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The breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship raises questions about how to divide your property and finances so you can each move on with your financial lives. The good news is that finalising a family law property settlement does not necessarily mean you will need to go to Court. In fact, many family law property settlements can be finalised with the assistance of a family lawyer and without protracted and costly court proceedings. Our property settlement lawyers in Canberra can help whether you and your former partner have already agreed on how to divide your property and want your agreement formalised, or if you need somebody to represent your legal interests in negotiating a fair property settlement.
A property settlement involves the division of assets, liabilities, and financial resources between a couple whose relationship has broken down. The couple’s ‘property pool’ is determined, which considers all assets owned individually and jointly, financial resources, and liabilities.
The law follows a formula for dividing property fairly, however, ‘fair’, does not necessarily mean ‘equal’. A property settlement will consider what each person brought into the relationship, what they contributed during the relationship (both financially and non-financially), what they each contributed to the property pool after separation (if any) and their respective future needs.
We’re not just legal professionals – we’re your partners through one of life’s most challenging moments. With years of experience in family law, our team offers a compassionate, client-focused approach that delivers the best possible outcomes. Whether you are navigating separation, divorce, or any family law issue, our goal is to guide you with clarity, minimise conflict, and achieve lasting results.
We believe the legal process should feel supportive, not overwhelming. Our approach is transparent, personalised, and focused on helping you feel informed and empowered from day one.
Our team isn’t just made up of experienced family lawyers — we’re real people who care deeply about helping others through life’s most challenging moments. With a calm, compassionate approach and a strong focus on outcomes, we’re here to guide you with clarity and confidence.
No matter what you’re facing, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Special Counsel
Principal
Got questions? You’re not alone. We’ve answered some of the most common queries clients ask when navigating family law. If you’re still unsure, we’re just a call away.
All new clients are entitled to a free 30-minute consultation.
In your initial appointment, we want to understand your circumstances and what is important for you to achieve both in the short term and the long term. Our solicitors will provide you with guidance and an overview of the relevant laws and how they might apply to your matter.
During the first appointment, our solicitors will provide you with options that can be taken to resolve your matter. Such options may include lawyer based negotiation, mediation, collaborative practice or litigation.
In our first client appointments, we strive to give you direction and options to you so that you leave your first appointment with a sense of clarity and the next step forward and estimated costs.
Time frames can vary greatly depending on the complexity and nature of your matter, and also the process through which you choose to resolve it.
Most dispute resolution processes assist in the resolution of a matter faster than those in the litigation process. Each matter is different and depends on a number of variables that are outside of your control and the control of your solicitor.
Going to court is generally a very lengthy process and can take years for a matter to be resolved. After filing an initiating application, it can take 3-4 months to get a first return date. You may appear before the Court on a number of occasions before getting a Final Hearing which, based on the Canberra Registry, can be up to a 2 year wait. There may be a further delay in receiving a decision from the Judge after a Final Hearing.
During your first appointment, we will provide you with an estimate of our fees for our different services. We endeavour to keep you up to date with our estimate of costs during the course of your matter. We will always be upfront and open about our fees and ensure that you understand the costs involved. Please feel free to contact us to discuss our costs further.
You must be separated from your partner for a period of 12 months before you can apply for a divorce. You can be classified as separated even if you live under the same roof. Usually a verbal acknowledgement of separation between you and your partner is sufficient.
Upon receiving your enquiry, our team will schedule an initial consultation to thoroughly understand your needs, preferences, and the specifics of your situation.
