Divorce law experts,
for when it’s time to
go separate ways.
Divorce law experts,
for when it’s time to
go separate ways.
A divorce is a major life event. When you’re navigating your way through a divorce, it can also be an uncertain time. How much money will you have? Where will you live? How will the kids spend their time? What happens to your pets?
Even if you’re on good terms with your ex, the process is often challenging.
But help is here. We are Sydney lawyers with plenty of experience in handling all types of divorces, from straight-forward arrangements to complex financial separations involving valuable business assets and trusts.
Whatever your circumstances, your emotional and financial needs are the top priority for us. With experience, compassion and skill, we’ll look after you. Most importantly, our services are affordable and efficient: top-notch services in the fastest possible time, at the lowest possible cost.
Rated Top 3 Divorce Lawyers Sydney
It’s no accident that we’ve been rated in the Top 3 Best Family Lawyers in Sydney for 8 consecutive years. Why? Because we listen. We communicate clearly. We find solutions. Most importantly, our clients are our top priority.
“Rated top 3 best Family Lawyers in Sydney for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.“
Source: Threebestrated.com.au
Is it worth engaging a divorce lawyer?
While its true you can represent yourself in family law matters, its a huge advantage to instruct a specialist lawyer in this area.
Often, clients are relieved of much stress by simply picking up the phone and making an appointment to see us.
Many of our clients have never used a lawyer. They don’t know what to expect or how to handle the situation. The pressure may mean they’re not acting or thinking as they usually would. Without a divorce lawyer, the result can leave them financially and emotionally worse off.
Many people who don’t use legal representation are unaware of their entitlements. They often settle for less because they feel defeated, unsure, or powerless. It can also have a significant impact on the well being of their children. When you use our services, you’ll receive guidance from an experienced family lawyer. We will take the time to ensure you understand the process and will explore the issues to find the best solution.
Is it worth engaging a divorce lawyer?
While its true you can represent yourself in family law matters, its a huge advantage to instruct a specialist lawyer in this area.
Often, clients are relieved of much stress by simply picking up the phone and making an appointment to see us.
Many of our clients have never used a lawyer. They don’t know what to expect or how to handle the situation. The pressure may mean they’re not acting or thinking as they usually would. Without a divorce lawyer, the result can leave them financially and emotionally worse off.
Many people who don’t use legal representation are unaware of their entitlements. They often settle for less because they feel defeated, unsure, or powerless. It can also have a significant impact on the well being of their children. When you use our services, you’ll receive guidance from an experienced family lawyer. We will take the time to ensure you understand the process and will explore the issues to find the best solution.
Is it worth engaging a divorce lawyer?
While its true you can represent yourself in family law matters, its a huge advantage to instruct a specialist lawyer in this area.
Often, clients are relieved of much stress by simply picking up the phone and making an appointment to see us.
Many of our clients have never used a lawyer. They don’t know what to expect or how to handle the situation. The pressure may mean they’re not acting or thinking as they usually would. Without a divorce lawyer, the result can leave them financially and emotionally worse off.
Many people who don’t use legal representation are unaware of their entitlements. They often settle for less because they feel defeated, unsure, or powerless. It can also have a significant impact on the well being of their children. When you use our services, you’ll receive guidance from an experienced family lawyer. We will take the time to ensure you understand the process and will explore the issues to find the best solution.
Affordable with flexible billing arrangements
Were specialists in every part of the divorce process, right down to our flexible billing arrangements.
Choose the billing model that’s right for you:
- Event billing – Opt to receive a bill whenever an agreed event occurs. We’ll work with you to make a plan of events
- Time interval billing – Based on the time we spend working on your legal issue. Usually, our time interval billing is based on an hourly rate.
- Fixed-rate-fees – We’ll give you an upfront quote that’s the set fee, regardless of the time it takes to complete the task.
Learn more about Divorce in NSW and Australia
Whats the Difference between Separation and Divorce?
