Family Law
Legal updates, articles, and radio segments categorized under Family Law.
Legal Matters Ep 23 Separation, Property Pools and Add-Backs
Separation and de facto relationships raise some of the most emotionally charged questions in Australian Family Law, especially …
Legal Matters Ep 24 Trusts, Family Violence and Property Settlement
Control of a family trust and a history of family violence can both change the outcome of a property settlement, and the rules …
Legal Matters: Parenting Arrangements & the Children's Best Interests Test
Parenting disputes turn on what is best for the child, not what is fair to the parents, and that test is applied in a structured …
Drones, Rental Cars and Parenting Relocation: Your Legal Questions Answered
Drones, rental cars and parenting relocation: your legal questions answered Can you launch a drone from the beach, chase whale …
Separation Checklist QLD: Property, Children and Money - The Complete Guide
Separation is one of life’s hardest transitions - and one of the few where the legal system hands you a genuine advantage …
Can Superannuation Be Split Before Divorce in Australia?
You do not need to be divorced to split superannuation, and waiting for a divorce can waste the window that already exists. Super …
How Does Family Violence Affect Property Settlement After the 2025 Changes?
Family violence can affect a property settlement where it harmed a party’s ability to contribute or their future needs, and …
When Does the Property Settlement Time Limit Start for Married and De Facto Couples?
The property settlement clock starts on a different date depending on whether you were married or in a de facto relationship. …
Can a Trust Protect an Inheritance From Your Child’s De Facto Partner?
Can a trust protect an inheritance from your child’s de facto partner? A testamentary trust or discretionary trust may assist with …
Can a Parent Relocate With a Child After Separation?
Can a parent relocate with a child after separation? A parent may be able to relocate, but a move that materially affects a …
How Can Parenting Arrangements Be Changed?
How can parenting arrangements be changed? The answer depends on whether you have an informal arrangement, a parenting plan or …
How Do I Transfer Property Title Between Spouses in Queensland?
How Do I Transfer Property Title Between Spouses in Queensland? Transferring property title between spouses is a common legal …
How is economic abuse considered in family law property settlements in Queensland?
How is economic abuse considered in family law property settlements in Queensland? What is economic abuse? Economic abuse (also …
What is dowry abuse and how is it treated under Queensland family and domestic violence law?
What is dowry abuse and how is it treated under Queensland family and domestic violence law? Definition of dowry abuse Dowry abuse …
How does preventing someone from maintaining connections with their family constitute family violence in Queensland?
How does preventing someone from maintaining connections with their family constitute family violence in Queensland? Legal …
What does 'unlawfully depriving a person of their liberty' mean in the context of family violence in Queensland?
What does “unlawfully depriving a person of their liberty” mean in the context of family violence in Queensland? Legal …
Kennon v Kennon [1997] FamCA 27 – Family Violence and Contributions in Property Settlements
Kennon v Kennon [1997] FamCA 27 – Family Violence and Contributions in Property Settlements Citation: Kennon v Kennon [1997] …
How Are Family Trust Assets Treated in Property Settlement?
Trust assets are not automatically in or out of the property pool, and the answer turns on control. Where a party effectively …
If the family home is only in my spouse’s name, do I still have a claim to it in a property settlement?
If the family home is only in my spouse’s name, do I still have a claim to it in a property settlement? In Queensland family law, …
How does power of appointment affect whether a trust is treated as property in a family law settlement?
How does power of appointment affect whether a trust is treated as property in a family law settlement? In Queensland family law, …
What Counts as Separation in Family Law?
Separation is the trigger for many of the time limits and processes discussed in this FAQ series. Before you can talk about …
How Does the Family Law Property Settlement Process Work?
When a relationship ends, Australian family law uses a structured approach to dividing property. Whether you are married or in a …
Can My Separated but Undivorced Spouse Claim on My Inheritance?
Many parents worry that money they leave to a child might end up in the hands of an estranged son‑ or daughter‑in‑law. Australian …
What Is a Property Pool and How Do Add-Backs Work?
When a relationship ends, the first step in any property settlement is identifying the property pool. This pool is the net worth …
What Are the Property Settlement Time Limits After Separation in Queensland?
The time limits for property settlement after separation are short, and they apply to more than just a contested hearing. Knowing …
Legal Matters Ep 21: De Facto vs Married Rights, BFAs & Auction Disclosure
Should a two-year relationship really carry the same legal weight as a marriage certificate when a couple splits up? This episode …
Legal Matters Ep 20: Property Settlement, Contributions & Will Disputes
In Episode 20, Andrew Bell and Colin Balewski continue the Legal Matters family law series, explaining how separation is legally …
Legal Matters Ep 19: New E-Bike Laws & Family Law Basics
Queensland’s incoming e-bike speed limits, random breath testing, and new licensing rules come into force on 1 July and 31 …
Legal Myths Busted: What Australians Get Wrong About Costs, Family Law and Estates
Episode 15 of Legal Matters with Andrew Bell takes on the most persistent legal myths circulating in everyday Australian …
Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland: The Complete Legal Guide
Queensland’s domestic violence laws prioritize safety through Protection Orders and the recent criminalisation of coercive …
Gold Coast Property Settlement: A Step-by-Step Timeline
A Gold Coast property settlement follows a defined sequence of steps from separation to final formalisation, typically taking …
Mediation vs Court: Which is Faster for Family Law Matters in Queensland?
For most Queensland families, mediation resolves parenting and property disputes in three to six months, compared to twelve to …
When a Parenting Agreement Goes Bad: Withholding Money and Enforcement Options
A handshake or mediation agreement is not a court order. If your ex-partner stops paying school fees or child support, you need to …
Legal Matters: Parenting Agreements & High-Profile Defamation Cases
Parenting agreements and online posts both fail quickly when they are not written to be enforceable or not written carefully at …
Domestic Violence and Working from Home
Understanding the unique legal and safety challenges when domestic violence intersects with work-from-home arrangements.