Spousal maintenance or de facto partner maintenance is not automatic and there is no one size fits all calculation available.

If your relationship with your spouse or partner is in trouble, then you need to collate and check any documents you might have signed favouring that person during the relationship.

The duty of disclosure is onerous and can be, at times, overwhelming, especially for the party who has controlled or managed the finances throughout the marriage or relationship.

Arbitration is an alternative way to resolve property disputes outside of the family court.

It is not unheard of for property matters to be resolved save for the retention of a family pet. If the parties cannot agree, what can the Court do?

When financial orders are made by the Family Court on a final basis, an individual can only apply to vary or set aside them under certain circumstances.

In Australia and under the Family Law Act, former spouses must file an application about property settlement or spousal maintenance (or both) within 12 months of their divorce Order becoming final.

It is important to know the value of assets when making a decision about your financial settlement.

Separation is when one party tells the other that it is over. This can be done face to face or in writing. It does not have to be agreed.

If one of your major assets is superannuation and your spouse is close to retirement age, it is possible to apply to the Court to make an order to flag superannuation.