31/05/2026
Here are the top 10 logical, practical questions to ask a family lawyer to see if they are the right fit for your team:
1️⃣ Non-financial contributions: "How do my contributions as a stay-at-home mum, caregiver, or home renovator impact the asset split?" (Hint: Aussie law values these equally to income).
2️⃣ Names on deeds & assets: "If my name isn't on the house, the business, or the bank account, how does the court look at the global asset pool?"
3️⃣ Preventing hidden money: "What is your exact strategy under the Duty of Disclosure if I suspect my ex is hiding assets or refusing to hand over financial files?"
4️⃣ Superannuation splits: "How can we address superannuation so I can protect my future financial security or offset it to keep equity in the family home?"
5️⃣ Staying in the family home: "If I stay or leave, what are the legal implications? Can we apply for an exclusive occupancy order, and who legally covers the mortgage right now?"
6️⃣ Spousal & child support: "Beyond child support, do I qualify for interim spousal maintenance to help cover my basic living costs during this transition?"
7️⃣ Custody expectations: "How does the court actually determine the 'best interests of the child,' and how do we handle high-conflict scare tactics around custody?"
8️⃣ Keeping legal costs down: "What heavy lifting, document gathering, or admin tasks can I do myself to cut down your billable hours?"
9️⃣ Fee structures & retainers: "What are your fee options? If my accounts are frozen, do you offer 'pay at settlement' agreements or court-ordered funding options?"
🔟 The strategy for peace: "Are we aiming for a secure Consent Order or a Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) to settle this out of court, rather than a costly trial?"
💬 What questions are on your mind right now? Drop them in the comments below so we can all share information and support each other through this!
🎧 For the full breakdown on how to navigate these legal realities, listen to Episode 13 out now on Spotify and Youtube!