Hannaway Lawyers Pty Ltd
Family Law Services
Based in Port Macquarie
Hannaway Lawyers Pty Ltd is a proficient family law firm, with the added bonus of having an accredited specialist in the area of family law and a solicitor with a Masters Degree in Family Law.
Family Law Matters
Local Family Law Services
We can assist clients with a range of matters relating to family law, including:
- Divorce
- Initial advice if you are thinking about separating & aren't sure about how that will impact you financially or what happens with the children
- Attending with you at mediations about parenting or property issues.
- Negotiating parenting plans and Orders without going to Court
- Getting a recovery order if your child has been taken
- Filing in court to sort out the parenting arrangements for the children (custody)
- Responding to an application in court about parenting arrangements when your ex-partner filed first
- Property matters - for both married & de facto couples (how to divide your assets after separation). Negotiating a Binding Financial Agreement or Orders, attending mediation if required or representing you in court.
Putting together your documents including:
- Affidavits
- Notice of risk
- Initiating applications & response documents
- Application in a proceeding
- Case outlines
- Subpoenas
- Filing a review application
- Binding financial agreement
- Parenting plans
- Consent orders
- Application for divorce (joint or separate)
- Private child support agreements
- Application to appeal
Please note: Our solicitors are very knowledgable in complex parenting matters and property settlements with many years of practice in the division of property and other assets including, superannuation, inheritances and personal injury payouts. If you feel that your case is more complex than an ordinary solicitor can handle, you may need a more experienced solicitor like Douglas.
That may be where there has been wastage of assets, running down of a business, large gifts or loans made by family members, hidden assets or extreme family violence which has affected your capacity to work or care for children.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Thank you for contacting Hannaway Lawyers.
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Oops, there was an error sending your message.
Please try again later.
Need Help?
Frequently Asked Questions
What family law services are available at Hannaway Lawyers?
At Hannaway Lawyers, we offer a range of family law services. These include assistance with divorce proceedings, initial advice regarding separation, mediation services (including both private and legally aided options) and support with recovery orders for child custody. Additionally, we handle court filings related to parenting arrangements and address property matters concerning both married and de facto couples.
How do Hannaway Lawyers approach complex family law cases?
When dealing with complex family law cases, our focus at Hannaway Lawyers is on conducting a detailed analysis of each individual situation. This approach includes investigating claims such as abuse, domestic violence, fraud and other serious issues, with the aim of presenting each case to the court in a clear and precise manner.
What is Douglas Hannaway’s expertise in family law?
Douglas Hannaway is a family lawyer with a focus on complex parenting matters and property settlements. His role also extends to being an independent children’s lawyer. Additionally, he is appointed to special panels that deal with domestic violence legal aid and cross-examination in family law matters.
What are parenting orders and how do Hannaway Lawyers assist in this area?
Parenting orders are legal arrangements that determine aspects such as parental responsibility and living arrangements for children. Our role includes assisting in filing for these orders, particularly when mediation is not a viable option.
How do Hannaway Lawyers address child support issues?
Child support matters are primarily under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services. At Hannaway Lawyers, we are available to assist in drafting private agreements related to child support and to offer guidance on the legal processes associated with these matters.
What experience do Hannaway Lawyers have with domestic violence cases?
At Hannaway Lawyers, our team, including Douglas and Gabrielle, has a background in managing domestic violence cases within the realms of both family and criminal law. We are prepared to work on such cases, providing support and guidance through the legal procedures involved.
Can Hannaway Lawyers assist with care matters in the local court?
Yes, we provide assistance with various care and protection issues in the local court, including care applications, temporary care arrangements, consent orders and more.
What is the role of mediation in Hannaway Lawyers’ services?
Mediation serves as a key component of our services at Hannaway Lawyers, providing an avenue for dispute resolution outside of the courtroom. Guided by Douglas Hannaway, a qualified mediator, our goal is to assist in navigating conflicts towards mutually agreeable solutions, with an emphasis on collaboration and understanding between all parties involved.
