Separation and Divorce Support » Family Law

Family Law – Recent Changes to Intervention Orders In Victoria

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:46:38 +0000

Date: August 17, 2009
Author(s):Serena Ko B.A., LL.B.
Recent changes to the law regarding intervention orders in Victoria have resulted in an increase in the categories of affected persons that may be able to apply for protection from family violence or stalking, and the grounds upon which such protection may be sought.

Family Law – De Facto Spousal Maintenance

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:40:00 +0000

Date: August 17, 2009
Author(s):Serena Ko B.A., LL.B.
A recent development in de facto family law has seen an expansion of the eligibility of parties in Australia to spousal maintenance. Pursuant to the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and other measures) Act 2008 (Cth), a person of a de facto relationship that separated on or from 1 March 2009 may be entitled to receive spousal maintenance.

Family Law – De Facto Spousal Maintenance

Panic and Anxiety Disorders Treatment

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:26:17 +0000

Is Any Of This Experience Familiar To You?

* Maybe you found yourself in the hospital’s ER because you thought you were having a heart attack only to be told later it was anxiety?
* Do you ever fear you might stop breathing because your chest feels tight and your breathing erratic?
* When you drive do you fear the idea of getting stuck in traffic, on a bridge or at red lights?
* Do you ever feel nervous and afraid you might lose control or go insane?
* Have you struggled with anxious thoughts that will not stop?
* Do you ever feel uncomfortable in enclosed spaces such as supermarkets, cinemas, public transport or even sitting at the hair dressers?
* Are you nervous and on edge in normal situations that never bothered you before?

Do You Feel Any Of The Following Bodily Sensations?

* Dizzy spells leading to panic
* Tightness in throat and chest- shortness of breath
* Racing heart with tingle sensations
* Hot flushes followed by waves of anxiety
* Obsessive worries and unwanted thoughts
* Not feeling connected to what is going on around you
* Overwhelming fear that the anxiety will push you over the edge?

These and other similar uncomfortable sensations are all too common but the truth is you do not have to ever suffer from another panic attack or anxiety attack again

I’ll explain why

Most of the people I deal with have been struggling with anxiety disorders for many years and have usually exhausted themselves looking for a solution in every book, course, or treatment program out there. By the time they get to me, they are very skeptical (as is natural) and have little faith in ever getting rid of their condition.

Interested? Want more information? Please click here

5 Amazing and Affordable Activties for Xmas

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:52:40 +0000

by Ellie Evergreen

This winter, many parents want to make the holidays special for their children but face a limited or reduced income. So what can a parent do to still make the holidays a wonderful time without having to spend beyond their means? One way is to look for more activities to do together as a family. This can not only cut on the cost of presents but allow the family to enjoy precious family time. In this day and age it seems too often that we have thought we could purchase Christmas cheer. However it comes from sharing good times with loved ones. Here are some simple and affordable activities you can do together as a family.

Decorating the tree is a common family activity at Christmas time. However many people tend to buy new ornaments every years. A good thing to do this year is make your ornaments. With a bit of practice and know how your family can make homemade creations that not only look great but are also inexpensive to make. This is also a great opportunity for your family to spend quality time and make some great holiday memories. Also ornaments can become family heirlooms with important memories linked to significant events. This will make your ornaments all the more special.

Making holiday snacks is another cost effective and fun tradition. Rather than buying a lot of the traditional holiday treats this year, you can try making them. It can be something as simple as making smores and hot cocoa to making more famous holiday desserts and foods. The challenge of learning and mastering each dish will make cooking the foods a family event. Try to get the entire family involved assigning tasks that each family member can do. There are also the traditional snacks for Santa that you will leave for him when he comes to visit such as milk and cookies. You can even have the kids decorate them.

A great activity to do is have a family game night. One of things that often happens during the year is that families are often kept apart by school, work, and after school activities. This makes it rare to just have a time when everyone comes together to have fun. A game night is great because most likely your family has a couple of board games that it hasnâ€™t played in a while. This already cuts down on the cost of entertainment. Even if you have to buy a game the cost should be within your budget.

Purchase a gift the entire family can use. If you are still thinking about spending serious money, but want to get maximum value, buying something the entire family can use is a wise investment. It can be a trampoline or a foosball table. Whatever item it is, if picked carefully it can actually help you save money. The total cost of buying that one item will likely be less than buying everyone the same amount of presents as last year.

Finally you can do something special for your younger children helping them to believe in Santa. You can have them receive a Santa Letter on Christmas Day. The letter will have information on what they wanted for Christmas and how good they were this year.

About the Author

Create magic in your child’s eyes with our letters from Santa & Santa calls. EZSantaLetters.com offers fully personalized Santa letters and 15 pre-written Santa letters. All letters are postmarked from the North Pole and will definitely put a smile on your child’s face.

Guideline for Family Law Court and Children Contact Services

admin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:45:37 +0000

They provide safe, neutral and child-focused venues for facilitated visits and changeovers to occur between children and their parents and other significant persons in the child’s life (for convenience in this guideline referred to as ‘parents’). They assist parents who are experiencing conflict to manage these arrangements.

