OVERSEAS PROPERTY & ASSETS
An Australian property settlement looks at all of the property of the relationship, wherever in the world it is. A holiday apartment overseas, an inherited family home abroad, a foreign company or an offshore account are all part of the pool to be divided. They don’t simply disappear from the picture.
With overseas assets, the principle is the same; the practicality is what changes. They can be harder to find, value and enforce against. It cuts both ways: if you suspect the other side is keeping assets offshore out of sight, there are obligations and tools to bring them to light.
— WHY UNIFIED
A cross-border matter needs a lawyer who has seen the moving parts before (foreign courts, overseas assets, parents in two countries) and can tell you plainly what each one means for you.
We handle matters that touch more than one country: overseas divorce and recognition, foreign property, international relocation and child abduction.
Clear explanations first, and other languages on request, so you always understand where your matter stands.
You’ll know what a stage costs before we start it. No surprise bills, no watching the clock.
A full team sits behind your matter, not a lawyer fitting it in between other kinds of work.
— WHAT TO EXPECT
Every international matter runs a little differently, but the way we work with you stays the same: clear, prompt and honest at each step.
What’s happened, which countries are involved, and what you want the outcome to be.
Anything time-critical, like an imminent sale, transfer or a looming foreign deadline, goes to the top.
Updates in plain English, so you always know the next step and who is handling it.
We’ll tell you what’s realistic, even when it isn’t what you were hoping to hear.
What it costs and why, from day one, with fixed fees for defined stages where we can.
FREE
20–30 minutes with a family lawyer. No cost, no obligation. You’ll leave knowing where you stand and what to do next.
— STAYING ON TRACK
Cross-border matters stall when nobody’s driving them. We keep yours moving, with a plan, prompt updates, and a steady push toward resolution.
You'll know the steps, the order and the likely timing before we begin.
When something changes overseas or in court, you hear it from us, not the other side.
We push for a sensible outcome and keep court for when it's genuinely the right path.
— WHAT WE HANDLE
Overseas-asset questions often arrive alongside an overseas marriage or divorce. Each links to the page that covers it in full.
FEATURED · OUR INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE
Overseas assets is one part of our wider international family law work, which covers overseas divorce, cross-border parenting and child abduction.
Married or divorced overseas? Whether that’s recognised here can affect your property settlement and its time limits.
— OVERSEAS PROPERTY
Australian courts work through the same four broad steps for every property settlement. Overseas assets sit inside that process; they don’t get their own separate rulebook.
Foreign real estate, offshore accounts, overseas businesses and trusts, and super-style or pension funds all belong in the pool, regardless of whose name they're in.
Financial and non-financial, direct and indirect, by both people across the whole relationship, including contributions to the overseas assets.
Care of children, age, health and earning capacity, and any genuine difficulty in actually accessing an asset held in another country.
A division that's fair for the round and that can realistically be carried out across the borders involved.
The principle is simple, the practice is where overseas matters get difficult, which is where good preparation earns its keep.
— CHILDREN ACROSS BORDERS
The principle is simple, the practice is where overseas matters get difficult. These are the issues that decide how an offshore asset is really dealt with.
Both people must fully and frankly disclose everything they own, here and overseas. Hiding assets offshore has consequences and can reopen a settlement.
Where you suspect undisclosed overseas property, there are court tools and investigative steps to pursue it.
Foreign valuations, currency conversion and translated documents all have to be sorted before a fair division is possible.
An Australian order may not be directly enforceable abroad. The court can order a party to act, or adjust the local share to account for it.
If your overseas marriage or divorce is also in question, that can affect how and when you settle, so get advice promptly.
“
OUR PROMISE TO EVERY CLIENT
— FEES & VALUE
International matters have a reputation for runaway costs. They don’t have to. We’re straight with you about money from the start.
We give you an honest read on what your matter is likely to involve before you commit to anything.
For defined stages, we’ll quote a set price, so you’re not watching a clock tick.
If something changes the scope, we talk to you first, before any extra work begins.
If a step isn’t worth the spend for the likely result, we’ll tell you so.
A free, no-obligation chat with a family lawyer, by phone or video if that’s easier.
— QUESTIONS
Short, plain-English answers to the questions we hear most. Can’t see yours? Ask us. The first conversation is free.
Yes. A settlement takes account of property wherever it is in the world, including assets held in one party’s name overseas, as long as the court has jurisdiction over the relationship.
It goes into the asset pool to be valued and divided like any other property. The challenge is usually valuing and enforcing against it, not whether it counts.
Yes. The duty of full and frank disclosure covers worldwide assets. Hiding offshore property can lead to costs orders or a settlement being reopened.
There are court tools, including disclosure orders and subpoenas, and investigative steps to trace undisclosed offshore assets.
Usually with a local valuer in the country where the asset sits, then converted to Australian dollars, with documents translated where needed.
It can make orders affecting property worldwide, but enforcing them abroad can need extra steps. Sometimes the court orders a party to act rather than binding the foreign asset directly.
Sometimes, depending on that country’s law and any treaty. Where direct enforcement isn’t available, the order can be structured to work around it.
Yes. Strict time limits apply after divorce or the end of a de facto relationship, so it’s important to get advice promptly.
The quickest way to a clear answer is a short, free chat with a family lawyer, by phone or video, around your time zone.
