Solicitor, Family Lawyer, Immigration lawyer
We can assist with all family law matters, including divorce and separation, complex property settlements, binding financial agreements, parenting plans and orders, and more. Our services are highly personalised to ensure that we can obtain results that suit your family’s needs. With expert family law advice and years of experience in divorce mediation, our family family law canterbury lawyers can help smooth things over. If you are in need family violence services, please find community legal centres that can help you with family violence issues here.
Services Australia considers each parent’s income, their combined income, the amount of care each parent provides, and the child’s age to calculate the cost of raising the child. Changes in either parent’s financial situation can also affect the support amount. Child support covers financial assistance for raising children under 18, while child maintenance applies to adult children over 18.
He has held roles including clinical services coordinator and supervising consultant and is a member of the FDRS Child Consultant Panel. Carmel is a family lawyer and mediator with experience across government-funded agencies, private practice, and academia, including as a lecturer at Deakin University. Natasha is a psychologist, lawyer, accredited mediator, and group facilitator who works in family services and dispute resolution, while also training and supervising professionals. She has been a member of the FDRS Child Consultant Panel and a member of the FDRS Chairperson panel since 2022.
It will be our aim to work with you to reach an agreement without recourse to Court proceedings. Where we assist you in reaching an agreement, our practitioners will ensure the settlement is documented. If issuing Court proceedings is to your strategic advantage or necessary in all the circumstances, we will lean on our years of experience and professional contacts to achieve the best possible outcome. Welcome to our Family Law Services page, where we offer expert legal guidance and support to help you navigate the complexities of family matters with confidence and peace of mind.
Professional, knowledgeable and willing to listen.Nadia and her entire team were very helpful in navigating a complicated situation.Would unreservedly recommend the firm and especially Nadia. Our Veterans' Legal Service helps current and former veterans with legal problems related to ADF members. This report summarises the impact of the CLSP in the 2024–25 financial year, as recorded in CLCs’ service data and progress reports. The division of assets, liabilities and superannuation entitlements becomes an important consideration when separating from a former partner.
A court-based Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) conference consists of two parts, though the overall time frame is not fixed. Our practitioners are committed to guiding you through this challenging time with compassion and professionalism, helping you achieve stability and security for your family. If a parent or carer disagrees with a Services Australia decision, they usually need to lodge an objection with Services Australia—though some matters may go directly to the Court. If you're unsure which path to take, Canterbury Family Law can guide you through your legal rights and responsibilities.
To get legal aid your asset pool must be below a certain amount (not including superannuation) or your claim below a certain amount. In appropriate cases, after speaking with parents or carers, we will arrange for young people to speak with a qualified child specialist before a conference takes place. They then write a confidential written report about the children’s experiences. This report is shared with parents and their lawyers, and used in the dispute resolution session.
If a parent cares for the child less than their income share, they will usually pay child support. If they care for the child more than their income share, they may receive support. Only the parents’ incomes are considered—income from non-parent carers is not included. Depending on your situation, you might be considered separated under one roof - this means you and your spouse have separated but still live in the same home. If you wish to file for divorce while still living together, an affidavit is also required. An affidavit is a written statement created by a party or witness to provide evidence to the court, demonstrating a change in the marriage and explaining the reasons for the couple's separation.
Both stages are privileged, meaning that statements made cannot be used in court, except in certain cases (e.g., suspected child abuse or threats of harm). In Part 2, both parties and their legal representatives meet with the Registrar, who will outline the process and begin substantive negotiations. You can also find a lawyer near you using the “Find a Lawyer” search tool on the New Zealand Law Society website. If you need a lawyer, be aware that they specialise in different areas of law. Some lawyers will charge for an initial meeting so ask about their charges first. In order to obtain a grant of Legal Aid an individual must meet a means test and other criteria.