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Lawyers report an influx in requests for advice about separation and divorce after the summer holidays.

‘Divorce season’: The surge in couples separating after the holidays

Lawyers say they receive a flurry of requests for advice about separation and divorce after couples spend extended periods together over summer.

  • Michaela Whitbourn

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Lawyers are reporting growing demand for advice about child support. Proving paternity is a key battleground.

Warring parents, child support and the fight over DNA

Lawyers are reporting growing demand for advice about child support. Proving paternity is a key battleground.

  • Michaela Whitbourn
“Liking” negative comments on social media could have consequences in a family law fight, legal experts say.

How Instagram posts exposed a $100,000 lie in a family law fight

Social media is increasingly being used as evidence in court rows between separating couples, legal experts reveal.

  • Michaela Whitbourn
Michael Tiyce and his schnauzer Ferdinand.

Who gets the pet – and other big changes for divorcing couples

Separating couples fighting in court over the family pet and the division of assets face a new legal landscape following landmark changes that started this week.

  • Michaela Whitbourn

I don’t hate my son’s killer. But I’ll never forgive him

Ken Marslew’s son, Michael, was only 18 when he was shot dead. Marslew turned the tragedy into positive change - and he’s not alone.

  • Dilvin Yasa
Japanese mother Komae Suzuki’s children have also fallen victim to child abduction.

Australia leads the way against Japanese child abductions

The Australian government has launched an unprecedented intervention in Japan’s domestic politics.

  • Eryk Bagshaw
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When couples split, who gets to keep the pet? Australian family law is out of date, according to some legal experts.

Who keeps the fur baby?

Pets are treated as property under Australian family law, but some legal experts say change is needed, pointing to other countries that consider pet welfare in custody battles.

  • Jewel Topsfield
Family violence will be taken into account in property settlements in legislation to be introduced by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

Family violence victims win in legal overhaul of property disputes

An exposure draft of family law legislation to be released by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Monday will force courts to consider the effects of family and domestic violence when determining property settlements, following years of advocacy by campaigners.

  • Angus Thompson
Starick’s refuges for women and children are in high demand as the WA rental shortage limits housing options.

The change to ‘equal say’ about to transform court custody battles

Courts will now need to consider a history of family violence, abuse and neglect when they determine a child’s best interests in divorce proceedings.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos
Zoe Cooper and her husband decided to do their own financial settlement negotiation to save on the cost of commercial family lawyers.

Middle-class women are doing DIY divorce – but it could cost them

Women who don’t qualify for legal aid but don’t have the cash to pay family lawyers are “falling through the cracks”, accepting do-it-yourself settlements.

  • Wendy Tuohy