Your Local Solicitor in Family Law and Wills
Rosemary Giles is the owner of the firm and has practised exclusively in family law and Wills for over the past 20 years and predominantly in Bunbury. After graduating from Murdoch University in 1999, Rosemary decided to practice in family law early in her career due to the humanistic side of family law. Rosemary has enjoyed delivering timely and cost-effective services to her clients in Bunbury and the surrounding regions.
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FAQs
Before engaging a family lawyer, you need to know what you will be charged for the services provided to you. Pricing models are offered by hourly rate and/or fixed fees which is reflective of the fact that services are streamlined and affordable. At your initial consultation, you will be informed whether you will be charged at an hourly rate or by a fixed fee. For legal services that are anticipated to cost more than $1,500.00, a Cost Agreement will be provided which sets out exactly what charges you may incur. Fixed fees are charged for family law services such as divorces and consent orders.
All other services are charged at a competitive hourly rate. Simple Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Guardianship also have set prices.
There are many myths about how property should be divided and the arrangements for the care of children after separation. There are specific rules that are prescribed in the Family Law Act and the Family Court Act. Consulting with a family lawyer will enable you to be guided through the rules and focus on the factors that are applicable to you.
Having a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Guardianship that conforms to legal requirements is vital to ensure that important decisions can be made for you when you are not able to make those decisions, and that upon your death your property is distributed in accordance with your wishes. Ensuring that your affairs are in order saves those closets to you a lot of unnecessary stress and money.
Case Studies
Peter and Linda have been living in a de facto relationship and are separating due to unresolved differences. They have 2 young children aged 8 and 5 years. Peter entered their relationship with a property registered in his name. The home in which they both live is also registered in his name. He has told Linda that she is not entitled to anything and that she had best move out of the home quickly. Linda wants to know her legal entitlements and what she can do to protect her interests in the home and the property. She also wishes to sort out the best arrangements for their children. Seeking legal advice early will provide Linda with the best opportunity for a positive result in relation to her interest in the home, other property and care arrangements for the children.
Richard and Pauline began to live together in 2001, were married in 2005 and separated in 2020. They have 2 children aged 14 and 11 years who live with them on a week about basis. Richard is an electrician earning $100,000.00 per annum and Pauline works as a child care worker with an income of $30,000.00 gross per annum. They have an asset pool with a total net value of $650,000.00 which includes the home where Pauline lives with the children, 2 cars, bank accounts and superannuation entitlements. Engaging a family lawyer will enable advice to be given as to the percentage division each party would be likely to receive, and the best way to achieve an agreement and document it. Reaching an agreement will have positive benefits for Richard and Pauline, as well as their children who spend equal time with them.
Paul and Kate are married and have decided that they wish to update their wills as their circumstances have changed. Both Kate and Paul have children from prior relationships in addition to a child of their marriage. Paul is estranged from one of his children and Kate has not seen 2 of her children for a very long time. Paul and Kate wish to ensure that they make adequate provision for each other, their children and also minimise each of their estates being subject to an inheritance claim. It is important that their wills be prepared by a solicitor with provisions of each will which is tailored to their individual circumstances. It may also be important for Paul and Kate to seek independent professional taxation advice prior to each of their wills being finalised.