Children’s Contact Services work with families to encourage positive interaction between children and their parents, and to support the strengthening of these relationships. Over time, and where possible, parents are encouraged to move to self-management of their arrangements for spending time with the child.

Divorce and the Family Home

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:28:02 +0000

by Jeremiah Denslow

Once upon a time when people first got married, they felt they had the world by the tail and that nothing would quench their love. Fast forward years later and we see a family with two kids, a large home and one parent working while the other stays home to care for the kids. They did well in the years prior to the recession, well enough to even have a home in an upscale part of town and send their children to a pricey private school.

Then the recession hit and the breadwinner got demoted to another position in the company that paid a lot less. It was that or no job at all. The financial strain of trying to keep up with all their debts and obligations began to take its toll. Both of them felt if they only had more money, things would be different, even easier. The breadwinner began to resent the partner who stayed home for not contributing financially to the household. The partner at home took great exception to the breadwinner taking the lower paying job, despite the fact it seemed like a smart move at the time.

Dissention began to foment in the house and before they knew it, thoughts of divorce and talking to a Dayton divorce lawyer were spiraling through their heads. So much for the concept of love being able to conquer all. Unfortunately, love does not pay the mortgage or the kids’ schooling. As financial pressure mounts, love tends to fly out the door. In this dreadful economy pulling the pin on a marriage is something that needs to be thought about long and hard before actually doing it. Nowadays, the very idea of having to pay child support and maintenance and anything else in addition as awarded by the courts is a chilling thought for the person potentially facing those payments.

Many people are now opting for counseling and trying their best to make things work. It’s far less expensive to go the mediation route. If the counseling doesn’t work, and in some instances, things are just too far gone to make any difference, a Dayton divorce lawyer is the only other option. It would, of course, be nice if the partners agreed on all the terms of a property division, custody issues, support and visitation rights. However, in most cases, this is nothing but a pipe dream with the couple sparring constantly. If you’re facing a situation like this, consult with a highly skilled Dayton divorce lawyer who will tell you upfront what your rights are and make sure you understand what is needed to make sure there is an equitable split of your assets. Equitable splits are the stuff nightmares are made of and trying to figure out such things like how to divide the family home makes things exceedingly difficult.

A few years back you could sell the house and split the profits or buy your former partner out. With the economy the way it is now, that isn’t possible and in fact, foreclosure is more of an issue than being able to equitably divide the property. Another burning issue is the inability to pay to keep two separate households and pay support of some kind. Those living from payday to payday know full well the kind of struggle that entails. For these and other reasons, many couples are opting to stick it out in their marriage and see what happens later. Marry once; think twice about divorce in the 21st century in the middle of a recession.

About the Author

Jeremiah Denslow is a Dayton Divorce Lawyer in Dayton Ohio with Denslow Law Firm. The firm specializes in family law. Jeremiah also practices Dayton criminal defense. To learn more, visit Denslowlaw.com.

Mean-spirited dads paying as little as $6.80 a week in child support

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:22:34 +0000

VICTORIA’S wealthiest suburbs are home to mean-spirited dads paying as little as $6.80 a week in child support.

There are at least 14 in Toorak, the richest suburb in Victoria with an average annual income of more than $90,000.

The token payment is the minimum required by the Child Support Agency and applies to anyone earning up to $18,800 a year.

But rich dads with clever accountants are manipulating their income to shirk their parental responsibilities.

In our top 10 richest suburbs there are at least 136 non-custodial parents – mostly men – paying the paltry sum.

They include 33 South Yarra residents, 21 from Brighton, 22 in Kew and 14 in Armadale.

Single mums’ advocate Dr Elspeth McInnes said running a business at a loss while drawing cash, was the most common method used by those who wanted to pay less.

Trusts and negative gearing of property are also used.

“The easiest avoidance is at the top end of town, usually through business structures,” Dr McInnes said.

“They can set up their income streams so they look poor on paper. And nobody really has the resources to go and hunt them down.”

Others pay a bit more, but not nearly enough.

Petra, 45, said the father of her 12-year-old son paid $222 a month after declaring a $39,000 income last year.

Yet he was a senior executive working in Hong Kong for a major Australian-based investment bank.

“It doesn’t go far,” she said. “I’m having to consider what to cut out next. My son’s in his footy final next week. But this is probably his last season.

“These are the sorts of things we’re going to have to cut.”

Human Services Minister Chris Bowen said most separated parents did the right thing. “Last financial year, over $2.8 billion in child support was transferred between parents. That is a very good outcome for Australian children,” he said.

“However, child support debt is still too high and there should be little sympathy for those parents who refuse to do the right thing by their children.”

Across Victoria, more than 26,500 separated parents have been put on the minimum CSA rate. Most are on Centrelink benefits.

Shared Parenting Council spokesman Wayne Butler said those who rorted the system were in the minority.

“There are some who manipulate income through self-employment, but there are not many. If you’re a PAYE taxpayer it’s almost impossible to manipulate,” he said.

