Guiding You Through Family Challenges with Care
Whether the breakdown of your marriage or de facto relationship is amicable or hostile, you deserve quality legal advice, together with professionalism, understanding and support.
At Reaburn Solicitors, we are proud to have Julie Vass, our Senior Family Lawyer, leading our Family Law team. With over 15 years of experience in boutique city, suburban, and regional law firms, as well as running her own legal practice, Julie offers extensive expertise and a deep understanding of Family Law matters. Julie is dedicated to achieving fair and equitable outcomes for her clients, whether it involves drafting straightforward agreements or navigating complex disputes. Her experience has included representing clients in parenting proceedings involving multiple parties and acting for business owners in complex property cases involving Trusts and Companies. She is also a strong advocate for resolving conflicts through Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution, always seeking the best possible result for her clients.
Julie is available for appointments by virtual linkup/Teams, telephone or face to face (in Dubbo or Burleigh locations - by appointment.)
Julie is qualified to do agency work at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) at Dubbo if your firm requires an agent. We can attend to the following: Inspecting Subpoena material, attending directions hearings, mediations or conciliation conferences.
(We do not do agency work for legal aid matters.) Contact our firm for our agency work rates.
You don’t have to face this alone. Whether you’re just starting the process or already in the middle of it, we’re here to help. Feel free to contact Julie for a consultation or more information on how we can assist with your family law needs.
07 5586 2222 or info@reaburn.com.au
Memberships:
Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia
NSW Regional Women’s Lawyers (NRWL)
Our Divorce & Family Law Services
Why Choose Reaburn Solicitors for Family Law in Dubbo
- Local knowledge & presence — We understand the procedures of the Dubbo Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) and are well connected to regional service providers (such as valuers, mediators, real estate agents, DV and Community Support Services and barristers )..
- Specialist experience — Our lawyers focus exclusively on family law and regularly appear in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, in person or online.
- Personalised, empathetic service — We know these matters are often emotionally charged; we treat you with sensitivity while advocating for you rigorously.
- Cost transparency & strategy — From the outset, we explain likely costs, time frames, and the best approach (mediation, negotiation, or litigation).
- Focus on resolution — Wherever possible, we aim to settle matters out of court (via mediation or negotiation) to reduce your stress, time, and expenses.
Key Areas of Family Law in Dubbo, NSW
Below are the main family law areas we handle, including our additional service: Family Law Agency Work Dubbo – Let Us Act as Your Trusted Family Law Agent.
Divorce & Separation
- Legal separation vs divorce: when you separate, you don’t have to apply for “legal separation,” but a divorce formally ends the marriage.
- How to apply: one party must file an Application for Divorce in the Federal Circuit and Family Court (or associated registry). Parties can however apply jointly if they agree to.
- Timing: A divorce cannot be granted until at least 12 months after separation.
- What we help with: drafting the application, preparing affidavits, service of documents, responding to the other party, and dealing with any objections or complications (e.g. overseas service or complex jurisdiction issues).
Parenting Arrangements & Child Custody
- Parental Responsibility (meaning who is responsible for making decisions about major long-term issues in relation to a child e.g. schooling, living arrangements, or religion), where they will live.
- “Spend time with” How much time the child will spend with each parent (formerly “custody” and “access”).
- Parenting Plans and Consent Orders: If arrangements are agreed upon without going to Court, we draft these documents for you.
- Disputes: if parents disagree, we can assist in mediation, negotiation, or in making applications to the Court for Parenting Orders.
- Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL): in more contested disputes, the court may appoint an ICL to represent the child’s best interests.
Child Support / Advice & Maintenance
- Calculation under the Child Support Agency (CSA) / Child Support Scheme.
- If parties disagree with CSA assessments, or if the CSA cannot determine, we can assist with Objections, or Court-based Applications as appliable. Variation, enforcement and arrears: we handle variation applications, enforcement processes, and dealing with unpaid Child Support.
Binding Child Support Agreements
- We regularly negotiate and draft Binding Child Support Agreements, with your ex- spouse or their lawyer, to ensure that the children are able to be supported financially, until they turn 18 years old. These Agreements provide you with certainty and security moving forward.
- These Agreements can be tailored to your child’s specific needs and can include provisions for who pays the private school fees, extra-curricular activities, private health care and other such expenses. Such expenses can be shared or paid by either party, as agreed between the parties. These agreements require sound legal advice and must meet specific legal criteria to be legally binding.
Property & Financial Settlement
- Upon separation or divorce, parties we assist parties in formally dividing their assets and liabilities, (including superannuation) and business interests.
- We do the above by drafting Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) (Post Nuptial agreements) / or Consent Orders, to be lodged and approved by the Court (FCFCOA)
- In addition, we draft BFAs before (pre-nups), or during a de facto relationship or marriage, to protect your assets in the event of a future relationship breakdown.
- Valuations, disclosure, negotiation and, if required, court adjudication of disputes.
Spousal Maintenance Agreements / Alimony
- Applications for financial support from one spouse to another when fair and reasonable.
- Assessment based on income, earning capacity, age, health, caring responsibilities, and duration of the relationship.
