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Family Law and Relationship Breakdown
Marriott Oliver now practicing Collaborative Law click here to read more.
If your relationship ends it is essential that you have accurate advice
concerning your legal rights and obligations. It is important that you
fully understand how the law deals with property and other financial issues
as well as parental rights and responsibilities. It is also important that
you obtain that advice quickly and in a manner that you understand.
Marriott Oliver has a team of experienced solicitors and support staff
who can provide you with precise advice in this area. Leonie Lockart has
been admitted as a solicitor since 1983 and has been an Accredited Specialist
in Family Law since 1997. Grant Hodgson was admitted as a solicitor in
1987 and became an Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 1999.
The Law Society of New South Wales administers the accreditation process.
A solicitor must practice in the area of expertise for a large part of
their professional day and keep up their knowledge of the law by attending
seminars and conferences on a regular basis.
Where the parties are not married, the law is constantly changing in
the area of Family Law and the associated jurisdiction of property settlement.
It is difficult for a solicitor who does not specialise in these areas
to keep up to date with the changes. If the solicitor is not up to date
they cannot give you accurate advice. To ensure you get the correct advice
you should speak to Grant or Leonie.
Most people do not realise that the overwhelming majority of people do
reach agreement concerning the division of their property and concerning
the care of their children. The court decides a very small percentage of
cases. One of the main roles of an experienced Family Law solicitor is
to negotiate a settlement of issues on behalf of the client.
To do this we:
- Obtain from the client details of the specific situation – no two matters
are ever the same as we are all unique individuals
- Explain to the client the legal issues that their situation presents
- Give the client options both from a legal and practical point of view
that will help end their dispute or stop a dispute from arising in the
first place
- Negotiate on behalf of the client to achieve the result that they want
- Document the agreement that has been reached so that the matter is
ended
At Marriott Oliver we take a very practical approach to help you solve
your dispute. We know that you do not want to be involved in protracted
and costly litigation. We prefer to guide you with the process as quickly
and cheaply as possible so that you can get on with your life. We are happier
having many clients for whom we do a small amount of work leading to a
quick settlement than acting for a few clients in lengthy and costly disputes.
Our advice is based on our many years of experience, we don’t just know
the theory, we know how the system works and how best to assist a client.
Leonie also has training in mediation, which assists her when negotiating
on your behalf.
If your matter is not one that can be easily resolved we are not afraid
to take the matter to court. We are very experienced litigators. We are
comfortable running matters on your behalf as advocate in the Local Court,
the Federal Magistrates Court and the Family Court. If the matter is more
complex we usually brief an experienced Family Law barrister and attend
at court to instruct him or her with you.
We have acted on behalf of clients with the most complex financial affairs
and also with the simplest. We have acted for clients with difficult children’s
matters and drawn up simple agreements concerning arrangements for the
children.
Grant and Leonie are very approachable and both have a strong commitment
to the service of their clients. Most of our work comes to us from referrals
from past clients, which indicates to us that our clients are happy with
the approach we take and the service we provide. Make an appointment to
see Grant or Leonie before your former partner does.
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