Rich dads leave their kids in the lurch | Herald Sun

Minnesota Family Law

admin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:39:06 +0000

Minnesota Family Law by George Wellington

It’s important to know what your options are in a divorce action before making any decisions. Laws governing family matters like divorce, custody, child support, mediation, property and spousal support vary from state to state. A Minnesota family practice lawyer can advise you about Minnesota family law and help you to make an informed and intelligent decision. Minnesota family practice lawyers can also advise and assist you with issues related to paternity, adoption, child and spousal protection, helping you to understand how these matters are impacted by Minnesota family law.

DECIDING WHAT TO DO

Divorce can be a very emotional matter. Both partners may be upset and disappointed. The temptation to blame can be overwhelming, and if children are involved, the situation is even more confusing. Well-meaning friends and family may make matters worse by taking sides. If you are wondering whether divorce is the right choice for you, it’s vital to seek experienced and supportive legal counsel before taking action.

LEARNING WHAT YOUR OPTIONS ARE

A Minnesota family lawyer can help you sort out issues related to child custody and support. The best interests of the children, parental access and rights, and state guidelines for child support are all discussed within the context of Minnesota family law, helping you to understand what would happen with the children were divorce to occur.

Minnesota family law governing property division and spousal support, along with equitable division of joint holdings and alimony payments are all examined. There may be special circumstances related to hardship, disability, health or retirement to consider. Duration of spousal support and cost of living adjustments are all taken into consideration so you know exactly where you stand financially.

BENEFITS OF CONSULTING A MINNESOTA FAMILY LAWYER

The possibility of divorce can create feelings of guilt and fear leading to rash and impulsive actions. The objective and impartial support of a Minnesota family practice lawyer can help you put things in perspective and make informed and sensible decisions about how to proceed.

Minnesota family practice lawyers can also help separating and divorcing couples through divorce mediation. Especially when children are involved, a mediated divorce settlement, jointly developed by both parties, is more likely to be honored than a court-ordered settlement. Decision-making processes learned in mediation can also help parents to make joint choices for the children even after the divorce is final.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Whether you are just considering divorce or have already decided to proceed, a Minnesota family lawyer can help you. You owe it to yourself and your family to consult with a family practice lawyer before starting an action. A consultation is the only way to be certain about what your options are and about what is likely to happen as a result of a divorce action.

You can consult with a family practice lawyer free of charge and in complete confidentiality. After your consultation, you will be in a much better position to do the next right thing for yourself and your family. A family practice lawyer can be a supportive and experienced ally working on your behalf to protect your rights, and to guide you successfully through one of life’s most difficult challenges.

The information you obtain from this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

About the Author

A family lawyer in Rochester MN at a local law firm can provide an experienced Minnesota attorney that can help.

Understanding Divorce Law and Family Law

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:11:24 +0000

Understanding Divorce Law and Family Law by Gen Wright

Divorce and family law comes in when a married couple decides to go separate ways. Usually, when a couple is undergoing divorce, disputes surface. These disputes are related to the family. They can be custody issues, child support issues, child visitation issues, and so on. The purpose of having these rules and regulations in place is not to inconvenience anyone. Instead, they are in place to help the entire family move through this difficult phase in a more amicable manner.

The best approach to adopt, is to seek the advice of a divorce lawyer. Usually, the first consultation is free, and there are no fees involved. If, during the first consultation, it is determined that hiring a divorce lawyer is the best option to take for the best interests of everyone, then you may go ahead and engage the services of a professional lawyer.

A lawyer practicing family law will be able to advise you on the options available. Not everything has to be settle by the court. There are alternative measures that can be taken to solve some of the problems at hand. Sometimes, your lawyer may even advise you that going to a court of law should be your last line of defense. This is because if the problem has to be presented before a court, there can only be one winner. Someone’s pride will be hurt in the process. It is mostly a win-lose situation.

However, if the issues can be settled with alternative solutions, everyone is happy. In other words, it is more likely to achieve a win-win with alternative measures.

When you take the time to ponder over your divorce issues, you will come to realize that the advice from your divorce lawyer has deep implications. These implications involve your relationships with other members of your family, especially your children. Relationships between parent and child cannot be bought with money. And they are perhaps the most important issue surrounding a divorce. Hence, it is not uncommon to see the majority of time and resources spent on custody issues.

When it comes to child custody, professional lawyers understand that the objective is obtain fair custody. They will provide the necessary information to help make your decisions easier.

When you have firm up your mind, you may then engage your lawyer’s help to execute your plans. For different states, different legal documents may be required. The primary role of your lawyer is to help prepare these documents to initiate your family law matters. If there are other options that you are not aware of, your lawyer will be able to advise you accordingly so that you don’t make the wrong decisions. For example, if you are the father of a child, you have to take action to establish the relationship with the child. Otherwise, parental interest may be lost entirely.

Determine your own needs and communicate them to the divorce lawyer during the first consultation. This will help them come up with a proper legal plan to settle the matters at hand.

About the Author

Contact Orlando Divorce Lawyer – Family law Orlando Florida

Using Arizona Mediation Can Make Your Divorce Go Smoothly

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:10:27 +0000

So many Americans are getting divorced or are on the verge of divorce. It’s important to know about your options. For one thing, if you are getting a divorce and you want to work out the financial and…

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