About Brendan Hanks

Practice manager at Kate Austin Family Lawyers

Entries by Brendan Hanks

When can a Consent Order be set aside?

  The parties themselves can set aside a Consent Order if they wish to do so by simply agreeing to this as between themselves.  So for example, if one party was intending to purchase the other party’s interest in the former matrimonial home, and the Consent Orders required them to do this within a set […]

Can Consent Orders be challenged or overturned?

  Quite often clients ask us Can Consent Orders be challenged?   Whether the Order is made by Consent or pursuant to a contested hearing, it can still be challenged or overturned, but the circumstances in which this can happen are pretty limited.  For property Consent Orders, the idea is that the court ends the […]

Can you change Consent Orders?

Can you change Consent Orders?

 

Can you change Consent Orders?

 

Put Simply If you agree and the court agrees with the changes – Yes, it’s quite Simple. If you don’t both agree on the changes then there is a number of challenges

 

The easiest way to change your Consent Orders is with the other party’s consent. Therefore, we always suggest that people first speak with the other party about their willingness to change the Consent order before proceeding. If both parties agree to change their consent orders, then an application to the court can be made to obtain fresh consent orders or orders that vary from the current orders.

If you do not have the other party’s consent, the circumstances in which the court will enable you to change your existing Orders are fairly limited.

Before the court will change your parenting Consent Orders it must be satisfied that there has been a significant change in circumstances since the Orders were made that warrants them being reviewed and reconsidered. The court is reluctant to reopen parenting matters and put children through further litigation if it can be avoided.

There are only a limited number of circumstances where you Can change Consent Orders. For example, you must be able to establish that there has been a miscarriage of justice by reason of fraud, duress, suppression of evidence or the giving of false evidence to reopen your property case. Alternatively, you have to establish that it is impracticable for the Consent Order or Orders to be carried out in the circumstances that have arisen since the making of the Orders. You could also establish that a person has defaulted in carrying out an obligation required by an Order or that circumstances of an exceptional nature relating to the care, welfare, and development of a child of the relationship have arisen since the making of the Consent Order, which means it should no longer apply. The circumstances in which you can apply to set aside a property settlement Order are very limited, so you should ensure that you review the Orders carefully before signing off on them.

 

Who Can You Talk To About Consent Orders?

If you need someone to talk to about a consent order specifically or have general questions about consent orders, Kate Austin Family Law can help. We are dedicated to Consent Orders in NSW and Queensland. When it comes to consent orders Family Court can be a complicated place, and it pays to have somebody like Kate Austin Family Law on your side.

When it comes to consent orders family law professionals at Kate Austin have got you covered. They offer fixed price the consent orders to ensure you aren’t caught out by high, unexpected fees. Get on online instant Quote here. There’s no reason to put off getting the process started for your consent order with the Kate Austin team. They can help you get consent orders Family Court are likely to approve. If you would like to discuss with us more about Can you change Consent Orders then get in touch with Kate Austin Family Law today and you can feel confident that you are getting the information on consent orders you’ve been looking for.

More information can be found on the Family Court website 

Why get Consent Orders over a parenting plan?

Why get Consent Orders over a parenting plan?

What is the Difference between a Consent Order, a Parenting Plan, and a Parenting Court Order?

Consent Orders

When you and your ex-partner agree on arrangements for your child or children, you can apply to the court for orders that reflect this agreement. These are known as consent orders. Consent orders are court orders that specify what both parents must do. They hold the same legal force as if a judge had decided after a hearing. If you violate a court order, you are breaking the law, and the court may impose penalties.

Consent orders usually involve the child’s parents; other relatives can also make consent orders concerning children related to them.

Parenting Plans

If you and the other parent agree on parenting matters, you can create a parenting plan instead of applying for consent orders. A parenting plan is a less formal written agreement regarding arrangements for your child or children. It can be on any paper; no specific format is required, and it does not need to be filed in court. Parenting plans can be brief or detailed and written in plain language or legal terms as long as the agreement is clear.

