The Undesirability of Appeals in the Family Court
Recently, we have had a number of cases where parties have good prospects to appeal, but
Call us on
Call us on
I have noticed recently an increase in the number of so-called experts out there who are trying to sell to the public some sort of artificial package that purports to do the job that a family lawyer would normally do. For instance, there are sites that try to sell a do-it-yourself divorce package for $100 or $200.
All I can say is that the public should be very wary of and should avoid these types of websites and packages.
The first problem is often they are designed and put together by non-lawyers. Under no circumstances should anyone download any sort of precedent or package for anyone who is not a specialist family lawyer and knows what they are talking about. Would you go to a “doctor” who is not a qualified doctor?
However, the thing that concerns me the most about these sites is the fact that they like to criticise lawyers and say things such as “lawyers will charge $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 to do these tasks” and then go on to say how their artificial intelligence or innovative product is different.
The reality is that many of these so-called artificial intelligent and innovative products are simply not – they are simply questionnaires, precedents and spreadsheets bundled up into some sort of fancy package that simply autofills a form that then spits out a purported document that is said to have some legal effect.
The irony is that most of this information, including precedent documents, guides and information about how to do it yourself, are freely available on a lot of family law websites. Instead of going to these websites and spending $200 – $300 on a package, one will be best advised to simply look at various different specialist family lawyers websites and the Family Court or Federal Circuit Court website and have a look at all of the free information, articles and precedents that are readily available.
Family lawyers are passionate and love what they do – they often give away lots of free information and provide help through their websites that should be taken advantage of by everyone.
I would never change someone a fee to package up a so-called do-it-yourself divorce product – it is simply nonsense. If you want to do your own divorce, then simply go to the Family Court website at http://www.federalcircuitcourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fccweb/forms-and-fees/court-forms/form-topics/Divorce/kit-divorce-service and you will find a fantastic link as to how to download your divorce documentation and how to fill it out. This is an excellent service and resource provided by the Family Court which people can use to do their own divorce and to save money.
We rarely do divorces, but are obviously happy to do a divorce and to represent a client in Court (and for them to pay us) if that is what they want. However, if you want to do your own divorce then do not go to one of these cheap and nasty sites and pay $200 to $300 for a package when you can access things for free on the Family Court and / or on other expert lawyers’ websites.
In my view, it will only be a matter of time before all of the good family lawyers offer even more substantial documentation and assistance for free. It is certainly a goal that I think all of us family lawyers will aspire to – there are some things that can be done up easily and if people want to do it themselves then more information and documentation can be provided to them to help them do it for free and to do it properly.
If you are going to dip into your pocket and pay any sort of money even if it is $200 to $300 then make sure that you never pay anyone unless they are a specialist family lawyer and know what they are talking about.
The first problem is often they are designed and put together by non-lawyers. Under no circumstances should anyone download any sort of precedent or package for anyone who is not a specialist family lawyer and knows what they are talking about. Would you go to a “doctor” who is not a qualified doctor?
However, the thing that concerns me the most about these sites is the fact that they like to criticise lawyers and say things such as “lawyers will charge $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 to do these tasks” and then go on to say how their artificial intelligence or innovative product is different.
Recently, we have had a number of cases where parties have good prospects to appeal, but
It is probably commonsense and goes without saying, but in so many matters we have clients
The Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 (Cth) which was passed on 19 October 2023 will result
The Privacy Statement of the Company is incorporated into these Terms and Conditions. The Company respects the privacy of all its customers and business contacts. The Company is subject to the requirements of the National Privacy Principles which are contained in the Privacy Act.
1. How is personal information collected?
Your name, email address and phone number are collected on the contact form to allow the Company to contact you.
If you email or phone the Company directly, then the Company may record your personal details.
Your personal information may be used to:
a) Improve service to you, the customer
b) The Company may use personal information about you for marketing and research purposes. If you do not wish this to occur, please contact us and we will ensure this does not occur
c) Your personal information is not disclosed to any organisation outside of the Company.
2. Will personal information be given to anyone else?
The Company does not sell or provide your personal information to any other company.
3. Security of personal information
The Company employees are required, as a condition of their employment, to treat personal information held by the Company as confidential, and to maintain the confidentiality of that personal information.
The Company protects the personal information it collects in a secure database.
4. Access and correction
You can access your data at any time by contacting the Company directly.
You also have the right to ask us to correct information about you which is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.
We ask you to contact the Company by email or phone using the Company contact details if you wish to access or correct any of your personal details.
5. Online privacy issues
To the extent that this Privacy Policy applies to online privacy issues, it is to be read as forming part of the terms of use for our website. When you deal with the Company whether online or otherwise, the Company takes its privacy obligations seriously.
6. Additional privacy information and how to contact the Company
The Company may change its Privacy Policy at any time.
For further information about privacy issues and the protection of privacy visit the Australian Federal Privacy Commissioner’s website at www.privacy.gov.au. If you feel that The Company is not complying with this Privacy Policy, or if you have other privacy concerns, please contact the company.
