Expert family lawyers specialize in handling cases related to family relationships, such as divorce and child custody disputes. Additionally, they assist clients in compiling documents for court appearances as well as appearing before judges at hearings.
These specialists possess excellent interpersonal and pressure-management skills and understand that their clients may be dealing with sensitive matters that must remain private.
Family Law
Family law is an umbrella legal discipline encompassing many areas of life, from marriage and divorce proceedings to custody and support issues. Castlemaine family lawyers also assist clients who face domestic abuse allegations.
Cathryn offers personalized services for her clients and provides advice and representation at court hearings through webex or Skype. Her extensive experience includes handling various Family Law matters with the goal of reaching successful outcomes for her clients.
She is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. She provides services throughout central and northern Victoria. As a compassionate lawyer who focuses on serving their best interests, she strives to deliver services with exceptional results for her clients.
Divorce
Divorce can be an emotional, draining process. Additionally, contested issues related to child custody or property division can add cost. With sound legal advice in hand, however, you can minimize its effect on both you and your wallet.
If you and your spouse can't reach an agreement on any of the issues pertaining to your divorce, a judge will make that determination at trial. They may also order mediation or other procedures before a trial takes place.
A “simple divorce” refers to any separation without property or support issues, as well as living separately for at least three years or having proof that one party is incurably insane from a psychiatrist's assessment. You will also need to present proof of service documents to the court.
Child Custody
Parents who separate and divorce can create their own parenting plan without going through court intervention, which outlines who has physical and legal custody of their child(ren).
Parents can also choose joint custody. With shared custody arrangements, both parties share in making decisions regarding a child's education, medical care and religious development; however one will retain primary physical custody.
Custody orders can include visitation rights for noncustodial parents and relatives of both parties involved, such as siblings, half-siblings, and grandparents who don't share joint custody of a child. Siblings, half-siblings, and grandparents may request visitation rights but don't necessarily receive them; courts will take into consideration each child's best interests when making this determination – factors like their relationship with both parents and ability to carry out parental responsibilities will all come into play here.
Adoption
Adoption can be a complex and long legal process that is hard to navigate on your own, without assistance from an experienced family law attorney. A Castlemaine adoption lawyer can guide you through this journey while upholding your rights throughout proceedings. They can also assist in finding agencies and attending any hearings you need to attend for adoption purposes.
Trent thrives on providing practical solutions to his clients; he relishes both the challenge and sense of satisfaction associated with providing expert advice that can easily be understood by regional people. A highly empathetic advisor and trusted member of Robertson Hyetts' Bendigo & Castlemaine Property Team, Trent has an interest in estate law as well as workers compensation law matters.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence comes in various forms and should always be considered harmful. While physical assaults might be the first clue of an abusive relationship, they're only part of an abuser's overall pattern of control behavior that must also be observed and acknowledged by society at large.
Sexual, emotional and economic abuse are also forms of domestic violence. An abuser might attempt to control access to a victim's finances by stopping them from working or restricting spending habits; or isolate them by restricting movement or not allowing them to reach out.
Recognizing abuse may not always be easy, but reaching out for help is the first step toward ending an abusive relationship. Speak with trusted individuals such as family and friends as well as domestic violence hotlines for advice.
