Family Law firm in Sydney

A leading family law firm in Sydney, Watkins Tapsell supports families through all aspects of separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and property settlement.
Family Law
Watkins Tapsell FAMILY LAW

Delivering a favourable negotiated settlement

While many people are familiar with the concept of separation and divorce, when faced with the reality of the situation it can seem unfathomable.

Our family law firm in Sydney is very conscious of the sensitive nature of family law matters and will work with you to deliver a favourable negotiated settlement, before taking the step to litigation. This includes using collaborative practice family law as a dispute resolution method.

Our client-focused approach ensures we address each client’s circumstances individually, tailoring our method to achieve the best possible results for you and your family.

Watkins Tapsell FAMILY LAW

Our Family Law firm in Sydney specialises in the following areas of practice

WATKINS TAPSELL FAMILY LAW FIRM IN SYDNEY

Litigation

Estate litigation can be expensive and time consuming, and our team views litigation as a last resort. For this reason, we usually encourage the parties to explore options for a negotiated settlement, such as collaborative practice family law. However, if that fails, we can advise you of the necessary steps to take to resolve the issue, including mediation.

Some cases cannot be resolved by agreement, no matter the effort expended, or the skill of the local family law lawyers involved. While we will strive to deliver a positive settlement out of court, our expert team of family dispute lawyers is highly experienced in Family Court litigation if required.

Usually, these kinds of cases involve one or possibly both parties being unable and/or unwilling to negotiate. Sometimes the matter involves the custody of children and settlement is not an option.

If entrusted with the litigation of a matter, our family law firm in Sydney leaves no stone unturned in its zealous representation of our clients. With access to an array of the finest expert witnesses and counsel, we excel in all areas of litigation.

Our family dispute lawyers have many years of experience preparing matters for trial. Our family law firm in Sydney has specialised training in in-court advocacy, possessing wide-ranging trial experience.

watkins tapsell office
Watkins Tapsell FAMILY LAW

Fixed-fee family law

We understand that the costs associated with hiring a family law firm in Sydney are often a concern for those going through family separation. To help ease this concern, Watkins Tapsell offers fixed-fee family law for certain matters.

Our local family law lawyers are professionals in their field and offer fixed-fee family law that addresses disputes in a constructive and appropriate manner.

When it comes to fixed-fee family law from a professional family law firm in Sydney, we’re the team for the job. For details on our full range of services and how we can help you, get in touch with our family law firm in Sydney today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Family Property Law Questions:

Generally, the party with the children is entitled to an additional proportion of the property because they have the added cost of providing for the children on a day to day basis. The amount of this extra allowance depends on a wide range of factors.
You may be able to keep living in the house until you reach agreement with your spouse on the sale of the property and division of the proceeds. Alternatively, you can keep living in the house if you reach agreement with your spouse and buy out his/her interest in the property.
Superannuation is like any other property. It will be divided between the parties as they agree or as the court thinks fit. The court has power to split superannuation of one party between both parties.
The court will usually regard the inheritance or gift received by one party during the relationship as property to which the other party has made no contribution, and accordingly the receiving party will usually receive credit for that contribution when determining how the property is divided.
You can ensure you have an accurate will, AND you can enter into an agreement with your new (second or subsequent) spouse commonly called a “pre-nuptial agreement”, AND you can take care how you hold the title of any assets to ensure they pass in the manner you wish, AND you can manage how your superannuation death benefit is to be paid.
It is an agreement signed by you and your spouse, either before or during your marriage, which sets out what is to happen to your property if you separate. It will be binding on all the parties if the formal requirements of the law are complied with.
In short, no. If you fail to disclose assets, then any agreement reached, or court orders made, can be unwound if the non-disclosure is discovered.

Family Law, Questions on Children:

Certainly, if you are able to reach an agreement to that effect with your spouse. If you can’t reach agreement, the court will only on rare occasions order equal shared residency.
The amount of child support is set by formula under the Child Support Act. The formula is a fixed percentage of your taxable income. Roughly the child support for one child is 18% of your previous year’s taxable income less $6000. For two children the percentage increases to 27%. The precise application of the formula can be viewed by visiting the Child Support calculator at www.humanservices.gov.au
Unless there are allegations of abuse or violence, you cannot be stopped from seeing your child. The court will always find that it is in a child’s interest to have meaningful contact with both its parents.

You can make an application to the court to relocate. The court will take into account all the factors which impact the best interests of the child before determining whether to allow a relocation request.

Unless you have a specific order from the court, you would not be permitted to change a child’s surname. The parent who is the resident parent will usually determine the school that a child attends, but such decisions should always be discussed with the other parent.

Generally you cannot, unless there is some special risk associated with the new partner being present at contact time.

Both parents are entitled to have input on major decisions relating to a child, irrespective of which parent the child resides with.

You can obtain an Apprehended Violence Order from the Local Court . Contact the court or the local police for urgent information and protection.

Yes. The nature and extent of those rights will vary depending on the history of their involvement with the children.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to change the child support formula amount. For example, if you have lost your job, or your income has decreased significantly since your last year’s tax assessment, you can apply to the Agency for an administrative review of your liability.

More questions? We’re here to help!

Testimonials

Watkins Tapsell
John
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My first and only time needing a solicitor. It may not have been a fun experience, but I do feel that the advice I was provided, positively influenced my decisions that resulted in a better outcome. Thank you Jamie.
Anna
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Watkins Tapsell assisted us recently with legal matters and were extremely professional, giving great advice. I would not hesitate in using their services again and highly recommend them to anyone requiring legal services. Thank you Peter, Stephanie and the team.
Gary
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The team from Watkins Tapsell are great to deal with! I have spoken to both Jaime and Peter on regular basis. They have been incredibly professional, knowledgable and generous with both their expertise and time!
Watkins Tapsell

Testimonials

John
Read More
My first and only time needing a solicitor. It may not have been a fun experience, but I do feel that the advice I was provided, positively influenced my decisions that resulted in a better outcome. Thank you Jamie.
Anna
Read More
Watkins Tapsell assisted us recently with legal matters and were extremely professional, giving great advice. I would not hesitate in using their services again and highly recommend them to anyone requiring legal services. Thank you Peter, Stephanie and the team.
Gary
Read More
The team from Watkins Tapsell are great to deal with! I have spoken to both Jaime and Peter on regular basis. They have been incredibly professional, knowledgable and generous with both their expertise and time!

Frequently Asked Questions

More questions? We’re here to help!

Book an appointment

Office open Mon–Fri 08:30 am – 17:30 pm
Other times by appointment only.

 

Head office location

Level 3, 550 Princes Highway
Kirrawee NSW 2232

 

Contact information

PO Box 88
Sutherland NSW 1499

(02) 9521 6000
mail@watkinstapsell.com.au

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