Couples who live together and are not married live in what is called a de facto relationship.

Sometimes it is difficult to decide whether a qualifying de facto relationship exists. It can often be important to establish if there is a de facto relationship for the purpos...

When a husband and wife live apart this is their separation date which can be important for property division purposes. A couple could be separated even though they are still living in the family home.

Either spouse may apply to the Family Court to have the marriage dis...

Division of property 

Your relationship property is usually divided on a 50:50 basis after a marriage or committed relationship that lasts three years or more. Couples in a relationship of less than 3 years can in some circumstances have their property divided on the ba...

When you separate, your children should be your priority and it is important to organise parenting arrangements as soon as possible.

Clarity about separation can be important for a number of reasons including for the valuation of property and to obtain a dissolution of marriage.