If you live in Australia and you want to file for divorce, you might think that you can proceed without a lawyer. Many people try to navigate their divorce without legal representation. Unfortunately, attempting to handle your own divorce can expose you to a lot of problems, such as lengthy delays or unfair settlements. That's why you need to hire a family lawyer. A family lawyer can help you navigate the pitfalls that can derail your divorce. If you're not sure how to identify your need for a family lawyer, read the list provided below. If you're dealing with any of the issues described here, it's time to hire a family lawyer for your divorce.
You've Been Living Separately
If you want to get a divorce, the first thing you need to do is officially separate from your spouse. Many people think that they can file for divorce as soon as problems arise in their marriage, but that's not the case. Australian law requires you to live separately for at least twelve months. If you're ready to file for divorce, and you've been living separately from your spouse for the past year, now's the time to hire a family lawyer. They can help you file the right paperwork to get your divorce started.
Your Divorce Will be Contested
If you've been separated for the past year but your spouse won't agree to a divorce, you need to speak to a family lawyer as soon as possible. You might think that you can't proceed until your spouse agrees, but that's not necessarily the case. There are ways to proceed with a contested divorce. However, you will need a family lawyer to help you through the process. If you want to file for a contested divorce, speak to a family lawyer right away. They can help you file for divorce when your spouse refuses to cooperate.
Your Spouse has Hired a Lawyer
If you want to proceed with a divorce, and your spouse has hired a family lawyer, it's time to hire your own legal representation. You might think that your spouse's lawyer will work for both of you, but that's not the case. Without your own legal representation, your rights won't be adequately protected. Unfortunately, that means that your spouse might walk away with a better settlement, which is why you need your own family lawyer. Your family lawyer will help you to avoid problems that could affect your divorce settlement.
For more information, contact a family lawyer near you.
Share9 February 2022
My dad died when I was still pretty young so it's been a big surprise all the stuff I've had to do to sort out his estate. I'm an only child and my folks divorced when I was a baby so most of the work fell to me. He was kind of disorganised and grumpy, but at least he'd spoken to his lawyer and got a proper will drawn up which saved on confusion at a tricky time. If you are a young person dealing with the estate of a deceased parent, this blog is designed to help you navigate the legal processes.