Family Law Services
Our Services
Our lawyers, Douglas and Gabrielle, provide services for simple and complex family law matters. Some cases are able to be settled informally and without the intervention of the court. Other cases involve complex issues, risk of harm posed by the other parent in family law or difficult ex-partners which necessitate the need to go to mediations or court.
We thoroughly break down and analyse each case because each matter is unique. We investigate claims of abuse, domestic violence, fraud, lies and other accusations. We then prepare each case carefully and concisely so that your story is told to the court with precision.
A key aspect of effectively running each case is narrowing down the issues for the court so that it can focus on the important issues. For example:
Parenting Cases:
- Safety first – making sure the child, and anyone who cares for them, is safe from family violence, abuse, neglect or other harm.
- The children’s views – what a child thinks and feels, depending on their age, maturity and circumstances.
- The children’s needs – their developmental, psychological, emotional and cultural needs.
- Parents’ capacity – how well each parent (or other carer) can meet those needs.
- Relationships – the benefit to the child of having a relationship with each parent and other important people, as long as it is safe.
- Other relevant factors – anything else about the child’s situation that matters to their wellbeing.
The Court must also look at any history of family violence or neglect and any family violence orders that apply.
If the child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the Court also considers their right to enjoy and connect with their culture, family, community, country and language, and how any parenting orders might affect that.
Property Cases:
- Assets brought in by each party at the beginning of the relationship
- Contributions made by each party during the relationship
- Assets owned by both parties at the time of separation
- Value of the assets now
- Wastage by either party (i.e. running down business, gambling, manic spending)
- Serious domestic violence, causing parenting/working capacity to be affected
Separation & Parenting
Applying for Parenting Orders
If you have attended mediation and it has failed, or if mediation is not appropriate, you may need to file in court to get parenting orders. Mediation may not be appropriate because of serious violence, or because you need to apply for a recovery order.
Parenting orders are legally binding arrangements which cover the following:
- Parental responsibility (who can make major decisions for the children, i.e., school, name change, medical decisions, etc.)
- With whom the child will live
- The time with which a child will be allowed to spend or communicate with the other parent
- Other ancillary orders, such as allowing a parent to attend school functions, drug testing, getting a passport for the children etc.
A parenting order may be applied for by:
- A parent
- grandparent or any other person concerned with the care & welfare of the child (e.g., a non-biological parent, aunt, uncle, siblings, etc.)
The Judge bases their decision on what is in the best interest of the children. More information about how the court makes its decision can be found in section 60CA, section 60CC and section 64B of the Family Law Act 1975.
Child Custody Disputes
Child Support
Child support is not determined by the court in parenting matters. The Department of Human Services governs it. You need to contact them if you wish to apply for child support or vary it. The decision about the amount of child support to be paid is based on each parent’s income, the number of children and their living arrangements.
If you don’t agree with the decision you can apply to the Federal Circuit Court for a review of the decision. You can also enter into a private agreement about child support with your former partner. We can assist you with that.
Divorce & Custody
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence in Australia is far more common than many people realise, and only a small proportion of cases are ever reported.
At our firm, we have extensive experience in matters involving domestic and family violence. Our solicitors have a deep understanding of how these issues intersect with family law and criminal law, and we are skilled in supporting clients through sensitive and often complex situations.
We assist both those who have experienced domestic violence and those who have been accused of it. Our focus is on providing clear advice, strong advocacy, and practical strategies to help you navigate the legal process and achieve the best possible outcome.
Effective Resolution Assistance
Dispute Resolution Process
Mediation is an effective and efficient alternative dispute resolution process that can help individuals and businesses resolve their disputes in a constructive and amicable manner. Hannaway Lawyers, a well-established law firm, offers mediation services to its clients to help them resolve their disputes outside of court.
Douglas Hannaway is a mediator and an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, with extensive background in helping parties reach mutually acceptable solutions to their conflicts. Mediation can provide a cost-effective and time-efficient way to resolve disputes, and we are committed to guiding our clients through the process with ease, empathy, and proficiency.
We can represent clients at mediation to ensure their legal rights and interests are protected during negotiations. Alternatively, Douglas is also available to act as an independent mediator, separate from the parties, to facilitate discussions and help reach practical and fair agreements.
