Meredith Lawyers

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Meredith Lawyers

Meredith Family Lawyers has practised over 18 years of divorce specialist experience. We take a pragmatic approach with respect to professional fees.

We are keeping you out of court where possible, and fully prepared if court becomes necessary. At Meredith Lawyers our experienced solicitors provide comprehensive, realistic and honest advice in the areas of family law and criminal law. Our lawyers are dedicated and determined to pursue the best outcome for our clients. Our costs are competitive and we tend to keep clients on the same fee structu

re once engaged, irrespective of the passage of time. This unique feature of our fee structure has benefited many of our long standing clients. We also offer fixed fee initial consultations where we can assist you with preliminary legal advice so that you can make informed decisions in relation to your matter. On some matters we are able to offer a fixed fee service. Please feel welcome to contact our office on 1300 537 306 to arrange a consultation with one of our staff.

22/08/2026

An IVO Has Been Filed Against You — Here's What To Do Next
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Getting an email from a court about a domestic violence IVO filed against you is genuinely frightening — especially if you weren't expecting it and didn't receive any paperwork.

Here's what matters right now: that email is your official notice. An online hearing means you'll appear via video, and you absolutely have the right to have a lawyer with you.

If the other party is seeking an IVO against you, the court will look at the evidence on both sides. Admitting to yourself that things got physical is actually the first honest step — but what happened in context, the history between you, and whether a full order is proportionate all matter too.

Don't ignore the hearing date.
Don't try to explain everything yourself without advice first.

A family lawyer can help you understand what the order is actually asking for, what your options are — including consenting without admissions — and how to protect yourself going forward.

You're not out of options. Get advice before that hearing date. Link in bio.

20/08/2026

Post-Separation Savings: Does Your New Bank Account Get Divided?
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You saved that money yourself — working part-time, being careful, planning ahead. So why is your ex's lawyer saying it's part of the property settlement?

Here's the honest answer: post-separation assets aren't automatically excluded just because they came after you split. Australian family law looks at the full picture — contributions made during and after the relationship, future needs, and what's fair overall. A new bank account opened after separation can still be included in the property pool.

But — and this matters — the fact that you were earning and saving while your ex wasn't is a contribution the court absolutely considers. Your financial contributions post-separation can work in your favour, even if the account itself is on the table.

This is exactly the kind of situation where getting proper legal advice early makes a real difference. Don't agree to anything or sign anything until you understand where you actually stand.

18/08/2026

Six Months Without Contact — And a Surname You Didn't Agree To
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Six months without contact with your child — after you completed every assessment and the results didn't substantiate the concerns raised. That's an incredibly hard place to be.

If contact hasn't resumed, you can apply to the court for a gradual, supervised reintroduction through a contact centre. This is a recognised, child-focused approach — particularly for very young children. It's not about fault. It's about rebuilding the relationship safely.

On the surname issue — one parent cannot unilaterally change a child's name. Australian family law is clear that changing a child's registered surname requires either the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility, or a court order. Using a different name on belongings or enrolment records before that's resolved can be raised with the court.

For a child under three, courts are especially focused on stability and continuity. A permanent name change imposed at this age — without consent — is exactly the kind of decision a judge can be asked to pause.

15/08/2026

Still Under the Same Roof After Separation — Here's What You Can Actually Do
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He won't leave. You can't afford to. And you're just trying to hold it together for the kids.

This is one of the hardest places to be — and one of the most common ones nobody talks about.

A few things worth knowing if this is you right now:

→ Staying in the home can actually be the right legal move. Leaving without a plan can affect your property claim.
→ You don't need money upfront to get a lawyer. Deferred fees and litigation funding exist for situations involving financial abuse.
→ Centrelink is frustrating here — Parenting Payment Single generally requires you to be living separately. But FTB A and B are usually accessible now.
→ Once you have legal representation, your lawyer can formally request your ex vacate the property.

Document everything. Get advice before you act. You have more options than it feels like right now.

