> Separation > Divorce > Custody > Protection

Thinking of separating? Think about the following…

Having been in Family Law for 35+ years, you could say Lawyers 4 Mums Partner Paul Sant has seen it all and then some.

When asked about common mistakes people make, or things that should be avoided, he raised several suggestions that may seem simple, yet in his experience are often overlooked:

  1. Where possible, you should obtain legal advice before separating.
  2. Don’t take advice from non-professionals. One experience is not identical to another – every relationship has many variables. The outcome a friend or family member had cannot be used as the foundation for expectation in your own matter which will have different circumstances.
  3. Be sure to access reasonable funds you may need for immediate expenses related to temporary relocation, as well as near future expenses like legal representation. You should also try to freeze any joint accounts where this is an option.
  4. Before separating and vacating, you should try to identify assets and liabilities owned jointly with the other party or solely by the other party. Try to locate and make copies of important documents about assets and liabilities such as:
    1. Bank statements
    2. Superannuation statements
    3. Wages and income
    4. Mortgage statements.
  5. Avoid at all costs any threats of violence, or actual violence, against a person or property (whether the property is yours or not). Any behaviour that can trigger AVO proceedings will not be helpful in family law proceedings.

If you are thinking of separating from your partner, feel free to call us and schedule a complimentary initial consult over the phone or in our office with our family law team.

Other resources for mums going through separation

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in Australia?

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in Australia?

Article

All too often, frenzied politicians whip the general public into a panic about the supposedly biased treatment of parents under the family law system. But, do mothers have more rights than fathers in Australia?

Read More
Who is a Parent: Part Two – Child Support

Who is a Parent: Part Two – Child Support

Article

How does the Family Law Act in relation to Child Support work where artificial conception or surrogacy has led to the birth of a child?

Read More
Who is a Parent: Part One

Who is a Parent: Part One

Article

Gaps currently exist in Family Law in relation to children who are born from artificial conception where a woman and other intended parent are not married or in a de facto relationship at the time of conception and/or birth.

Read More
March
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2025
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
09:00 AM
09:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
01:00 PM
01:30 PM
02:00 PM
02:30 PM
03:00 PM
03:30 PM
04:00 PM
04:30 PM
March
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2025
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
09:00 AM
09:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
01:00 PM
01:30 PM
02:00 PM
02:30 PM
03:00 PM
03:30 PM
04:00 PM
04:30 PM