Szabo & Associates News & Updates

A number of newspaper reports through 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted that domestic and family violence has increased considerably across Australia. The reasons proposed for this are varied but include added financial stress, enforced isolation creating the conditions under which violence can arise. Stay-at-home measures may also have reduced victims’ options and the ability to seek help.

In family law, the primary carer is a term used to describe the person with whom a child spends most of their time. In parenting matters, the Court may need to assess who the primary carer is for the purpose of making parenting orders.

If both parties to consent orders conspire to suppress the existence of a third party debt in their application for orders, what is likely to be the outcome? 

Short marriage (or de facto relationship) is an expression used, in a family law context, for one which has lasted less than about five years. The Court will determine what property settlement will be “just and equitable” for each of the parties. Outcomes can be quite different compared to a long marriage.

Binding child support agreements are written arrangements between parents or carers about child support payments. They can only be made if the parties have received independent legal advice. Once agreed, they are not lightly altered or set aside. However, COVID-19 has had far-reaching impacts on many aspects of life. A recent case, involving an application to set aside a binding child support agreement, illustrates the potential impact of the current pandemic on such agreements.