De-facto and Same Sex Couples
The separation of a de-facto and same sex couples is treated much the same as the breakdown of a marriage, with the same rights, responsibilities and obligations arising.
Previously the Family Law Act 1975 failed to deal with de-facto separation, and parties often found themselves before the State courts to determine their parenting and financial disputes.
Couples who separated prior to 1 March 2009, can choose to have their property matters dealt with under State legislation, or can opt to have their matter dealt with under the new Commonwealth regime.
Effective from 1 July 2009, the amendments to the legislation also allowed female same-sex de-facto couples to be recognised as parents of a child, where the couple consent to the artificial conception of the child and one of them is the birth mother.
At Kydon Segal Lawyers we understand that no two families are the same, and we are here to assist you through the separation process, providing advice on:
- Parenting arrangements in de facto relationships;
- De facto property settlements and financial arrangements;
- Surrogacy; and
- Adoption