Our firm possesses extensive expertise in various family law issues and are equipped to offer personalized legal assistance tailored to meet the specific circumstances of each case. We adeptly manage divorce, child custody and property settlement cases as well as prenuptial agreements; paternity claims and domestic violence injunctions; independent valuations for your property as well as helping determine an equitable way to divide assets.
Child Custody

In divorce cases involving children, custody refers to the court's determination of who will make major decisions about their future - such as decisions regarding housing, education and extracurricular activities - on behalf of that child. A judge may grant physical (also known as "residential") or legal custody.

Courts always keep the child's best interests in mind when making custody arrangements. Parents are encouraged to collaborate in creating an arrangement that works best for both parties - however if this cannot be accomplished then a Judge will decide what is in their child's best interests.

Whenever a custodial parent wishes to relocate with his or her children, permission must be obtained from both parties and from the court that issued their initial custody order. Moving without either party's approval could result in legal sanction (fines and jail time) being applied against that individual; noncustodial parents can request supervised visitation with custodial parents in these instances.
Property

Property division is often at the core of divorce cases. From real estate, vehicles and valuable items to trusts for protecting assets, knowing what your entitlements are is important for ensuring a fair resolution. Our team of property lawyers in Werribee can arrange independent valuations to be conducted so we can help divide property equally while also creating trusts to safeguard them. Get in touch today to talk with one of our Werribee Property Lawyers.
Financial Settlements

Divorce will inevitably diminish their standard of living, particularly for the majority who aren't very wealthy. Two households can be more costly to operate than one; and if one spouse was a stay-at-home parent there may be less income or assets to split between both partners. A financial settlement through mediation or court can help ensure both parties receive fair shares from what's left over.

Prior to beginning negotiations, it's essential that you gain a comprehensive view of your financial position. Consulting a qualified financial expert may also prove beneficial as they can assess things like tax consequences associated with various settlement options as well as future value of various assets.

Courts follow certain criteria when allocating assets during property division. For instance, when resources do not suffice to meet both parties' needs equally, economic dependency often takes precedence when allocating them - this method of allocation is known as the needs approach.
Prenuptial Agreements

Prenups, also referred to as prenuptial agreements, are legal documents designed to safeguard financial assets and secure the future. They typically include lists of each partner's individual assets as well as guidelines regarding property acquired during marriage that should be treated differently if it comes time for divorce, debt responsibilities related to joint debts and an outline for spousal support payments.

Prenuptial agreements depend on full disclosure and compliance with various requirements; to reduce stress in case of death or divorce, clearly delineating property and income rights so each spouse will inherit their separate assets and earnings will help ease tension.

Be mindful that courts do not uphold provisions in prenuptial agreements regarding visitation, child custody and support as these issues fall under public policy and must be decided according to what's in the best interests of children involved. Therefore it's essential that you work with an experienced Werribee divorce lawyer.