Before you can divorce your spouse, Australian family law requires you to have been separated for at least one year.
When you separate from your spouse, you’re still legally married. Separated couples often choose to live apart, but it’s also possible to continue living under the same roof. Proving your separation dates is more complicated when you remain under one roof. We recommend getting legal advice if you’re in this situation.
If you choose to remain separated but not divorce, you can work with our separation lawyers in Sydney to make sure you’re protected. We’ll also help you inform government agencies such as the Child Support Agency and Medicare.
When divorce isn’t planned, the biggest reason to see a separation lawyer is to protect your assets, for example, real estate, bank accounts and investments. You’ll need to ensure you’ve got a new will, power of attorney and have other plans in place.
We’ll talk to you about your options.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
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Sarah Taylor
During 2021 I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Antoinette Marie Gauci from Unified Family Lawyers.
After meeting and consulting with more than one firm I choose to work with Antoinette as I navigated my separation and property settlement. From the initial appointment to final settlement I found Antoinette to be informative, supportive and fair in the advise she offered . I always felt as though my best interests were being highlighted and all of my communications were answered promptly.
Apart from offering exceptional service I also felt that UFA was very reasonably priced.
I would highly recommend working with Unified Family Lawyers.
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KKat T
I’m so thankful for the service provided by Unified Family Lawyers in regards to my family matter. Frances and Tania were exceptional in all areas – from being highly professional, empathetic, approachable and responsive to all my legal needs. Together they obtained the optimal outcome for me and now I have my life in order. I highly recommend.
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Luci-Anne Kreller
Would highly recommend Unified Lawyers. They were highly professional and compassionate, addressing challenging issues and working to resolve them. They were always available to assist and clarified complex processes.
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Jjkravitz26
Alex and Donna are unparalleled professionals and experts in their fields. If you are going through a difficult divorce, it can be really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Alex and Donna have helped make this emotionally stressful time as easy as I think it can be with their down to earth and diligent communication. They take a lot of pride in their work and they are extremely talented and experienced. I genuinely feel like I am in very capable and caring hands. I can’t be any more grateful to them and the whole Unified Family Lawyers team. If you want someone on your side, you need to speak to Alex and Donna!
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Kristenn Wong
Navigating separation and divorce can typically be an emotionally, mentally and financially onerous undertaking.
However, engaging Unified Lawyers and entrusting my matter to the highly capable and consistently responsive team of Alex Bourne and Chris Kissoglou has certainly alleviated my stress, knowing that they were acting in my best interests with their sensible and pragmatic advice. With their skilled assistance, I was able to finalise my parenting plan and property settlement via mediation with a pleasing outcome that obviated the protracted costs of litigation.
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Shreya
Highly recommend Unified Lawyers and a special mention to the lawyer who assisted me with my case – Donna Nguyen. She was thoroughly professional since the day I contacted her, always on top of asking for information, filing the case on time and ensuring communication was top notch every step of the way. Most importantly very upfront around fees structure and was very informative around any hidden fees throughout the process. If every lawyer was like her, there wouldn’t ever be a single person left in doubt around laws and court procedures. She’s an absolute rockstar!
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Geetha De Silva
When looking for a family lawyer, a firm in the city asked for a large sum upfront to start with. With unified lawyers, upfront fee was reasonable and affordable for someone going through a difficult period in their life. I was invoiced monthly as I went, which was helpful. Taylor Reardon was my lawyer and she was very friendly and easy to communicate with. She did a great job guiding me through the process and supporting me through the asset split after separation. I highly recommend unified lawyers for family law matters.
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Jjun luo
Tania and her team have done fantastic job for my case. They take my case from my previous lawyer and get everything organised in a short notice. Thanks for their help, I am able to get my property settlement and other devorce matter solved within 2 months. I highly recommend Tania for family law matters.
