What You Need To Know About Family Law Solicitors

Family law is a wide area of law, but it basically deals with the range of issues that occur in a family setting. Whether you want to get a prenuptial agreement, a divorce, alimony payments or child support, all these cases are handled by family lawyers. Here is a look at these common elements of family law in broader detail.

Prenuptial Agreements

In Australia, prenuptial agreements are provided for in the Family Law Act. These agreements are called binding financial agreements (BFA). Prenups are made by two people who intend to get married. A prenup outlines the assets and debts each party has brought into the relationship. The agreement also states how finances will be divided when the couple is separated or divorced. You can consult a family lawyer if you are concerned about the enforcement of your prenuptial agreement.

Divorce

If you want to divorce your partner, you can fast-track the process and get favourable terms by seeking the assistance of a family law solicitor. In Australia, you can only apply for a divorce if you have been separated from your partner for at least one year. It may take several months to finalise divorce proceedings. However, if you are concerned about child support or alimony or have a prenuptial agreement, you need to have a good lawyer by your side.

Alimony

Alimony is classified into spouse maintenance and de-facto partner maintenance. The former is financial support given by a party to their former wife or husband if they cannot sufficiently support themselves. De-facto partner maintenance is similar to spouse maintenance, only that it applies to de-facto relationships and not marriages. The Family Law Act holds that a person should assist their former spouse or de-facto partner if they are unable to meet their reasonable expenses. If you want to enforce the law on alimony, you should consult a solicitor for professional guidance.

Child Support

The courts in Australia may require one or both parents to contribute to child support. This is a payment made to facilitate the upbringing of a child. To determine the parent who is to pay child support and the amount of the payment, the courts will usually consider things like how many children the couples have, the amount of income earned by both parents and anything else that is in the best interest of the child. If you have queries about child support payments, seek legal counsel from a seasoned family law solicitor.

Summing It Up

Family law is an important area of law that mainly focuses on family relationships. The common issues involving families revolve around prenuptial agreements, divorce, alimony and child support. However, family lawyers also deal with issues of child custody, inheritance and any other domestic issues. If you are concerned about the legal aspects of a family problem, it is best to consult a family law expert for advice and court representation.

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