Employment Workplace Relations

Director, Philip Brewin is a specialist in Workplace Relations and heads our Workplace Relations Work Group.

Corporate and Business Law

The Nevett Ford Corporate and Business Law team has a wealth of experience and expertise and have established quality relationships with clients, including many small and medium business enterprises, across a wide range of industries.

Dispute Resolution ( Litigation)

Nevett Ford has wide experience in all manner of litigation.

Mediation

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

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 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.

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.
"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.