Family Law

Family Law & Mediation

Hawkesbury Legal assists clients with all matters relating to general family law and mediation, including, but not limited to, prenuptial agreements, property settlements, children’s matters, divorce settlements, and everything in between.

Compassionate Counsel When You Need It

Family lawyers play an integral role in assisting two parties to come to a mutually beneficial agreement. With years of experience beneath my belt, I understand that the times where you come to me for counsel are some of the hardest in your life. It is for this reason that the support services I provide are both professional and compassionate. In doing so, I treat every client’s situation with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

Hawkesbury Legal assists clients with all matters relating to general family law and mediation, including, but not limited to, prenuptial agreements, property settlements, children’s matters, divorce settlements, and everything in between. I am also a fully qualified Mediator registered with the Australian Mediation Association and can assist you and your ex-partner to come to an amicable agreement to avoid costly and stressful litigation.

In every case, I endeavour to inform clients about the legal process in order to help them remain realistic about their goals and reach the most mutually beneficial outcome possible. The general family law and mediation support I provide at Hawkesbury Legal allows matters to be resolved in such a manner that protects the interests of all involved without the need to proceed to court.

Property and Children’s Matters

We are committed to achieving a prompt resolution, whether that is a Binding Financial Agreement or Consent Orders. We believe it is in all parties’ best interest to avoid litigation, which can be both costly and stressful.

Drawing on my expertise and understanding, I will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you are fully informed of your rights and entitlements, and assisting you in making well-considered decisions.

To begin, I offer a complimentary, no-obligation discussion to evaluate how I can best assist you. Please note that the initial 1-hour consultation is free, provided you choose to engage my services for your matter.

The Benefits of Mediation in Family Law

The prospect of going to court after a relationship breakdown is daunting for most people. Stories of lengthy, costly, and emotionally draining property or child custody disputes are all too common. These legal battles can exhaust both parties’ resources and extend over lengthy periods, causing significant stress for everyone involved.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) strongly encourages mediation as a preferred means of resolving disputes outside the courtroom. In fact, the Court requires both parties to make a genuine effort to resolve matters through mediation or alternative dispute resolution before proceeding to litigation.

Mediation offers a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to court proceedings, providing a platform for couples or families in dispute—whether over property matters or time with children—to reach a mutually acceptable resolution without the need for a judge’s intervention.

As a fully accredited mediator with the Australian Mediation Association, I can assist parties in navigating their legal disputes by facilitating open communication and helping them explore their legal options. However, as a mediator, I do not make decisions or provide legal advice; my role is to guide the conversation toward a resolution that works for everyone involved.

Key Benefits of Mediation:

Cost-Effective: Mediation is typically far less expensive than going through court proceedings.
Time-Efficient: While court dates can be months away, mediation can often be arranged quickly, allowing for faster resolution.
Flexible Solutions: Mediation allows the parties to craft a settlement tailored to their unique needs and circumstances, rather than being bound by a court ruling.
Control: The parties maintain control over the outcome, reaching an agreement through mutual consent rather than having a decision imposed by a judge.
Confidentiality: Mediation is usually a private process, which helps keep sensitive information out of the public record.
Preservation of Relationships: Particularly when children are involved, mediation fosters a cooperative environment, helping parents maintain a healthier relationship and communicate better as co-parents.
Less Intimidating: Mediation is less formal than court proceedings, making it a more comfortable and less stressful environment for the parties involved.

I offer very competitive rates for mediation services and can guide you through the process step-by-step. Contact me to learn more about how mediation can help you achieve a fair and amicable resolution.

Family Law Services

At Hawkesbury Legal, we provide legal counsel on a range of general family law and mediation matters, including the following:

Property settlements
Spousal maintenance
Childrens matters & parenting plans
Consent Orders or Binding Financial Agreements
Divorce
Prenuptial agreements
Legal representation in family court.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about our family law counsel, consult our list of frequently asked questions below, or contact Hawkesbury Legal today!

What is mediation?

Mediation is a process by which an unbiased third party, known as the ‘mediator’, assists separate parties in reaching an acceptable agreement or conclusion. The mediator assists the parties in assessing the options, identifying a solution and coming to an agreeable conclusion.

I am your local family law mediator in Sydney, providing unbiased and compassionate support to couples in reaching an agreement that benefits all parties involved.
Is mediation legally binding?

Typically, mediation is not enforceable by law and relies upon both parties to voluntarily consent to the solution as it is set out in the agreement. However, if one or both parties disagree or dispute the resolution, the situation remains unsolved and may need to proceed to family court.

It is important to note that mediation can be legally binding when it is recorded as either consent orders, financial agreements, or a binding legal agreement.
What are the time limits on property settlement in divorce/separation?

In accordance with The Family Law Act (1975), following a divorce, couples have up to one year to settle their property. If the property is not settled within the required year, then the parties will have to file a claim with the Family Court. In contrast, de facto couples have up to two years to settle their property following separation.

It is recommended that you commence property settlement proceedings as soon as possible to avoid losing your rights. I understand that a divorce or separation is a difficult and overwhelming time for all involved. I endeavour to provide counsel you can rely upon to ensure parties come to an agreeable settlement.
How is separation or divorce property settlement decided?

Property settlement following a separation or divorce is typically not 50/50. I, alongside all family lawyers across Australia, apply the process set out in The Family Law Act (1975). Determining who gets what in a separation or divorce property settlement is less of an equation and is more about determining what is equitable in the eyes of the law.

Factors are considered, such as who the children are living with, the health and future needs of the parties, and whether the parties have the experience or ability to support themselves in the future.