Byron Bay Family law

Slide Separation is painful for everyone, good advice and support makes the road ahead easier to navigate Specialised, professional instruction across all types of asset protection

Separation and Divorce

What is this about?

Separation and divorce can be a distressing process for everyone concerned. At Byron Bay Family Law & Mediation Specialists, we will assist you to make informed choices at each stage of this difficult time.

We have the specialist knowledge, capacity and experience to guide you through the issues and intricacies arising from relationship breakdown.

How We Can Help

Byron Bay Family Law can assist you in obtaining a divorce by taking care of the preparation and lodgment of your application for divorce and attending the court hearing of the application on your behalf (if necessary).

We can assist you with annulment when applicable, pre-separation and post-divorce planning, and are committed to helping you reach agreement about parenting and financial settlement, as required.

Alternatively, you may prefer to our easy-to-use, fixed fee, online application for divorce service. www.online-divorce.com.au

First Steps

If you are seeking early advice about your options or looking to begin a particular process, book a free initial consultation by calling us or filling in our online form.

We’re happy to arrange whichever time and means (in person, telephone, or online) suits you best for this consultation.

Byron Bay Family Law Services

Byron Bay Family Law Services

Separation and Divorce

  • Pre-separation planning
  • Post-divorce planning
  • Applying for divorce
  • Marriage annulment

Complex Divorce

  • Disputed date of separation
  • Location of spouse not known (substituted service application)
  • Separation under one roof
  • Application for early hearing of divorce hearing (abridgement of time application)
  • Overseas marriage (translation of marriage certificate)

Slide What is this about? If you are seeking early advice about your options or looking to begin a particular process, book a free initial consultation by calling us or filling in our online form.

We’re happy to arrange whichever time and means (in person, telephone, or online) suits you best for this consultation.
First Steps Separation and divorce can be a
distressing process for everyone concerned. At Byron Bay Family Law
and Mediation Specialists, we will assist you to make informed choices at each stage of this difficult time.

We have the specialist knowledge, capacity and experience to guide you through the issues and intricacies arising from relationship breakdowns.
How We Can Help  Byron Bay Family Law can assist you in obtaining a divorce by taking care of the preparation and lodgment of your application for divorce and attending the court hearing of the application on your behalf (if necessary).

We can assist you with annulment when applicable, pre-separation and post-divorce planning, and are committed to helping you reach agreement about parenting and financial settlement, as required.

Alternatively, you may prefer to our easy-to-use, fixed fee, online application for divorce service www.online-divorce.com.au
  • Child Support Agency change of assessment
  • Payments for children and adult children
  • Binding child support agreements
  • International child support
  • Registration and enforcement of overseas child
Mathews
Family Law
Services
  • Applying for Divorce
  • Marriage Annulment
Separation and Divorce
  • Pre-separation planning
  • Post-Divorce Planning

Slide What is this about? If you are seeking early advice about your options or looking to begin a particular process, book a free initial consultation by calling us or filling in our online form.
We’re happy to arrange whichever time and means (in person, telephone, or online) suits you best for this consultation.
First Steps Parenting law covers a diverse and often sensitive range of topics, including; parental responsibility, child’s best interests, same sex parenting, parenting plans, relocation and international parenting issues.
With over 60 years’ combined experience, we understand the importance of giving you options to achieve your parenting goals in a timely manner, while putting your children's best interests first.
How We Can Help  Whatever your family circumstances, Byron Bay Family Law advise and prepare you in all areas of parent and child-related family law issues. We’ll help you reach agreement about parenting arrangements and formalise these with a parenting plan or consent court orders (a written agreement approved by a court).
Alternatively, we can guide you through Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) to negotiate an agreed outcome, without having to go to court. In the event agreements cannot be reached, our experienced litigators will advocate for you and your children in court. Our Parenting Coordination service provides ongoing support with the implementation of complex court orders.
  • Disputed date of separation
  • Location of spouse not known (substituted service application)
  • Application for early hearing of divorce hearing (abridgement
    of time application)
Mathews
Family Law
Services
Separation and divorce can be a
distressing process for everyone
concerned. At Byron Bay Family Law
and Mediation Specialists, we will
assist you to make informed choices
at each stage of this difficult time.
We have the specialist knowledge,
capacity and experience to guide you
through the issues and intricacies
arising from relationship breakdowns.
Byron Bay Family Law can assist you in obtaining a divorce by taking care of the preparation and lodgment of your application for divorce and attending the court hearing of the application on your behalf (if necessary). If you are seeking early advice about your options or looking to begin a particular process, book a free initial consultation by calling us or filling in our online form. We can assist you with annulment when applicable, pre-separation and post-divorce planning, and are committed to helping you reach agreement about parenting and financial settlement, as required. We’re happy to arrange whichever time and means (in person,
telephone, or online) suits you best for this consultation.
Separation and Divorce
  • Applying for divorce
  • Marriage annulment
  • Pre-separation planning
  • Post-divorce planning
  • Separation under one roof
  • Overseas marriage (translation
    of marriage certificate)
Complex Divorce Alternatively, you may prefer to our easy-to-use, fixed fee, online application for divorce service www.online-divorce.com.au

Divorce

The Australian family law is unique in a way that it does not require the divorce applicants to prove the fault of any partner. This is called a no fault divorce. All that is required is that the partners have been separated for a period of 12 months and that there are no chances of their getting back together. It is also not necessary for a joint divorce application to be filed. Australian family law allows either partner or both jointly to file an application for divorce.

