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When a couple separates, dividing property can be complicated—especially when family members have helped along the way. Whether it was a parent contributing to the deposit or a sibling helping with the mortgage, it’s not always clear how these contributions should be treated.

When a relationship breaks down, the financial aftermath can be just as complex as the emotional one. For those who have experienced family violence, the impact can be long-lasting — particularly when it comes to dividing property.

A key issue that a former couple must determine following separation is the division of their assets and liabilities in law. This process is called a ‘property settlement’. If your marriage or de facto relationship has broken down, it is vital that you are aware of your entitlements to achieve a fair property settlement.

If you're navigating a family law matter, you’re likely to hear the term “full and frank disclosure”. You may be wondering, what does it mean, and why do I have to do it?

Not all separations where there are children involved need to result in lengthy and contentious Court proceedings.

When two people marry, they almost certainly intend for their marriage to last. After all, that is the point of "in sickness and in health", right?

Unfortunately, many people experience incidents of domestic violence which either leads to, or occurs during the breakdown of their marriage.

People are often startled to learn what assets are taken into when people have a family law property settlement. People often think that an “asset” is simply a house, money, cars, shares and superannuation.

Following separation, meeting financial obligations can feel overwhelming and many people do not know of the options available to them.

If you are recently separated, you may be entitled to a portion of your ex-partner's superannuation, or conversely, they might be entitled to a share of yours.

A Family Violence Safety Notice is a notice issued by police to someone that they reasonably believe has committed family violence, and the safety notice is necessary for the safety...

With Married at First Sight back and in full swing, we find lots of people questioning whether the couples are really married.

We know that navigating separation, divorce and property settlements can be complex and confusing, so we’ve put together a quick FAQ on some of the basics for you!

As we enter the new year, many individuals find themselves reflecting on relationships and contemplating change. In January each year at Aitken Partners, we often see a spike in separations, as individuals grapple with a desire for a fresh start and consider their family dynamics during the holidays. New year resolutions and a heightened focus on family can magnify existing issues and lead to difficult decisions.

Understanding spousal maintenance when a party is unable to financially support themselves adequately can be a maze to navigate. There are a number of factors taken into consideration by the Court, with one crucial element being the future needs of the involved parties.

An Intervention Order (IVO) is a civil Order made by the Magistrates Court for the protection of a person. An IVO can help protect you and your family from anyone who is violent or makes you feel unsafe.

It is expected in Australia that both parents have an obligation to financially support their child(ren) after a separation or divorce. Whether you are paying or receiving child support, payments can be a significant concern for parents going through a separation so it is important you understand your rights in relation to child support.

I am not sure why, but there seems to be some confusion amongst people that they need to be separated for 12 months before they start the process for a property settlement after separation in Victoria. This isn’t correct. As I have previously mentioned, you need to wait 12 months after separation to get divorced but not for a property settlement.

While caveats provide an affordable and effective option to parties to prevent registered landowners from engaging in unauthorised dealings inconsistent with a caveator’s right and interest in land, there are various risks of which parties and solicitors ought to be aware.

The amount of first conferences lawyers have where they are told, “I only want a fair property settlement”. Well, what does a fair outcome mean? From the outset, your lawyer is not going to (well really shouldn’t) give you a definitive outcome.