Family Law Guides

Queensland’s domestic violence laws prioritize safety through Protection Orders and the recent criminalisation of coercive control. This guide explains the legal definition of ‘domestic violence’, the process of applying for a DVO at the Southport courthouse, and the critical intersection between state-based protection orders and federal family law proceedings.

Separation is one of life’s hardest transitions - and one of the few where the legal system hands you a genuine advantage for being organised. This checklist is the roadmap we give clients in their first appointment: work through it in order, and you will avoid the mistakes that cost people years and tens of thousands of dollars. Week 1: Establish the Foundations 1. Date-stamp the separation. A short written message to your partner: “I consider our relationship ended as of today.” This date drives the divorce clock (12 months), the de facto property deadline (2 years), and evidentiary questions from contributions to add-backs.