Link in bio to learn more or reach out to our team.

13/08/2026

My Ex Changed the Lease — What Can I Do?
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Your name is still on the lease. But your ex handed Centrelink a version that says otherwise.

That's not just frustrating — it's a falsified document being used to claim a government benefit. And you don't have to let it sit.

The rental agency has the real lease on record. Centrelink has a process for reporting incorrect claims. And if there are financial matters still unresolved between you, this kind of conduct matters legally too.

You have more options here than you might think. Start by getting proper advice — link in bio.

11/08/2026

Your Ex Won't Tell You the School Event Time
— Here's What You Can Do
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Single parent has every right to be at your kids' school events — even if your ex won't share the details. Australian family law gives both parents the right to information about their children's education, regardless of who has day-to-day care. That right doesn't disappear just because you have the kids every other weekend.

Here's a practical first step: contact the school directly. Most schools will add you to their communication list as a recognised parent, so you receive event notices independently of your ex. You don't need his permission for that.

If your parenting orders include provisions about school involvement or communication, and he's consistently blocking your participation, that's worth looking at more closely with a family lawyer. Repeated exclusion from your children's schooling can be relevant to how orders are interpreted — and potentially varied.

You're still their parent. The arrangement doesn't change that. "

08/08/2026

Sole Divorce Application: What Happens After You File?

If you've filed a sole application for divorce and you're not sure what comes next — here's the short version.

You can't personally hand the documents to your ex. Someone else over 18 (not involved in the proceedings) has to serve them — a friend, family member, or process server. Posting them is sometimes an option too.

Once that's done, an Affidavit of Service gets filed before your hearing. If you posted the docs, you'll also need a signed Acknowledgment of Service back from your ex.

Your JP-signed affidavit goes in with your application. That part's just yours.

Small steps, but they matter. If you want someone to walk through it with you, the link's in our bio.

06/08/2026

What Happens When Your Ex Buys Property Before Settlement?

If your ex purchased a property before your de facto relationship was formally separated — and used equity from your shared family home to do it — that doesn't mean the asset is off the table.

In a de facto property settlement, the court looks at the total picture: every asset, every liability, every contribution made during the relationship. It doesn't matter whose name is on the mortgage or the title. What matters is when the relationship ended, what resources existed at that point, and how they were used.

If equity from a jointly-held or relationship property was drawn down to fund a new purchase, that transaction becomes part of the story the court considers. The law doesn't let assets quietly walk out the door just because they were moved before paperwork was signed.

This kind of situation can get complicated quickly — especially when the timing of separation is disputed. If you're unsure where you stand, it's worth getting some proper advice early.

03/08/2026

Separation is hard enough without having to figure out the legal side of things on your own. 💙

If you and your former partner have worked out how to divide your property, finances, or arrangements for the kids — that's a really positive step. But here's something worth knowing: a verbal agreement or even a written document you've put together yourselves isn't legally binding in Australia.

To make a separation agreement official, you'll generally need either a Consent Order (approved by the Family Court) or a Binding Financial Agreement — both give you legal protection down the track.

Getting it formalised doesn't have to be complicated or combative. It's really just about protecting both of you.

Feel free to reach out or visit meredithfamilylawyers.com.au — we're here to help you move forward with clarity and peace of mind.

30/07/2026

Thinking about moving to another city — or even overseas — with your kids after separation? It's one of the hardest situations families face, and the emotions on all sides are so real.

Here's something important to know: if the other parent doesn't agree to the move, you'll generally need a court order (a formal decision made by a judge) before you can relocate with your children. Courts look closely at what's best for the kids — including their relationship with both parents — so having a clear, honest plan matters enormously.

Every situation is different, and you deserve guidance that actually fits yours. Whether you're the parent wanting to move or the one worried about being left behind, we're here to help you understand your options.

Feel free to reach out or visit meredithfamilylawyers.com.au

Address

Suite 900, 185 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Website

http://www.meredithfamilylawyers.com.au/

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