Blog
-
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 [...]
-
What is the difference between a de facto relationship and marriage in the eyes of the law?
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 9
The make-up of the modern household is quite different to what it used to be even just a generation ago. As a result, the definition of spousal relationships has also changed in the eyes of the law. Today, de facto couples are entitled to the same rights and claims when it comes to Family Law matters including property, financial settlements and arrangements for the children of the relationship. How does the law define a de facto relationship? The laws defining a de facto relationship are outlined in the Family Law Act 1975. The law requires that two people, who may [...]
-
The child support scheme and parents
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 0
Child support can be a difficult process as it is, but a new study shows the child support system – which underwent reform in 2008 – is actually so complex that the majority of parents don’t understand the rules. Conducted by Professor Bruce Smyth from the Australian National University, the study shows that more than 80 per cent of parents who pay or receive child support didn’t know or were confused about how child support calculations are worked out – and what’s more, one in five thought they knew the rules but were misinformed. Less than one in 10 were [...]
-
The importance of choosing the right family lawyer
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 3
The decision to utilise family law services is never an easy one – it usually comes at a critical juncture in one’s life and is wrought by emotional intensity and signifies significant change. However, choosing the right family lawyer can help make the difficult process a little bit easier to deal with. Meanwhile, choosing the wrong lawyer or not seeking legal advice at all, could lead to further headache and heartache in the future. What should I know about choosing a family lawyer? In matters of Family Law, you will find that you need to seek out a lawyer that [...]
-
Double mediation for divorce – what does it mean?
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 1
A new initiative is being trialled in NSW Family Courts that will have couples that have matters relating to property settlement to undergo a second round of compulsory mediation before their case can be put before the courts. The initiative has been established by the Law Society and Bar Association with the Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court in an effort to save on the costs of hearing a matter before those courts. It will be tried on 110 couples that are due to have their cases heard later in the year. What is family law mediation? Mediation, sometimes known [...]
-
What you need to know about: PARENTING ARRANGEMENTS
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 0
This is part of an information series to provide simple, easy-to-understand guidance for dealing with family law matters when a relationship breaks down. For more information or the help of a specialist family lawyer, please contact Watts McCray Family Law. The most important thing to know about parenting arrangements is that by law, decisions should always made in the best interest of the child. If a couple cannot agree on where the child will live and how much time will be spent with both parents, the Court will make decisions that ensure the child’s wellbeing. What are my responsibilities as [...]
-
Debate continues over proposed changes to the Family Law Act
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 0
In late 2010, proposed changes to the Family Law Act were presented to the Federal Government. The changes, designed to provide better protection for families and children at risk of violence, remain before the parliament. The proposed changes include a new definition of family violence with a list of examples of the kind of behaviour that might fall into that definition, along with a revised definition of abuse. They are also aimed at removing the barriers that might stop parents raising safety concerns for their children in court, and reducing the weight placed on shared parenting. If passed, the changes [...]
-
On the road to divorce
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 0
Australians are no strangers to commuting. And if you live in Sydney, you live in the city ranked 10th for the most pain experienced by commuters. To add salt to the wound, that commute can increase the probability of your marriage failing. Last week, Umea University in Sweden released findings that marriages in which one partner has a commute longer than 45 minutes are 40% more likely to end in divorce. Statistics taken from two million Swedish households between 1995 and 2000 provided the results for the study, and revealed that when one spouse (which is usually the husband) spends [...]
-
Man closes Sydney Harbour Bridge to get his message across – “Plz help my kids”
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 6
A Sydney father went to desperate measures this morning to protest against the rights of children and fathers when parents separate and divorce. The man – “Mick”, 38 – climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 5am this morning using ropes to climb the arch. Once at the top, he hung two banners, reading “Kids First” and “Plz Help My Kids”. From the top of the bridge on his mobile phone, the man spoke to different members of the media. He told the Nine Network: “If I have to stuff 4 million people around for one morning [...]
-
Division over proposed changes to the Family Law Act
Author: Watts McCray Comments: 7
Proposed changes to the Family Law Act have been introduced into Parliament for consideration, that focus on the best interests and safety of the child. The government released the draft changes in November 2010, stating that the changes were designed to provide better protection for families and children at risk of violence. The proposed changes to the Family Law Act include a new definition of family violence with a list of examples of the kind of behaviour that might fall into that definition, along with a revised definition of abuse. At the core of the family violence definition is a [...]