Or call 1300 000 000
— TALK TO US
We act on overseas-asset and property settlement matters for clients across Australia, and for Australians abroad with property to divide here. Wherever you are, your first consultation is free.
CALL US
1300 667 461
National practice, run by phone and video. Your first consultation is free.
Matter urgent? Tell us when you book and we’ll treat it that way.
or call 1300 667 461
At Unified Lawyers, results matter because they matter to you. We’ve helped more than 8000+ clients across Australia resolve their family law matters with care and expertise.
Andrew Benz
Jessica O’Brien handled my matter which involved drawing up a formal agreement for the division of property post-separation which was filed with the courts. This was done in a highly efficient, very professional and low stress way, minimising costs and time. Jessica is a very kind, warm and empathetic person who genuinely cares. She listens to you carefully and is keen to know what outcomes you wish to achieve and how you want to go about things, consulting with you throughout the whole process. Separation and divorce are invariably highly stressful life events and the way that Jessica handled everything really reduced this stress. Thank you once again, Jessica.
Shaymaa El Kafrawy
I cannot recommend Mark Youssef and the team at Unified Lawyers highly enough. Going through family law proceedings was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but having Mark represent me made an enormous difference. Before working with him, I had already been represented by two other lawyers, and the level of support, organisation, strategy, and dedication I received from Mark was truly on another level. From day one, I felt supported and protected. Mark and his team were always responsive, professional, and prepared. No matter how stressful the situation became, I always knew my matter was being handled with care, attention, and genuine commitment. What impressed me most about Mark was not only his strong legal knowledge and courtroom presence, but also how deeply invested he was in achieving the best possible outcome. He is incredibly strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Throughout the case, I felt like I had a whole team fighting for me every step of the way.
Felicia Richards
I can’t thank Santino enough for his support, professionalism, and guidance throughout our matter. His level of knowledge, compassion, and dedication has been unmatched. He has a rare ability to balance exceptional legal expertise with genuine care and understanding, making an incredibly difficult process feel far more manageable. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing Santino was in my corner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled lawyer.
Jimmy Vu
I cannot thank Eliza Harley enough for helping me through my family law matter. She was very professional, compassionate and took the time to explain the processes clearly. Her expertise helped me navigate a challenging situation with confidence. I would highly recommend her for anyone seeking any legal assistance regarding family law.
Georgina
I highly recommend Unified Lawyers and especially Jessica Adamovich. She handled our family law matter with the utmost professionalism and was always willing to listen to our concerns and expectations. Thankfully due to her professionalism we were able to achieve the outcome we had hoped for
Ellen Cook
I am beyond thankful for Andrew Morrison and his team at Unified Lawyers. From the first phone call, Andrew listened to me and provided helpful information about my separation. The initial appointment helped me unpack my options and empowered me to know what to do next. Andrew was quick to reply to emails and was there to help. He successfully helped me seperate well from my ex without having to go to court and I can not thank him enough for this. I highly recommend Andrew Morrison!
Andrew Benz
Jessica O’Brien handled my matter which involved drawing up a formal agreement for the division of property post-separation which was filed with the courts. This was done in a highly efficient, very professional and low stress way, minimising costs and time. Jessica is a very kind, warm and empathetic person who genuinely cares. She listens to you carefully and is keen to know what outcomes you wish to achieve and how you want to go about things, consulting with you throughout the whole process. Separation and divorce are invariably highly stressful life events and the way that Jessica handled everything really reduced this stress. Thank you once again, Jessica.
Shaymaa El Kafrawy
I cannot recommend Mark Youssef and the team at Unified Lawyers highly enough. Going through family law proceedings was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but having Mark represent me made an enormous difference. Before working with him, I had already been represented by two other lawyers, and the level of support, organisation, strategy, and dedication I received from Mark was truly on another level. From day one, I felt supported and protected. Mark and his team were always responsive, professional, and prepared. No matter how stressful the situation became, I always knew my matter was being handled with care, attention, and genuine commitment. What impressed me most about Mark was not only his strong legal knowledge and courtroom presence, but also how deeply invested he was in achieving the best possible outcome. He is incredibly strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Throughout the case, I felt like I had a whole team fighting for me every step of the way.
Felicia Richards
I can’t thank Santino enough for his support, professionalism, and guidance throughout our matter. His level of knowledge, compassion, and dedication has been unmatched. He has a rare ability to balance exceptional legal expertise with genuine care and understanding, making an incredibly difficult process feel far more manageable. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing Santino was in my corner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled lawyer.
Jimmy Vu
I cannot thank Eliza Harley enough for helping me through my family law matter. She was very professional, compassionate and took the time to explain the processes clearly. Her expertise helped me navigate a challenging situation with confidence. I would highly recommend her for anyone seeking any legal assistance regarding family law.
Georgina
I highly recommend Unified Lawyers and especially Jessica Adamovich. She handled our family law matter with the utmost professionalism and was always willing to listen to our concerns and expectations. Thankfully due to her professionalism we were able to achieve the outcome we had hoped for
Ellen Cook
I am beyond thankful for Andrew Morrison and his team at Unified Lawyers. From the first phone call, Andrew listened to me and provided helpful information about my separation. The initial appointment helped me unpack my options and empowered me to know what to do next. Andrew was quick to reply to emails and was there to help. He successfully helped me seperate well from my ex without having to go to court and I can not thank him enough for this. I highly recommend Andrew Morrison!
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