Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in everyday life, including legal matters. While AI tools can provide general guidance, using them as a party in a family law case in Western Australia can lead to serious risks and unintended consequences.

The approximate time from the initiation of proceedings in the Family Court of Western Australia to the date of final judgment is currently between 3.5 and 4 years.

When determining how assets and liabilities should be divided upon separation, one of the steps the Family Court will take is to assess the contributions each party has made throughout the relationship.

As 2025 gets underway and we look to set our goals for the coming year, it’s good time to reflect on the previous year to see if it provides any indicators of what might lie ahead.

When couples separate, disputes as to who will care for a beloved family pet often arise. Given how close may of us are to our furry family members, it is no surprise that some of these disputes end up in the Family Court.

Traveling internationally with your children can be a rewarding experience, but when it comes to children from separated families, some careful planning is required.

Over the last 10 years or so the Family Court of WA (FCWA) and the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) have had to deal with an increasing number of property settlement and maintenance claims and applications for guardianship and administration involving couples who are still married or in a de facto relationship but no longer live together because of failing health, old age, mental health or substance abuse issues.

Ah, the holiday season! A time when we dream of “Silent Night”—but let’s face it, for many families, it’s more like “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, chaos all the way!” If you’re navigating separation, the holidays can feel like a never-ending bittersweet ballad.

A husband who pressured his soon-to-be wife into signing a Financial Agreement (also known colloquially as a “pre-nuptial agreement” or “BFA”) has had the Agreement set aside by the Family Court on the basis that his behaviour was “unconscionable”.

Parties to an application for spousal maintenance in Perth / Western Australia need to take note of this. In 2019, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made a finding in the matter of Blevins & Blevins [2019] FCCA 1923 that leave was not necessary to make an Application for spousal maintenance, and considered it was appropriate to [...]