Separation & Divorce

By the nature of family law practice, most people will only engage with a solicitor when the other person is being unreasonable, malicious, or taking advantage of good faith interactions. It is very difficult to navigate such situations, especially if your ex-partner has a clinical diagnosis.

We are experienced in dealing with people who appear charming in public, but are controlling and abusive when no one else is present. Whether these traits present in the other side’s client or in our clients, we seek to focus separated couples on what is needed to formalise an agreement and assist both parties to move on with their lives.

If your ex-partner is in fact a narcissist, there are limited ways to make the situation work. We assist our client’s to set boundaries, develop better communication strategies, and make decisions to take control of their own lives and move forward despite such difficulties.

The time of separation can be different for different couples. As a matter of legality, a separation has occurred when both parties consider their relationship to have ended or been suspended. A separation may occur when you are still living under the same roof, or simply occur on a temporary basis while both parties have time to consider their future relationship.

Practically, a separation is understood to have occurred when one person moves out of the family home. Sometimes this can be after a significant argument, learning about an affair, or one person simply deciding that they no longer wish to continue the relationship. We typically advise our clients to consider what they are doing and any preparatory actions to be taken before acting and moving toward a separation.

While most people are not typically required to attend a court hearing, you can only obtain a divorce by filing a divorce application with the family courts. While the process can be daunting, you can have confidence knowing that we have a 100% success rate in applying for and obtaining divorces. It is worth noting that a divorce is separate to a property settlement, parenting arrangements, child support, and spousal maintenance applications.