You can draft a parenting plan yourself or with help from a counsellor or a friend. While you don’t need a lawyer to create a parenting plan, you can seek legal advice if desired. A parenting plan serves as a written document that you can refer to instead of relying on a verbal agreement. It can be modified easily (as long as both parties agree) without having to go to court.

An agreement can only qualify as a parenting plan if it is made without any threat, coercion, or pressure. Parenting plans must be in writing, dated, and signed by each parent or involved person.

It’s important to understand that a parenting plan is not a court order. If you do not follow a parenting plan, you are not breaking the law. However, if the plan is violated, the other party may bring the issue to court. The court will review any existing parenting plans and may ask for an explanation regarding the violation. Additionally, if a parenting plan is signed after a consent order has been issued, it might take precedence over the consent order. If the parenting plan differs from the consent order, you cannot rely on the consent order or claim it has been violated. It is advisable to seek legal advice before signing any agreements.

Parenting Orders

If you and your ex-partner cannot agree on arrangements for your child or children, you must apply to the court for a parenting order. A parenting order is a court order that outlines your parental responsibilities and arrangements for your child or children. Not following a parenting order may also constitute breaking the law, and the courts could impose penalties.

 

Who Can You Talk To About Consent Orders?

If you need someone to talk to about a consent order specifically or have general questions about consent orders, Kate Austin Family Law can help. We are dedicated to Consent Orders in NSW and Queensland. When it comes to consent orders Family Court can be a complicated place, and it pays to have somebody like Kate Austin Family Law on your side.

When it comes to consent orders family law professionals at Kate Austin have got you covered. They offer fixed price the consent orders to ensure you aren’t caught out by high, unexpected fees. Get on online instant Quote here. There’s no reason to put off getting the process started for your consent order with the Kate Austin team. They can help you get consent orders Family Court are likely to approve. if You have questions as to why you should Consent Orders over a parenting plan please get in touch with Kate Austin Family Law today and you can feel confident that you are getting the information on consent orders you’ve been looking for.

Additional information can be found at The Family Court Website.

What Are Consent Orders?

 

Consent Orders are legally binding agreements approved by the Family Court of Australia. It requires full financial disclosure of all assets and liabilities at their current value. The agreement must be “just and equitable” and compliant with all current Family Court legislation and Court rules

 

It is called a “consent” order as it reflects an agreement between both parties prior to submitting it to the court. In contrast, a regular court order is a mandate issued by the court that does not require either party’s agreement.

If you need to finalise agreements legally at the end of a relationship, you might wonder what consent orders are and how they work. Consent orders are legally enforceable agreements approved by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia that outline arrangements for parenting, property, and financial matters following separation.

A consent order is an agreement that is stamped and sealed by the court, binding the parties legally on matters such as parenting and property settlement following separation.

Firstly, it involves submitting an application for Consent Orders to the Family Court. If the court approves the proposed orders, it seals them. This seal converts the agreement into a legally enforceable document.

While legal representation isn’t mandatory for consent orders, obtaining independent legal advice is available for all parties

A consent order is not a one-size-fits-all document. It is a customised agreement drafted to address the distinct needs of the parties involved. A consent order can formalise arrangements related to parenting and/or financial and property matters, making them legally binding. Both agreements can be combined in the same document.

Parenting orders within a consent order can outline the child’s living arrangements, the time spent with the non-residential parent, child maintenance, and other aspects of parental responsibility.

Consent orders for property settlement include the distribution of real estate, personal property, financial assets, and liabilities. This division considers several factors, including each party’s assets and debts, contributions, and future requirements.

Financial support issues that a consent order might encompass include:

  • Transfer and Sale of Real Estate
  • Payment to another party for their real estate interests
  • Transfer of Cars
  • Splitting of Superannuation Interests
  • Retaining or transferring a business
  • Spousal maintenance

Legal standing of Consent Orders

Consent Orders hold the same legal weight as conventional court orders, the only difference is that the parties have agreed rather than asking the court to make an agreement on their behalf.

The Documents required for Consent Orders.

