Toomey Family Law

02/09/2026

We’re excited to be attending the Wishlist Spring Carnival on Friday and proud to once again support such an important local event.

This year, Toomey Family Law is delighted to be involved as the Floral Stylist Sponsor, and we’re looking forward to a wonderful day supporting Wishlist and the incredible work they do for our local community.

A reminder that our office will be closed on Friday 4 September while our team attends the event.

Messages can still be left on our main office number, and we’ll respond as soon as we can when we return.

We can’t wait to see everyone there.

01/09/2026

Office Closure – Friday 4 September

Please note that the Toomey Family Law office will be closed this Friday, 4 September, as our team attends the Wishlist Spring Carnival event we are proud to support.

Messages can still be left on our main office number, and we will get back to everyone as soon as possible when we return.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to assisting you again from Monday!

29/08/2026

Child support should be about supporting children. But recent Australian reporting has highlighted how, in some separated families, it can also be used as a tool of financial pressure and control.

An ABC investigation published this month reported that more than half of parents using Private Collect are underpaid, while one in four receives no child support at all in a given year. Australia also has around $1.9 billion in unpaid child support debt.

The behaviours described go beyond simply missing a payment. They can include delaying tax returns, understating income, manipulating self-employment arrangements, threatening a parent who seeks collection, or using parenting arrangements as leverage.

For some families, this can become another way of maintaining control long after a relationship has ended.

For family law practitioners, it is an important reminder to look at the broader financial picture. Child support, parenting arrangements, property settlements and patterns of coercive behaviour do not always exist in isolation.

If you are concerned that child support or financial arrangements are being used to pressure or control you following separation, obtaining clear legal advice can help you understand your options.

Read the ABC article: abc.net.au/news/2026-08-14/child-support-system-financial-abuse-single-mothers/107026886

Year after year, the government slaps Leah with a family tax debt based on child support that her ex-partner has not paid.

27/08/2026

One of the strongest ways to protect an inheritance is to plan for it before a dispute arises.

A Financial Agreement can set out how an inheritance should be treated if a relationship ends. It can be entered into before, during or after a marriage or de facto relationship, and can deal specifically with inherited wealth if that is the key asset you want to protect.

For high-net-worth families, this can provide greater certainty, control and clarity around future property arrangements.

Read more about protecting an inheritance in our latest blog.
toomeyfamilylaw.com.au/how-to-protect-your-inheritance-from-divorce-from-
structuring-a-financial-agreement-to-keeping-separate-accounts/

26/08/2026

A COMMON MISCONCEPTION

Many think that an inheritance left specifically to you is not automatically protected if your relationship ends.

In Australian family law, the Court may consider a range of factors when deciding how an inheritance should be treated, including when it was received, its value, how it was used during the relationship and whether it was kept separate from shared assets.

There is no fixed formula, which is why early legal advice can be so important when significant inherited wealth is involved.

Read more in our latest blog.
https://www.toomeyfamilylaw.com.au/how-to-protect-your-inheritance-from-divorce-from-structuring-a-financial-agreement-to-keeping-separate-accounts/

Everything you need to know about using a financial agreement to protect an inheritance from divorce.

26/08/2026

We’re proud to once again be supporting the Wishlist Spring Carnival, and this year, Toomey Family Law is delighted to come on board as the Floral Stylist Sponsor.

Now in its 17th year, the Wishlist Spring Carnival has raised more than $2.8 million for Wishlist – Your Local Hospital Charity, helping fund vital medical equipment, support services, research and affordable accommodation for patients and families across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie.

Last year alone, guests pledged an incredible $327,905, helping fund two valuable pieces of medical equipment for our local health service.

It is always such a beautiful event, bringing together our community for a day of style, generosity and purpose, and we’re thrilled to be part of it again in 2026.

We look forward to seeing the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre in full bloom on 4 September.

24/08/2026

“Leisa and her team were fantastic to deal with. They communicated really well, were always clear about what was happening and what I could expect, and took action when it was needed.”

We are so grateful to Bronagh for sharing this thoughtful feedback.

Clear communication, practical advice and timely action are at the heart of how we support our clients, so it means a great deal to know that was reflected in her experience.

“The whole team was professional, responsive and genuinely great to work with.”

Thank you for placing your trust in Leisa and the Toomey Family Law team. We wish you all the very best for the future.

21/08/2026

When family law becomes complex, the quality of your advice matters.

At Toomey Family Law, we specialise in complicated and high-value property settlements, alongside separation, divorce, financial agreements, children’s matters, mediation and other related family law issues.

Our approach is clear, strategic and highly personal. We combine specialist family law expertise with practical, compassionate guidance designed to reduce overwhelm, minimise unnecessary conflict and help clients make informed decisions about what comes next.

Whether you are at the beginning of a separation, facing a complex financial matter, or simply want a second opinion, the right advice can give you clarity and confidence.
Contact Toomey Family Law to arrange an initial consultation.

toomeyfamilylaw.com.au

19/08/2026

A recent Lander & Rogers article highlights a 2025 UNSW report which identified 520 instances of generative AI misuse in legal proceedings across 10 jurisdictions between January 2023 and September 2025 — including 87 cases in Australia.([Landers][1])

The next challenge may be even more significant: deepfakes.

AI can now generate highly convincing images, recordings and videos at little cost and on a significant scale. In family law matters, that raises serious questions around evidence we have traditionally taken at face value- text messages, screenshots, photographs, social media posts and recordings.

A manipulated photograph, cloned voice recording or fabricated video could have profound consequences in matters involving parenting, family violence, substance use or allegations about a person’s conduct. Verifying disputed digital material can also require native files, metadata analysis and specialist forensic expertise, potentially adding considerable cost and complexity to litigation.

For modern family law practitioners and clients alike, the lesson is clear: seeing — or hearing — may no longer be enough to establish that something is real.

As technology evolves, careful legal analysis, evidence preservation and experienced advice will become increasingly important in complex and highly contested matters.



https://landers.com.au/legal-insights-news/ai-deepfakes-and-evidence-in-private-client-litigation "AI, deepfakes and evidence in private client litigation"

The courts have been grappling with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in litigation as its adoption has accelerated in recent years.

18/08/2026

Separation is personal. Your private life doesn’t need to become public.

For business owners, professionals, community leaders and high-profile individuals, privacy can be a significant concern when navigating separation or divorce.

While Australian family law provides important protections, there are also practical steps you can take to reduce unnecessary exposure — from seeking advice early and being careful about what you share online, to resolving matters outside Court where appropriate.

Our latest article explores how to protect your privacy, your financial information and your family throughout the separation process.

Read more:
www.toomeyfamilylaw.com.au/how-to-keep-your-high-profile-separation-and-divorce-private/

Learn how Australian family law protects your privacy during separation and divorce, plus practical steps to keep personal and financial matters confidential.