All Articles From Joanne Cliff
New Era in Family Law
The (Commonwealth) Family Court of Australia and the accompanying Family Law Act commenced in 1975. At that time, it was heralded as modernising family law with a no-fault system for divorce after…
10 Ways to Kick Start Your Separation
Preliminary Going through a separation is a difficult time for most people. However, whether you choose to end your relationship or the decision is made by your partner, there are several things you…
Family Law Court Initiatives
It is a well recognised fact, amongst lawyers and the community, that family law claims can be expensive and take a long time to resolve. However, there are two recent Court initiatives which are…
The Long Reach of Spousal Maintenance
It is not often that a particular Family Law case receives media attention, but that happened last year with the case of Blevins and Blevins. It concerned a claim for spousal maintenance made 23…
COVID-19: Family Law and the Courts
Both the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are adapting to the restrictions required to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Courts are still open and operating; however, the way…
Separated but Living Under the One Roof: Together but Apart
You might be surprised that figures from the Department of Human Services in March 2017 show that some 38,629 Australians are registered with Centrelink under a code “separated under the one roof”.…
Offloading Tax Liabilities Between Spouses
High Court decision of the Commissioner of Taxation v Tomaras
Consent Orders
If you and your former partner have reached an agreement on parenting and/or property division, then there is a process available where you can obtain consent Court orders without ever having to go…
Binding Financial Agreements Following the High Court Decision of Thorne V Kennedy
Dead and Buried?
Broadening the CGT Relief for Separating Couples
Beware the tax man!
DWFT Report
The DWFT Report is a comprehensive publication containing news, commentary and analysis of significant contemporary legal issues impacting the Australian business community.