The court needs to be certain that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and that there is no hope for reconciliation at all. This requirement is particularly acute if the partners have been married for a period under two years. To ensure that the partners are not getting a divorce in haste, the court requires a certificate signed by a counseling agency to be filed with the divorce papers. This certificate attests that the partners have sought counseling as a means to seek reconciliation before applying for divorce. Similarly, if either spouse cannot be traced, the applicant can pursue the divorce application as long as they demonstrate that they have made efforts to locate the untraceable spouse

Usually, the divorce proceedings do not take much time if there are no minor children involved. However, if the custody of children under 18 is an issue, then the applicants need to demonstrate that they have made adequate arrangements for the care of their children after the divorce. More so, unless a joint application is made by both partners, the applicant needs to be present at the hearing if there are children under 18 involved.

If either partner wishes to oppose an application of divorce filed by the spouse, he or she may file a response to the divorce application or a response to the jurisdiction if they feel that the divorce has not been filed in the right jurisdiction.

www.interventionordersmelbourne.com.au

A Family Violence Intervention Order grants the affected family member experiencing family violence immediate short-term and long-term protection.

We explain what this means and what your options and rights.

www.divorce-online.com.au

For a simple fast and cost effective divorce with minimal fuss we offer a fixed fee standard online divorce application. The fee includes an application for divorce, court filing fees and disbursements.

Unbundling breaks up the family lawyer’s role into a number of agreed limited legal services. This empowers the client to select only those legal services that they require and can limit the lawyer’s involvement to a single issue, court or mediation process including:

  • Advice only
  • Research only
  • Drafting letters or court documents
  • Reviewing client prepared letters and court documents
  • Negotiation coaching in preparation for mediation or settlement meeting
  • Negotiating on behalf of the client
  • Attendance at mediation or court appearance on behalf of the client
  • Drafting settlement agreements
  • Providing independent legal advice for financial agreements
  • This is supported by a written ‘unbundled limited scope engagement /
    ­agreement’ (costs agreement) and fixed fees by agreement.
Family law advice is expensive. To assist you, Byron Bay Family Law offers a free initial telephone consultation:

Fixed Fee Services

Intervention Order 1,950 + GST
Online Application for Divorce 895 + GST
(+disbursements)
Family Dispute Resolution and Property Mediation
Intake Meeting (per hour) 385 + GST
Joint Session  (up to 3 hours) 1,650 + GST
Unbundled Legal and Mediation Service (per hour) 385 + GST

Your initial conference with us is important. It warrants the attention of an accredited family law specialist who will apply their knowledge of the law to the special circumstances of your matter. For this reason we do not offer a ‘free half hour’ service.

Where to Start

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Support, Asset Divison & More

Everything You Need To Know

Your Questions  Answered

Where to Start

Lets Talk

Calculators

Numbers Tool

Resource Hub

Articles

Your Rights

Video/Vlog

Where to Start

Lets Talk

Calculators

Numbers Tool

Resource Hub

Articles

Your Rights

Video/Vlog

Accredited Family Law Specialist, FDRP,
Mediator and Parenting Coordinator

Vanessa Mathews is the founder and managing director of Byron Bay Family Law & Mediation Specialists, and has the rare combination of social work qualifications and experience, combined with nearly 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and mediator; it makes her approach to resolving legal relationship issues both sensible and sensitive.

She is a fully accredited family law specialist, mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner and parenting coordinator with a commerce degree – adding a financially astute aspect to her practice.

Vanessa has extensive experience in complex issues that arise from relationship breakdown, and works in partnership with her clients,
who regularly describe her as empathetic

Vanessa is an active member of the family law profession and
a member of the:

  •  Law Institute of Victoria, Family Law Section
  •  Law Council of Australia, Family Law Section
  •  Resolution Institute
  •  Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators
  • National Mediation Accreditation System
  •  Relationships Australia Family Lawyers Panel
  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
  •  Relationships Australia / Federal Circuit Court ‘Access Resolve’ Mediation Service
  • Relationships Australia ‘Property Mediation’ Service

Vanessa and Byron Bay Family Law & Mediation Specialists
are regularly recognised as a ‘Leading Victorian Family
Lawyer’, ‘Recommended Family Law Mediator’ and a
‘Leading Victorian Family Law Firm’ by Doyle’s Guide to
the Australian Legal Profession.

Get Started With Vanessa

Book A Free Consult

Accredited Family Law Specialist, FDRP,
Mediator and Parenting Coordinator

Vanessa Mathews is the founder and managing director of Byron Bay Family Law & Mediation Specialists, and has the rare combination of social work qualifications and experience, combined with nearly 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and mediator; it makes her approach to resolving legal relationship issues both sensible and sensitive.

She is a fully accredited family law specialist, mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner and parenting coordinator with a commerce degree – adding a financially astute aspect to her practice.

Vanessa has extensive experience in complex issues that arise from relationship breakdown, and works in partnership with her clients,
who regularly describe her as empathetic

Vanessa is an active member of the family law profession and
a member of the:

  •  Law Institute of Victoria, Family Law Section
  •  Law Council of Australia, Family Law Section
  •  Resolution Institute
  •  Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators
  • National Mediation Accreditation System
  •  Relationships Australia Family Lawyers Panel
  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
  •  Relationships Australia / Federal Circuit Court ‘Access Resolve’ Mediation Service
  • Relationships Australia ‘Property Mediation’ Service

Vanessa and Byron Bay Family Law & Mediation Specialists
are regularly recognised as a ‘Leading Victorian Family
Lawyer’, ‘Recommended Family Law Mediator’ and a
‘Leading Victorian Family Law Firm’ by Doyle’s Guide to
the Australian Legal Profession.

Get Started With Vanessa

Book A Free Consult