The expert legal team at Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors is committed to resolving your divorce and family law issues. “We are a specialised, multicultural law firm that provides counselling for clients facing family disputes, settling a marriage, or going through a divorce.
At this time of uncertainty, how can the team at F&G help you?
We help people just like you and our expertise and experience has proved to us that avoiding Court and trying to amicably resolve any dispute is the best possible solution.
Our team of experienced family lawyers can give you advice about your legal rights and options available to settle any proceedings at the outset, which includes your most important assets and:
- Your marriage;
- Your children; and
- Your property.
If you wish to make an arrange an appointment, contact us on 8917 8700 and our team will guide you through the process and help you through the difficult stages that you are currently facing.
The team at F&G looks forward to being of assistance to you. We are not only experts in the area, but also an empathetic and caring team who would like to help people just like you.
Our central location in the Sydney CBD allows clients to easily visit our office and attend Court around the city.
Our legal team provides a complimentary consultation, available upon the completion of the form at the end of this page.
We can discuss any or all of these family matters:
- An overview of the legal process in relation to separation and divorce.
- How to adequately prepare for divorce proceedings.
- Specific diversity matters and how the law interprets relationships from different cultures.
- Access arrangements for children.
- Division of property and assets.
- Child support payments.
- Filing a divorce application.
- Writing binding financial agreements.
- Restructuring family assets, estates and wills.
Property
With our extensive experience in dealing with family law matters which require a division of the matrimonial asset pool following a separation and/or divorce, the team at Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors are able to provide you with sensible advice regarding the entitlements that the Court would deem just and equitable in the circumstances, and achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.
No two matters are the same and our solicitors are able to provide advice in relation to the division of assets, appropriate settlement terms, and pragmatic and appropriate courses of action regarding the family home, savings, and superannuation entitlements, as well as asset pools involving complex business structures, companies, trusts and self-managed super-funds.
With our experience, we are also able to ascertain and discover through legal avenues available to us any hidden and/or undisclosed assets, even if located overseas.
Contact us on 02 8999 9808 to obtain no obligation free general advice.
Issues relating to Children
Children’s Living Arrangements:
- We understand the importance of issue resolution regarding children’s accommodations, living arrangements, and opportunities to spend meaningful time with each parent. Our team provides assistance and counselling regarding the Orders that cover all circumstances relating to children and changes to their situations as they grow older.
Child Support:
- Child Support is generally calculated by the Child Support Agency. However, there are often circumstances that require special consideration, and we are able to provide assistance in such cases.
Child Safety and Domestic Violence:
- The safety and welfare of children is paramount in our society as well as in our legal system, and no one deserves to suffer from any form of violence or abuse. If you feel that you or someone you know is physically, financially or emotionally threatening you or your children then you must seek help immediately. Do not hesitate to call us right away. We will support you through the legal process while making sure you and your family is safe.
Relocation:
- If you are the parent with primary care and you wish to move with your child/ren to another town, state or country, it is known as relocation.
- You may be able to reach an agreement for the child/ren to stay with the other parent for longer periods of time in school holidays and/or longer visits during the year. Your former partner may be able to move to where you are hoping to relocate. If you reach an agreement with the other party, it is most advisable to have Consent Orders filed in Court, outlining the agreement.
- In the event, the other parent does not consent to your move with the child/ren, you will need to seek Court’s permission for the relocation.
- Relocation will clearly limit the other parent’s time to live with the child/ren and a court may not give permission. However, if the Court finds adequate reasons to believe that the best interests of the child/ren is with the relocation, then the Court may make Orders for the said relocation and make adequate arrangements for the other parent to spend sufficient/substantial time with the child/ren.
- The onus is on the relocating parent to demonstrate to the Court that the best interest of the child is with the relocation. The court has to ensure that the relocating parent’s rights have been considered while keeping in mind, the paramount consideration being the best interests of the child/ren.
- The following are factors that the court will consider while making such Orders;
- The child/ren’s interests in having a meaningful relationship with both parents;
- Protecting the child/ren from physiological or psychological harm or from being subjected to or exposed to, abuse, neglect or family violence;
- The child/ren’s views;
- The nature of the child/ren’s relationship with the parents, and others such as grandparents;
- Whether the parents are willing and able to facilitate and encourage a relationship between the child/ren and the other parent;
- How the changes are likely to affect the child/ren’s circumstances;
- Maturity, sex, lifestyle and background of the parents and the child/ren; and
- Anything else the court considers is relevant.
- If you wish to negotiate with the other parent with regards to a relocation and have Consent Orders drafted/filed with the Family Court of Australia or if you wish to obtain Court’s permission for relocation with your child/ren, we are here to assist you.
Parental Alienation:
- High conflict situations between parents can impact the children which may cause a child/ren preferring to spend time with one parent over the other, or even outright refusing to spend time and/or contact the other parent.
- This may be due to a result of one parent deliberately alienating the child/ren from the other, where one parent intentionally harms the parent-child relationship with the other parent which results in the child/ren feeling negatively towards the other parent for unjustified or completely false reasons.
- Such manipulation can result in a complete fracture between the parent-child relationship, and needs to be addressed immediately should the circumstances arise.
- Should the other parent be undertaking emotionally manipulative tactics to influence the child/ren, we are able to assist you in understanding these personality traits and provide you with assistance and support, as well as in depth practical legal advice regarding this issue, which unfortunately, occur all too often.
- We also work closely with family therapists and psychologists who have experience and are able to assist in these types of situations.
Divorce
Divorce rates are on the rise and more couples find themselves needing the help of divorce lawyers. Our team of divorce lawyers is experienced in handling sensitive topics that surround a separation, such as child-custody schedules, dividing finances and property disputes. Following your free initial consultation, our legal consultant will understand what is important to you and how best to proceed with your case.
As accredited family law specialists, Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors help clients through every stage of divorce, from legal and financial planning, to the restructuring of wills and assets. It is imperative to protect your legal rights and those of your children, and the visitation rights of grandparents.
Our solicitors come from a diverse range of backgrounds and we offer a multicultural legal perspective and a sympathetic approach to explaining your rights under the law. Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors has experience and expertise to provide expert legal consultation and counsel in relation to same-sex and de facto relationships. Our motto is “People Over Profits” — that means that we’re committed to finding the best solutions for our clients in a timely manner.
When you need an experienced and understanding family divorce lawyer, look no further than the Freedman Gopalan team. We know that divorce is a scary, life-altering event, but don’t be afraid to get in touch with us today. With 90% of our cases settled out of court, we can help you to reach a straightforward understanding during this stressful time.
De Facto Relationships
Recent amendments to the Family Law Act allow for de facto relationships—including same-sex partnerships—to be treated on the same level as legally married couples. Contact our office today for assistance with negotiating disputes and resolving other legal matters that concern you and your domestic partner.