During the exciting early stages of a new relationship, no one stops to think about the legal status of their relationship. However, in some circumstances, it can be in your interests to consider whether you and your partner are in a de facto relationship and if you need to take any steps to proactively protect yourself in case you separate in the future.
Read MoreA Parenting Plan is a written agreement between parents who are separated for the care of their children. The Parenting Plan can include agreements about….
Read MoreThere is a common misconception in separating families that once children reach a certain age, they are able to choose which parent to live with. While children’s views are of course important to parents, if parents are not able to reach agreement about their children’s living arrangements, the Court will ultimately make the decision and the children’s views will be only one factor which is taken into account in that decision.
Read MoreIf you and your ex-partner aren’t able to agree on arrangements for your children, the Court may appoint an Independent Children’s Lawyer, or an ICL. The ICL’s role is to be independent of both parents and consider things from the best interests of the children.
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Read MoreImagine you’re in a relationship and you’ve expanded your family by getting a gorgeous dog or cat, your “fur baby”. Together you care for this animal and it’s very attached to both of you. Then a few years later the relationship breaks down and you decide to go your separate ways. Who legally gets to keep the pet you adopted together? Can you get custody of your pet or have legal living arrangements made up?
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