurant located in The Haven, Terrigal. The function was also attended by Federal Magistrate Matthew Myers. Peter found that the event was enjoyed by all who attended and provided a great opportunity to mix with other local practitioners in a relaxed atmosphere.
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Watts McCray luncheon with Nicola Roxon
Last week members of Watts McCray, Central Coast attended a lunch with several other local business people to hear the Attorney General Nicola Roxon speak. This was an important event for the Central Coast and its business people and it was a privilege to be in attendance.
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Watts McCray Kernans’ new staff
Last week Watts McCray welcomed a new staff member into its ranks. Kierren Lee moves into the role of receptionist in a maternity leave role. Please join with us in welcoming her into the Watts McCray ranks and we wish her well in her new role.