Explaining the Family Law Process

SYDNEY - July 30, 2019 - PRLog -- Family lawyers Watts McCray has detailed the preferences and behaviours of over 10,911 family law clients that has been compiled by family-law-tech partner Settify.  The report reveals that across Australia, the most important thing in clients' minds at the start of their journey is a desire to understand the legal process they are engaging in.

Watts McCray has been using their resource filled website divorce.com.au to help Australians understand the process of separation and divorce. With help from Settify, they are using interactive online tools to give their clients personalised help. Watts McCray offers clients use of Settify's sophisticated online system that uses an interactive process to inform clients about where they stand, how the legal process works, and how their lawyers can assist.

When people separate or divorce, they will usually need assistance with some combination of the following: Obtaining a divorce (if married); Resolving parenting arrangements and dividing property. There may well be other specific issues around child support, spousal maintenance, domestic violence, and others.

The divorce process itself is fairly straightforward. To put it simply the marriage must have broken down irretrievably and the couple must have lived separately and apart for a minimum of twelve months.

A couple can apply for a divorce alone or jointly by filing an Application for Divorce via the Federal Circuit Court of Australia's website, and paying the filing fee, which is currently $865. The Court will schedule a divorce hearing. If the application is made by one individual and there are children under 18, that individual must attend the hearing. Otherwise, there is no obligation to attend.

If the parties can reach agreement, it can be a matter of weeks before this is finalised. Proceeding all the way to a final hearing can take a year or more, which is a major reason to try to reach agreement. Similarly, you can reach an agreement about the division of property via negotiation, mediation, or litigation.

Watts McCray says the relevant factors that should be considered are:

• What assets do you and your partner have?
• What have you each contributed to the relationship, both financially and non-financially?
• What resources do you each need to live at a reasonable standard?
• What is just and equitable in all of the circumstances?

The best way to understand the legal process is to meet with the team of expert family lawyers at Watts McCray. They can be contacted on (02) 9283 5877 or visit d (https://www.divorce.com.au/)ivorce.com.au for more information.