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SSheilah Janarthanan
I am so glad finally it came to an end!!. Thank you so much Taylor! you have advised me accordingly as to where I stand in my situation, and resolved my problem amicably. I was advised by many to how solicitors over charging their clients, unfortunately, it was not with Unified Family Lawyers. They are so reasonable in terms of charges and understand their clients well. I did the right choice by engaging the right firm.
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muntashir mamun
I recommend Unified Lawyers for any Family or Domestic violence or issues; I have received excellent consultation when I called them first time in regards to an issue related to my neighbour. They first listen to issue and explained what would be potential ways to deal with the issue from lawful perspective and also send an follow up email to confirmed what was discussed. I was very worried with the particular issue but after talking to them I sensed hope and clear understanding what to do next. I give them a five star.
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LLaura Sereno
I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work, you have been absolutely amazing in helping me to finalise this colossal journey. Your support went above and beyond and I will continue our partnership well into the future. I highly recommend your services and can assure you have chosen the right path with Dominic.
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Dale Anderson
I was supported by Unified Lawyers when I failed to appear at a family court matter. I was very pleased that they were able to get my situation undercontrol. I was informed of the procedure and also given excellent advise that resulted with us getting a balanced control back of my situation. We are only getting things started in my matter.I have every indiation and faith that that I am going to have a positive experience.
Thank you very much Alex and Marryanne your knowledge is awesome. I look forward to the case that Marryanne is going to put forward at my next hearing.
How to apply for a divorce in Sydney and NSW
Before applying for a divorce in Australia, you must satisfy all the requirements. For example:
- You must be legally married
- There is no hope of reconciliation
- You must have been separated for 12 months or more
There are also other requirements concerning children and short-term marriages.
We’ll work out whether you satisfy the requirements and help you with your application.
There may be other issues to be sorted out, for example making arrangements for your children, dividing your assets and sorting out your finances. A court may require you to show you’ve got a financial agreement with your former spouse before it grants your application.
How to apply for a divorce in Sydney and NSW
Before applying for a divorce in Australia, you must satisfy all the requirements. For example:
- You must be legally married
- There is no hope of reconciliation
- You must have been separated for 12 months or more
There are also other requirements concerning children and short-term marriages.
We’ll work out whether you satisfy the requirements and help you with your application.
There may be other issues to be sorted out, for example making arrangements for your children, dividing your assets and sorting out your finances. A court may require you to show you’ve got a financial agreement with your former spouse before it grants your application.
How to apply for a divorce in Sydney and NSW
Before applying for a divorce in Australia, you must satisfy all the requirements. For example:
- You must be legally married
- There is no hope of reconciliation
- You must have been separated for 12 months or more
There are also other requirements concerning children and short-term marriages.
We’ll work out whether you satisfy the requirements and help you with your application.
There may be other issues to be sorted out, for example making arrangements for your children, dividing your assets and sorting out your finances. A court may require you to show you’ve got a financial agreement with your former spouse before it grants your application.
What is spousal maintenance?
Spousal maintenance arises in separation or divorce. One spouse pays money to the other as financial support. It’s also known as spousal support. Spousal maintenance is usually needed when there’s a gap between the earning ability of the spouses. Often, its a court-ordered payment.
Spousal support isn’t an automatic entitlement. A court will consider many factors when deciding whether it’s appropriate, including
- Age
- Ability to work
- Health
- Current income
- Assets and investments
- Whether the marriage affected your ability to work
- A suitable standard of living
- Parenting arrangement
Spousal maintenance usually ends if you marry again.
What is spousal maintenance?
Spousal maintenance arises in separation or divorce. One spouse pays money to the other as financial support. It’s also known as spousal support. Spousal maintenance is usually needed when there’s a gap between the earning ability of the spouses. Often, its a court-ordered payment.
Spousal support isn’t an automatic entitlement. A court will consider many factors when deciding whether it’s appropriate, including
- Age
- Ability to work
- Health
- Current income
- Assets and investments
- Whether the marriage affected your ability to work
- A suitable standard of living
- Parenting arrangement
Spousal maintenance usually ends if you marry again.
