We are pleased to announce that Allison Caputo has taken on an expanded leadership role within the firm. Originally joining as Head of Dispute Resolution, Allison has now been appointed as Head of Family Law - in addition to her existing role. In this dual capacity, she will oversee both Mediation and Family Law [...]
Maintenance, particularly spousal maintenance, is financial support paid by one person to their former partner in two circumstances – if that ex-partner cannot financially support themselves, and if the other person has the capacity to financially support them. Anyone looking for maintenance must be able to prove those two elements. What happens if a [...]
A family report is used to provide a court with an independent, expert view of the issues surrounding disputes in parenting arrangements. It’s an important piece of evidence, and is prepared by an independent third party, usually an experienced social worker or psychologist. The report will look at the co-parenting relationship and make recommendations [...]
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 [...]
