The High Court has recently ruled that a sperm donor is a father*! *In certain cases. Despite the click bait title, don’t fret! This doesn’t automatically mean that every sperm donation you made that successfully resulted in a child makes you a father. This was a very particular case where the man who donated the…
THE RELATIONSHIP’S OVER, BUT I’M STILL A PARENT Your relationship may have come to an end, but that does not stop you from being a parent. Joint decisions will still need to be made about how to raise your child and about important long-term decisions such as schooling, important health matters, religious upbringing or moving…
The existence of the blended family is becoming more and more common in today’s society. According to a study conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2007, one in ten families contain stepchildren. The more common the blended family becomes in society, the more society recognises the importance of the role that step-parents play…
Parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children. Between 1 July and 30 December 2018, 1,067 individuals have were banned from international travel for failing to meet their child support obligations. That period has seen $15 million in debt recovery, compared to the total of $17.5 million recovered in the 2017-18 financial year….
After separation, it is not as easy as saying goodbye to your ex-partner and moving on to never see them again. Where there are children of the relationship, your life may suddenly seem confined to a certain area. Suddenly, you have to consider your life, including support systems, job prospects and raising children, in a…
There’s a saying in family law – there’s not two, but three certainties in life: divorce, death and taxes. A recent High Court decision however has shed some doubt on the latter when the former is involved (so far as tax responsibility goes). A woman has successfully substituted her bankrupt ex-husband to be liable for…
On 10 December 2018 the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Act 2018 received Royal Assent. It inserts a new section in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) – section 102NA which bans personal cross-examination in family law proceedings that involve allegations of family violence. Instead, the court will require the cross-examination…
The Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act has been passed by both Houses of Parliament. It received royal assent on 25 October 2018, with the majority already in force. There are a few changes affecting the family law arena to take note of. Bankruptcy: The Bankruptcy Act has now been amended and confirms…
As many who have caught the travel bug know, visiting new countries and expanding your horizons is both a fun and educational experience. The benefits to travel are innumerable, it provides invaluable learning opportunities regarding culture, history, food, people and language, and potential engagement with the children’s cultural heritage. After all, who doesn’t want to…
In 2018 the Australian Government announced major reforms to the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Beginning 1 January 2019, these courts are being merged into one – the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCA). The FCFCA will be comprised of two Divisions – the first Division will…
