Divorce can be an emotionally tiring process. Having a divorce lawyer in your corner provides you with an objective legal voice to handle the divorce proceedings on your behalf. WGC lawyers’ team of divorce lawyers Cairns boast a wealth of experience in the field of family law, capable of representing you in court to reach favourable settlements in your divorce.
Eligibility for Divorce
In Australia, the sole ground for divorce is “an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, evidenced by a twelve-month separation immediately preceding the date of the filing of an application for divorce”. In addition, applicants for divorce must be Australian citizens, living in Australia or residents of Australia for at least 1 year prior to the filing of divorce. If the couple seeking divorce has been married for less than 2 years, it is mandatory to attend counselling to discuss potential reconciliation. During these tough times, it’s important to hire a Cairns law firm that has experience handling family law cases.
Applying for Divorce
In Australia, the application process for divorce may be undertaken by a sole partner to apply (sole applicant) or for the couple to apply for the divorce together (joint application). Irrespective of if the application is made by only one party or by both, the divorce may take several months to process. The courts typically expect any dependants under the age of 18 to be taken care of before a divorce can be granted. Hiring a family lawyer in Cairns ensures that the divorce proceedings are carried out quickly and smoothly, minimising interruptions.
What Happens to the Children?
During divorce, the two parents should discuss their plan for raising their children moving forward. This includes how they will live, how they will be supported financially and how they will undertake their schooling. If both parties are in agreement, this agreement can be formalised with a Parenting plan and a child support agreement, which outlines the costs of raising a child.
If you’re looking for a divorce lawyer in Cairns, look no further than WGC Lawyers! Contact us today on 07 4046 1111 for a family lawyer Cairns-wide.