Parenting

Ensuring Child Safety: Unpacking Unacceptable Risks in Parenting Matters 12.09.23 A recent landmark case before the Full Court has clarified our understanding of “unacceptable risk” in parenting matters. Although the concept of “unacceptable risk” is not new, it has been dealt with to differing degrees by the Court. Now, the Full Court has clarified the idea and the approach to determine whether an “unacceptable risk” is present in parenting matters. This article explores the case's background and implications, showcasing the importance of legal expertise.

What Is Spousal Maintenance? 04.07.23 Are you facing the financial challenges of separation or divorce? Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony to some, can provide crucial support for individuals who are not the primary earners in a relationship. Ramsden Family Lawyers understands the complexities of spousal maintenance and its impact on your daily expenses. Before resorting to court proceedings, seeking an amicable agreement with your ex-partner is always advisable. In this comprehensive article, we explore the eligibility criteria, application process, considerations of the court, time limits, and duration of spousal maintenance.

What Is Family Dispute Resolution? 25.08.22 Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is an affordable, time-efficient, and collaborative process. It involves the resolution of parenting matters through lawyers, collaborative practice, conciliation and/or mediation, often with a child-focused aim in mind. It is a highly recommended method of resolving your dispute, and it is compulsory to attempt for parenting matters prior to engaging the Court. FDR can be pursued either through the public system, Relationships Australia, or through private mediation avenues, such as the Mediation Collective

Presumption of parentage: you are not the father 04.01.23 Recently, a loving father who lost his 20-year-old son in 2019, discovered a devastating lie after the child’s mother sent him a chain of text messages two years after the child’s death. Throughout the child’s life, the father lived with the child’s mother until he was seven, then shared custody of him and contributed to expenses and paid $400 a week in child support until the child turned 18.

What Is The Role Of An ICL In Family Law Proceedings? 27.01.23 Independent Children's Lawyers (ICLs) are appointed by the Family Court and specialise in representing children who face challenges during parental separation. Private Lawyers are taking on ICL responsibilities understand that their compensation does not correlate with the extensive work required. Nonetheless, they proceed with their duties, aiming to propose solutions to the Court that can positively impact the children involved. Reece Ramsden, Partner and Director, sheds light on the crucial yet inadequately funded nature of this role.

Current LGBT Family Laws In NSW - What Are They? 08.03.23 New South Wales has been the forepart of LGBT rights in Australia, with significant progress made over recent years in recognising and protecting the rights of LGBT families. This progress has been driven by the tireless efforts of various advocacy groups and individuals who have lobbied for legislative reforms to ensure equality and fairness for all. However, despite this progress, the LGBT community in NSW still faces discrimination and inequality in various forms.

Ramsden Family Lawyers Weigh In On The Pros and Cons Of Proposed Family Law Reforms 14.04.23 The Albanese government's proposed changes to the Family Law Act seek to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children in custody disputes. However, the announcement has sparked a heated debate among legal professionals and experts, with some expressing concern over the potential impact of the reforms. As a leading law firm specialising in family law matters, the team at Ramsden Family Law have carefully examined the proposed legislative reforms to the Family Law Act. Our legal experts have evaluated the proposed changes, potential pros and cons and provided an analysis of their implications.

Time Limits in Family Law - How Long Do I Have To Pursue My Matter In Court? 15.07.22 Divorce, property settlement, and spousal maintenance proceedings are all accompanied by Court regulated time limits and constraints and differ depending on whether you are party to a marriage or de facto relationship. There are constrained circumstances to which a party may grant leave from the Court to pursue an action outside of the prescribed time limit. The Court will consider if the party has a genuine reason for applying to the Court outside of these restraints, including the hardship that may be incurred if that party is prevented from applying, and any disadvantage to the other party. If you decide to file an application or commence proceedings, it is important you are aware of the various restrictions.

How does the Court deal with parenting disputes about vaccinating children with the COVID-19 vaccine? 23.05.22 COVID-19 vaccination is a significant area of contention in the current climate of the pandemic. Decisions regarding the vaccination of your child may be affected by parenting disputes and discrepancies in opinion surrounding the COVI-19 vaccine. The Court will often align their decision with current public policy and health advice and the expert opinion of medical professionals. At this point in time, the current public health regime and opinion of medical professionals supports the vaccination of your child and considers it to be in their best interests.

Adult Adoption In NSW 07.04.22 Adoption is not only possible for children and young persons under the age of 18. Adult adoption is available for those persons over the age of 18 years who are interested in being adopted, either by a stepparent or other carer, to formalise your familial relationship. The Ramsden Family Law team explores the laws and regulations around adult adoption and the steps involved in filing an adult adoption application in the Supreme Court of NSW.

Who Gets The Embryos After Separation? 16.03.22 Essentially, any agreements made regarding the embryos must have confirmed consent by the parties, both when the agreement is initially made, and renewed after the time of the separation

Same-Sex Parents Who Separate: Who Gets The Children 28.09.21 Earlier this year, Partner Reece Ramsden and Associate Sophie Goossens were invited to shed light on the prominent topic ‘Same-sex Parents who Separate: Who gets the children', with the notable BenchTV.