Yes, the deadline for issuing a property (or maintenance) application is
12 months for married parties after a Divorce Order has taken effect (except by
leave of the Court or the agreement of the other party). A party to a de facto relationships may apply
for a property (and maintenance Order) only if the Application is made within 2
years after the end of the relationship.
If you are outside these timelines, we recommend you obtain legal
advice.
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Mediation is a process and set of principles designed to manage and resolve disputes between parties. It is an efficient and effective method of dispute resolution that can help to preserve relationships through the intervention of a third party, known as a mediator.
Property Law
Nevett Ford has been conveying Victorian property for more than 150 years.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Can you make a claim for property settlement if your de facto relationship is less than 2 years?
It is possible to make a claim for a
property settlement for de facto couples (including same sex couples) even if
the cohabitation is for less than 2 years.
You would need to have a child of the relationship or have made
“substantial contributions” to any property of the parties. You would also need to demonstrate that if
the Court won’t allow your case to be heard, you would suffer serious
injustice.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
What happens if you break a Parenting Order?
If the Court finds you are guilty of breaking a Parenting
Order (without reasonable excuse) the following penalties may apply:
1.
The original order may be varied.
2.
You may be ordered to attend a post separation
parenting program.
3.
You may be required to enter into a bond.
4.
You may be ordered to pay the other party legal
costs.
5.
You may be ordered to pay compensation for
reasonable expenses lost as a result of the contravention.
6.
You may be required to participate in community
service.
How do I know if my relationship constitutes a 'De Facto Relationship'?
A 'de facto relationship' includes same sex partners and can
exist if a partner is married to someone else or is in another de facto
relationship. The relevant legislation defines partners as being in a de facto
relationship if they are not married or related to each other, and having
regard to all the circumstances of their relationship, living together on a
genuine domestic basis.
Those circumstances may include:
·
the length of the relationship
·
the nature and extent of their common residence
·
whether a sexual relationship exists
·
degree of financial dependence and support
·
ownership, use and acquisition of property
·
degree of mutual commitment to a shared life
·
the care and support of children
·
reputation and public aspects of the
relationship
·
whether the relationship was registered in a
State or Territory.
What does Roll-Over Relief mean with respect to Capital Gains Tax?
Roll-over relief is available where an asset is transferred under property orders or a Financial Agreement:
1. Between spouses or
2. From a trustee or company to a spouse.
1. Between spouses or
2. From a trustee or company to a spouse.
"Roll-over relief" means the deferral of the Capital Gains Tax liability until the transferee (the person retaining the property) eventually disposes of the asset.
If I separate is there a time limit to make a claim for a property settlement?
Yes, the deadline for issuing a property (or maintenance) application is
12 months for married parties after a Divorce Order has taken effect (except by
leave of the Court or the agreement of the other party). A party to a de facto relationship may apply
for a property (and maintenance Order) only if the Application is made within 2
years after the end of the relationship.
If you are outside these timelines, we recommend you obtain legal
advice.
What happens if you are made redundant?
In these uncertain economic times
it’s important to be mindful of the potential impact of a redundancy or a
possible redundancy on a property settlement.
It’s important to fully disclose to your lawyer if you have applied for
a redundancy even if it’s after a separation.
It may be relevant in the property settlement negotiations.
A redundancy payment received after
separation (but before a family law settlement) and applied to a new property
is likely to be “added back” into the matrimonial asset pool, so we recommend
you finalise your property settlement as soon as possible after a separation.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Spousal Maintenance under the Family Law Act
Under the Family Law Act a Court may make such order that it considers “proper” for the provision of maintenance. This means that the Court has a discretion both as to whether maintenance should be ordered and, if so, as to how much should be ordered. It is a discretionary power.
Under the Act, a party to a marriage is liable to maintain another party to the extent that the first party is reasonably able to do so and the second party is unable to support him or herself adequately:
a. Due to having care or control of a child of the marriage under the age of 18;
b. Due to age or physical or mental incapacity for appropriate gainful employment; or
c. For any other adequate reason.
Having regard to a list of factors, including:
1. The age and health of the parties;
2. Whether either party has the care or control of a child of the marriage under the age of 18;
3. Commitments of each party necessary to support him or herself and a child that the party has a duty to maintain;
4. A standard of living that in all the circumstances is reasonable;
5. The extent to which the party whose maintenance is under consideration has contributed to the income earning capacity, property and financial resources of the other party; and
6. The duration of the marriage and the extent to which it has affected the earning capacity of the party whose maintenance is under consideration.
Case law provides that the term “adequately” is not a fixed standard. It is not subsistence level. An applicant is not entitled to live at a level of consideration luxury just because the other party is very wealthy. Where possible, both spouses should continue to live after separation at the level that they previously enjoyed.
The Court would assesses "earning capacity". The applicant needs to provide evidence as to the attempts to find employment. The Court may find that the applicant has earning capacity, but it may find that the applicant’s earning capacity is less than the income received. It would then need to assess whether the applicant has the capacity to support him or herself adequately.
When a Court determines capacity to pay maintenance, it will take into account income, property and financial resources of that party. It may be necessary to show that the income of that party does not exceed that part's reasonable expenses in order to show that there is no capacity to pay maintenance. There is no mathematical formula and the Court's power is discretionary.
Please do not hesitate to contact your Nevett Ford representative with any questions about this article or Family law matters.
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