Family Law Centre Australia

01/09/2026

Paul Chapman

13/07/2026

“My goal is to get to a point where the directors are in the room negotiating themselves and I’m not there. If they need legal advice, they can step out and call me. But it should be their meeting, their negotiation, their future.”

For Kristen Hodge, the law has never been just about legal outcomes. As a proud Wiradjuri woman, President of Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland, and founder of White Gum Mediation and Law, her focus is on building capability, self-determination and long-term economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

After more than 20 years working across native title, cultural heritage and land rights, Kristen is challenging traditional models and advocating for communities to lead their own negotiations and shape their own futures.

➡️ Read Kristen’s story and learn why she believes the most important work is passing knowledge forward to the next generation: https://www.qlsproctor.com.au/2026/07/kristen-hodge-wants-indigenous-communities-leading-the-negotiations/

13/07/2026

Children need honesty — but they also need protection.

There is a difference between being emotionally available to your child and emotionally unloading onto your child.

Kids are not meant to carry adult stress, adult conflict, adult secrets, or adult pain before their nervous system is ready to understand it.

They need to know:

💛 “The adults are handling this.”
💛 “You are safe.”
💛 “This is not your job to fix.”
💛 “You can be a child here.”

This doesn’t mean we pretend everything is perfect.

It means we share information in a way that is age-appropriate, regulated, and centered on their emotional safety — not our need to vent.

Children should not have to become the emotional support system for the adults in their life.

Protect their childhood.
Protect their nervous system.
Protect their sense of safety.

13/07/2026

A CoPA legal and practitioner briefing note examining the evidentiary, methodological, and ethical limits of compressed family assessment models in complex parenting proceedings.This resource considers Child Impact Reports, limited-scope family reports, short-form assessment processes, and o...

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

Facing separation is hard — predictable legal costs don’t have to be. Our fixed-fee family law packages on the Gold Coast cover document prep, court filing for typical applications, and negotiated binding agreements so you avoid surprise bills and prolonged stress. Example costs are discussed upfront so you can choose a cost-effective, peaceful path that protects your family’s finances and dignity. Learn more: https://wix.to/aXWodN7 . Call us to discuss options and get a clear quote.

14/02/2026

Going to your first family court hearing can feel daunting. We’ll walk you through the sequence you can expect, and what to bring to make the day calmer and more efficient. Bring ID, court documents, any parenting plans or financial records, and lists of witnesses or key dates. Arrive early, check in with registry staff, and be prepared to listen, speak when asked, and follow courtroom etiquette—dress neatly, turn phones off, and address the judge respectfully. Hearings often start with a short administrative call-over, then brief submissions or directions from the judge; many first appearances finish in a few hours, though complex matters may take longer. We offer document support and professional referrals to help reduce stress and prepare you to present your case clearly—this is guidance, not legal advice. If you’d like practical help getting ready, visit our resources and support options at https://wix.to/5bpLzIs Call or comment below if you have questions—we’re here to help.

14/02/2026

https://youtu.be/UsMzVZGdssg

Every case is different and may be handled differently depending on the needs of your family. This video explains the usual process of a family law case invo...

14/02/2026