Family law guidance, with clarity and care. 以专业与温度，守护您的家庭

You must have been separated for at least 12 months. In some cases you can be separated while still living under the same roof. If you have been married for less than two years, you will generally need to attend counselling or obtain the court's permission before applying.

双方必须已分居至少 12 个月。在某些情况下，即使仍同住一个屋檐下，也可被认定为分居。若婚姻存续不足两年，一般须先参加婚姻辅导或获得法院许可，方可提出申请。

Most family law matters are resolved without a final hearing. Many people reach agreement through negotiation or mediation, which can then be formalised with consent orders or a binding financial agreement. Before applying to court about parenting, you will generally need to attempt family dispute resolution, unless an exception such as family violence or urgency applies.

大多数家事案件无需经过最终庭审即可解决。许多人通过协商或调解达成一致，再以同意令（Consent Orders）或具有约束力的财务协议（BFA）加以确定。就子女抚养问题向法院提出申请前，一般须先尝试家庭纠纷调解（FDR），除非存在家庭暴力或情况紧急等例外情形。

Yes. Married couples generally have 12 months from the date their divorce takes effect to start property proceedings. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After these deadlines you need the court's permission, so it's best to get advice early.

有。已婚夫妇一般须在离婚生效之日起 12 个月内提起财产分割程序；事实伴侣一般须在分居后两年内提出。超过期限则须获得法院许可，因此建议尽早咨询律师。

Bring any court documents, agreements or letters you have received, a summary of your assets, debts and superannuation (if property is involved), and a brief timeline of key events. Don't worry if you don't have everything — we'll tell you what we need.

请携带已收到的法院文件、协议或信函；如涉及财产问题，请准备资产、债务及养老金（superannuation）概况，以及重要事件的简要时间线。即使资料不全也无需担心，我们会告诉您还需要哪些材料。

Yes. What you tell us is confidential and, in most cases, protected by legal professional privilege. Before we can advise you, we run a conflict check to make sure we haven't acted for, or been consulted by, the other party.

会。您告诉我们的内容将严格保密，且在大多数情况下受律师-客户特权（legal professional privilege）保护。在为您提供建议前，我们会进行利益冲突审查，确认我们未曾代表对方或接受过对方的咨询。