Family Law

Separation and divorce can be ugly, devastating and expensive. But there's a movement of Canberra lawyers and professionals who are out to make the point that it doesn't have to be that way. The Kind Lawyers isn’t a law firm. It's a multidisciplinary movement of lawyers, mediators, therapists and academics who simply want to change the conversation about divorce in...

We often go into relationships with all the best intentions in mind and with no expectation we will be left with a life-changing debt. Sexually transmitted debt (STD) occurs when one partner takes responsibility, wholly or partly, for the debts of their partner, either unknowingly or unwillingly. STD is emerging as a big issue and, in some cases, causing a...

Haydn Marsh arrived at Snedden Hall & Gallop with exceptional experience when he re-established the specialist field of family law to the prominent Canberra practice. Not too long before Haydn’s entry into the legal industry, Snedden Hall & Gallop had decided, for various reasons, to cease its family law practice. By the time he arrived at the firm, a number...

Lawyers have been urged to be cautious when using a new temporary law that allows the remote or virtual witnessing of legal documents such as wills and power of attorney in the current pandemic environment. The new law makes it more convenient to progress legal matters when clients are averse to face-to-face meetings due to fears of contracting COVID-19 but...

Vulnerable Canberrans with unfinished legal or financial business who are now finding themselves unable to leave home due to COVID-19 do not need to hit the pause button. There is help at hand says Julia Bridgewater, the new head of the wills and estates team at Snedden Hall & Gallop. "There are many people who have been caught mid-transaction by...

Canberra lawyers are urging young people to consider making a will to avoid putting their family under added stress in the event of an unexpected death. Meyer Vandenberg Associate Lawyer Eleanor Heffernan says most people understandably do not want to think about death or wills, so they delay making a will until they buy property or have children, but Ms...

Tanya Herbertson has joined Meyer Vandenberg Lawyers as their newest partner, bringing a team of lawyers with extensive experience in wills and estates with her. Tanya and her team will expand Meyer Vandenberg’s existing wills and estates team to offer expertise in estate planning, trusts, enduring power of attorney, elder law and estate litigation. Tanya began her career as a...

Searching for a lawyer is a delicate process because legal matters are often especially personal. You want to know that the law firm and lawyer you choose will take the time to understand your situation, and has the expertise to help you. For an individual or someone with a small business, that's not necessarily an easy task given the complexities...

Nearly every Australian adult now carries a smartphone in their pocket. And while we use our phones for everything from ordering dinner, to hailing a ride or paying bills, few people are aware of the technology available to separating couples. DDCS Lawyers partner Alison Osmand says new technology like apps can help former spouses navigate the financial and shared care...

Tanya Nadin fell into law in a roundabout way but is glad she did. A friend’s father was a Senior Counsel barrister in Sydney. After leaving school, Tanya worked for him while studying law. She says the exposure to high-calibre legal minds was fantastic and often inspiring. “I’ve never looked back,” says Tanya, a family law specialist and Partner of...

Arising from accidents which cause serious injury, legal decisions can be confronting and as life-changing as the initial trauma. But there are two sides to every story. Kate and Bill are part of the Litigation group at Bradley Allen Love Lawyers, Canberra and specialise in insurance and personal injury litigation. Their high-quality legal advice and representations to clients comes from...

Let’s be honest, a prenuptial agreement can take the gloss off a romantic relationship. Yet an experienced family law specialist in Canberra, who has been writing such agreements for more than 18 years, believes strongly in them for minimising risks and giving couples peace of mind. DDCS Lawyers partner Phillip Davey says while they’re generally known as a ‘pre-nup’, a...

At some stage, we all come to the realisation we are not getting any younger and must begin planning for our future. So, when the inevitable events beyond our control arrive, the key to peace of mind is not only having our affairs sorted out, but a plan in place, and a guide for the rest of our lives. Phillip...