Your children may have long-since left home, but it doesn’t make separation or divorce less traumatic or affecting. In fact, as you get older, the potential financial impact escalates.

The only requirement for a divorce property settlement is ‘irretrievable breakdown’ of the marriage. This is proved by a 12-month separation with no likelihood of reconciliation.

Breaking up or separating is a traumatic and difficult time for any adult. But for couples with children, often the first thought is of the impact it will have on the children.

Many couples separate and can agree on what they wish to happen in relation to a distribution of the asset pool (property settlement) and, if there are children, the arrangements which they wish to put in place for the children’s future.

Prenuptial agreements and binding financial agreements will set out exactly how all or any of the assets, (owned by you at the date of signing the agreement or acquired after signing the agreement), will be divided between you and your partner in the event of breakdown of the marriage or the de facto relationship.

But more stringent definitions mean that couples may unknowingly fall into a relationship — something that can have legal and financial consequences for the unwary.

Same-sex couples have traditionally faced discrimination in legal recognition of their relationships. This significantly affected their financial and parental rights, and the ability to enforce those rights at law.

With over 30 years experience in family law, Aylward Game Solicitors Incorporating James Noble Family Law Brisbane will guide you through to the other side of divorce and family disputes relating to grandparents or other close family members.

Spousal maintenance is a responsibility you or your ex-partner might have to financially support the other person after separation or divorce. In Queensland, de facto partners may have no right to maintenance if they separated before March 1 2009.

The Surrogacy Act 2010 (Qld) became operative on 1 June 2010. This Act regulates surrogacy agreements in Queensland and permits surrogacy arrangements provided they are not for a commercial purpose.

The Family Court does not generally have powers to order child support maintenance for children.

Domestic and family violence involves one person in a relationship using violence or abuse to maintain power and control over the other party in the relationship. It is normally an ongoing pattern of behavior aimed at controlling the other person through fear.

A service to help separating families resolve their family law disputes. The Family Dispute Resolution Service offered by Aylward Game Solicitors Incorporating James Noble Family Law includes family law education, legal information, family counselling, dispute resolution, family conciliation and group work to help couples who are separating to resolve their family law disputes.