What is spousal maintenance?
Spousal maintenance arises in separation or divorce. One spouse pays money to the other as financial support. It’s also known as spousal support. Spousal maintenance is usually needed when there’s a gap between the earning ability of the spouses. Often, its a court-ordered payment.
Spousal support isn’t an automatic entitlement. A court will consider many factors when deciding whether it’s appropriate, including
- Age
- Ability to work
- Health
- Current income
- Assets and investments
- Whether the marriage affected your ability to work
- A suitable standard of living
- Parenting arrangement
Spousal maintenance usually ends if you marry again.
Spousal Maintenance and Binding Financial Agreements
Child support and child custody is often a big part of Family Court divorce proceedings. The Australian government provides many options for dealing with child support cases. Our law firm can help you assess the possibilities and make a decision before the final Court hearing.
When a court orders one spouse to pay maintenance to the other spouse, this becomes a binding financial agreement (BFA). Breaching a BFA is a breach of court orders, often with severe penalties. When you instruct us to act as your lawyers, negotiating a BFA is part of what we do. We represent your best interests and do everything we can to look after you and your loved ones. Learn more about Binding Financial Agreements >>
Parenting issues in Sydney and NSW
Child custody issues are highly sensitive. The best interests of the children are the most important consideration, and its what a court will look at to work out custody and parenting arrangements. The best way to look after your loved ones is to have the help of a specialist child custody lawyer.
Formal and informal child support
arrangements
The Australian government provides many options for child support payments.
We'll help you work out which option best suits you and your children. Options include:
SELF-MANAGED CHILD SUPPORT
If you and your spouse can agree on child support, you don’t have to involve the Government. Instead, you can make a financial agreement for child support and take care of everything privately.
APPLY FOR AN ASSESSMENT
You may wish to apply for a child support assessment. You and your former spouse will both need to provide information about your financial situations, children’s expenses and earnings. The Government will conduct the assessment.
MAKE A LIMITED CHILD SUPPORT AGREEMENT
A limited child support agreement is an agreement between you and your former spouse. it’s based on a Government assessment and it’s active until you both ask for it to finish. Or, one party can end the agreement after three or more years.
MAKE A BINDING CHILD SUPPORT AGREEMENT
In a binding child support agreement, both parties agree to a specific amount of child support without the need for a Government assessment. It’s similar to self-management, but you’ll need to submit paperwork to the Government.
COURT-ORDERED CHILD SUPPORT
Sometimes, a court will order child management payments. For example, payments for an adult child (aged 18 years or more) who remains financially dependent because of disability or further education.
Getting consent orders for children’s issues
If you and your former spouse have agreed on children and parenting issues, you can apply to a court for consent orders
so the agreement is legally enforceable.
The orders are known as consent orders (or parenting orders)simply because both parties consent to the orders being made.
Learn more about Child Custody in Australia
Getting consent orders for children’s issues
If you and your former spouse have agreed on children and parenting issues, you can apply to a court for consent orders
so the agreement is legally enforceable.
The orders are known as consent orders (or parenting orders)simply because both parties consent to the orders being made.
Learn more about Child Custody in Australia
Getting consent orders for children’s issues
If you and your former spouse have agreed on children and parenting issues, you can apply to a court for consent orders
so the agreement is legally enforceable.
The orders are known as consent orders (or parenting orders)simply because both parties consent to the orders being made.
Learn more about Child Custody in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to get a divorce?
- What requirements must I meet before I can get a divorce?
- How much does it cost to get a divorce?
- Who pays for a divorce?
- Do I need proof of divorce?
- Does divorce automatically happen after 12 months of separation?
- If I got married overseas, can I get a divorce in Australia?
- How do I divorce my same-sex husband or wife?
- How do I choose a divorce lawyer in Sydney and NSW?
- What documents do I need to bring to my first meeting with my lawyer?
- My former spouse has been charged with a criminal offence. How will this affect my divorce?