  1. Application for Consent Orders – Completed correctly
  2. Minute of Consent Orders – Completed in legally binding language in support of your application for Consent Orders.
  3. Procedural fairness approval from the outgoing Superannuation fund (if a superannuation splitting order is sought)
  4. A copy of the outgoing member’s superannuation statement.
  5. Required Valuations of a superannuation benefit subject to the fund type (Defined Benefit)
  6. Any existing Orders if you’re seeking a variation on an existing order.
  7. Payment of the current court fees for Consent Orders

Exemption of Court Fees

More can be read at the Family Court website to about the guidelines for court fee exemptions.

Changing a Parenting Order and non-compliance

Can you Change parenting Orders When the parents wish to change a Parenting Order because of changing arrangements for a child, or if either party cannot reasonably comply with it. What are the consequences of failing to comply with a Parenting Order? Determining what constitutes a failure to comply with a Parenting Order can be […]

Consent Order vs Binding Financial Agreement (BFA):

 

The difference between consent orders and a binding financial agreement

When a relationship dissolves, both consent orders and Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) are legally binding methods of settling property matters. However, there are some important differences between a BFA and Consent Orders.

The Key Differences between a Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) and Consent Orders.

 

Participation in the court system

  • Consent Orders are only made in family court if the court deems them “just and equitable,” which means fair and reasonable.
  • BFAs: are contracts between parties that do not have to be approved by a court or an independent agency.

The Consideration of Fairness

  • Consent Orders must be fair and reasonable, as a court will review them to ensure they are just and equitable. The Family Court will only accept agreements that it considers fairthis acts as a safety measure against financial abuse.
  • BFAs: Terms don’t have to be fair. One party can have a more advantageous settlement. This is a key reason why you require independent legal advice to ensure that clients know whether the agreement is fair.

Legal Advice and Witnessing documents.

  • Consent Orders: There is no requirement for either party to obtain legal advice for Consent Orders or for an agreement to be witnessed by an external party.
  • BFAs: Both parties must have their own lawyer to provide independent legal advice. This is usually at an additional cost.

What can they cover?

  • Consent Orders: Can cover both financial or property agreements as well as parenting matters.
  • BFAs: Only deal with financial or property matters. – If you require parenting matters, you must also do a Consent Order.

Which is more enforceable?

  • Consent Orders: Enforced by the court through a simple enforcement process.
  • BFAs: Enforceable only when a court application is made. This can be an expensive and time-consuming process as the court must first establish if the agreement is enforceable.

 

Consent Order vs Binding Financial Agreement (BFA): Which is better?

When to Choose Consent Orders:

  • Consent Orders are a more precise and direct approach for couples with straightforward financial situations without complex assets or debts.
  • Consent Orders are the best option if both parties want an equitable split and want the court to review and ensure the agreement’s fairness.
  • For parents seeking a comprehensive solution to their parenting and property disputes, Consent Orders are the best option.
  • Drafting a BFA often requires both parties to seek independent legal advice, which can be expensive. Consent Orders can be more cost-effective if minimising legal fees is a priority, especially in amicable separations.
  • Consent Orders are more enforceable if there are concerns about the agreement’s future enforceability, especially if one party may not uphold its end of the bargain.

When to Choose a BFA:

  • Unfair agreements: A BFA allows for such flexibility if a couple has mutually agreed on a division that might seem unfair to outsiders – for example, one spouse might keep a larger percentage of assets as a matter of personal preference.
  • Clients with privacy concerns: A BFA provides a confidential way for couples to settle property matters away from the court’s scrutiny.
  • Clauses that may be conditional in the future: Couples can include clauses or conditions in a BFA that Consent Orders do not typically cover, such as future inheritance provisions or specific time periods.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about Consent Orders or about our service generally. You can book a call or send us an email about your situation

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Consent orders – all you need to know

Consent Orders – What is it? A consent order is essentially a court order for family law matters, be it parenting arrangements or financial settlement (or both), entered into by private agreement between the parties and sealed by the court. What this means is that rather than two people arguing their issues before a judge […]