From 26 May 2025, coercive control will be officially recognised as a criminal offence in Queensland. This significant legal shift aims to address patterns of abusive behaviour used to dominate or manipulate others, protecting victim-survivors from both physical and psychological harm. Under the new law, it will be illegal for an adult to engage [...]
Superannuation is considered to be an asset for the purposes of family law property settlements and in some cases it might be the only asset left to divide. So what happens then? A few years ago, the court considered a case where a husband and wife were married for 22 years and had two [...]
NOTE (updated in Jul 2025): Recent changes in Family Law legislation have affected the use of the term ‘parental responsibility’ in 2025. For the most up-to-date information, please see this article. You may also continue reading the original article below, which was published on 14 January 2025. It’s almost a new year of school but [...]
As blended families are becoming increasingly common, when partners separate, people often ask if and how contributions that they have made towards their stepchildren during the relationship are considered when determining the division of assets in a matrimonial property settlement. What impact, if any, do such contributions have on the division of assets after [...]
There are various forms of alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) and you may be required to participate in at least one form prior to filing a Court Application. Collaborative practice is a new form of dispute resolution in family law. Collaboratively trained lawyers may agree to a roundtable conference where the parties and their lawyers [...]
While Christmas is for many, a joyous occasion, the holiday season can be a reminder of challenges for families where parents are separated or divorced. It can bring forth emotions of sadness, disappointment and disagreement and unfortunately, children can get caught in the crossfire. One of the most important things is to realise that [...]
Today, we share a significant development within Michael Lynch Family Lawyers – the creation of a new role: Paralegal / Law Graduate. This position is designed specifically for team members who have successfully completed their Law Degree and are working towards the completion of their Practical Legal Training (PLT). This new title reflects our [...]
If you’re meeting with a family law solicitor, it’s highly likely you’re going through a stressful time. Separation, divorce, making child custody arrangements and sorting out a property settlement means you need to speak with an expert in all areas of family law. Research from the United States suggests more and more clients are [...]
At Michael Lynch Family Lawyers, we are committed to providing compassionate, efficient, and tailored legal services for our clients. In line with this commitment, we are proud to introduce our new mediation services, designed to help clients resolve family law matters with reduced conflict and a focus on the well-being of all parties involved. [...]
Sitting down with your children to tell them you’re getting a divorce is one of the hardest conversations you’ll ever have. Be prepared for questions like “who will look after me?” or “where will the cat live?” Knowing where children are at developmentally can help how you might frame the discussion. 0 to 5 [...]