- We regularly draft Spousal Maintenance Agreements to ensure that you can meet your reasonable living expenses after separation. We also draft Spousal Maintenance Agreements, which include provisions to waive spousal maintenance, to protect you against any future claims from your spouse. These agreements must be fair and reasonable. They require sound legal advice and must meet specific legal criteria to be legally binding.
Domestic & Family Violence / Protection Orders
- Applying for or defending Intervention Orders (Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders, ADVOs) or protection orders in NSW.
- Representation in court, advice on safety planning, and connecting you with support services.
Other Family Law Matters
- Paternity / parentage / DNA testing.
- Grandparents’ rights (applications for time with grandchildren).
- Child abduction or recovery (both interstate and international) under Hague Convention and local laws.
- Divorce orders in jurisdictions abroad (recognition issues).
- Access and relocation disputes (if a parent wishes to move the child interstate or overseas).
De Facto Relationship Law
- Recognition of de facto relationships under Australian family law.
- Rights and entitlements to property, financial settlement, and spousal maintenance upon separation.
- Parenting and child support rights for de facto couples.
- Time limits and requirements for making claims after separation.
- Assistance with formalising agreements through Consent Orders or Binding Financial Agreements.
Prenups & Financial Agreements
- Advice and drafting of Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) — pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, or during a relationship.
- Protecting assets and clarifying financial arrangements in case of separation.
- Reviewing and updating agreements to ensure legal enforceability.
- Negotiation and settlement support to avoid future disputes.
Mediation & Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
- Assisting parties to resolve disputes outside of court.
- Accredited FDR practitioners and mediation support.
- Preparing and formalising agreements reached through mediation.
- Compulsory FDR compliance before parenting applications to the court.
What We Need From You - Initial Instructions
To best represent you, we typically ask for:
- Full names, dates of birth, and contact details for all relevant parties (you, spouse/partner, children).
- Your marriage or separation date, and any prior relationships of relevance.
- Details of all assets, liabilities, superannuation, business interests, and financial resources.
- Income, tax returns, bank statements, salary slips, business financials for past 2–3 years.
- Any pre-existing agreements (e.g. binding financial agreements).
- Evidence of domestic violence or protection orders (if relevant).
- Proposed parenting arrangements (what you propose).
- Any reports, valuations, appraisals, property titles, mortgage documents.
- Any prior court orders or family law proceedings.
- Your goals and priorities (what you hope to achieve).
*The more complete your disclosure, the stronger your case*
What to Expect When Attending Court in Dubbo, NSW
If your matter proceeds to court, here’s how to prepare and what to expect:
- Court Registry & Venue
- In Dubbo, many family law matters are heard at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) registry at Dubbo, or via circuit sittings of that court. For more complex issues (for example, with high financial value, multiple expert reports, or contested trial-type hearings), matters may be heard at a higher level within the family law system (senior judges, longer hearings), but stay within the family law (federal) courts.
- Documents You’ll Need
- Your filed court documents (Applications, affidavits, responses).
- Financial disclosure: bank statements, tax returns, superannuation statements, valuations, business accounts.
- Evidence and witness statements.
- Any mediation or Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) certificate.
- Dress, Conduct & Court Etiquette
- Dress formally (business attire).
- Arrive 15-30 mins early, allow time for security or registry procedures.
- Be respectful in court (address the judge as “Your Honour”).
- Stand when the judge enters or leaves the courtroom.
- Electronic devices should be silenced or off.
- Speak clearly, calmly, and only when spoken to.
- Listen carefully and follow instructions.
- Hearing Process
- The court may hold case conferences, mentions, and conciliation sessions before the final hearing.
- Each side presents submissions, evidence, and witness cross-examination.
- The judge (or magistrate) will make interim or final orders.
- Costs & Orders
- The court may make orders as to costs — who bears what share of legal costs depends on conduct and outcome.
- The court has powers to enforce orders, but enforcement can sometimes require a separate application.
- In some cases, parties may apply for a review, variation, or appeal of orders, usually within strict timeframes.
- Sometimes, the court makes interim (temporary) orders to cover immediate issues (e.g., child arrangements, financial support) before final orders are made.
- Our team at Reaburn Solicitors can provide estimates or quotes for likely costs upfront and discuss payment options to reduce surprises.
Family Law Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a divorce take in NSW?
A: Once you file, and the court is satisfied with service and documentation, a divorce may be granted in about 4–6 months (if uncontested). But delays occur if the other party contests or complications arise.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for a divorce or parenting order?
A: You’re not legally required to have one, but family law is complex, and mistakes can be costly. A solicitor can help ensure your rights are protected, proper procedures are followed, and realistic outcomes are sought.
Q: What is a Consent Order?
A: A consent order is a court order agreed between parties (for parenting or property) and approved by the judge, so it’s legally enforceable.
Q: Can I relocate interstate or overseas with my child?
A: You must seek court approval if relocation significantly affects the child’s time with the other parent. The court examines the child’s best interests and other relevant legal factors outlined in the Family Law Act (1975) (Cth).
Q: How much does family law cost?
A: Costs vary depending on complexity, whether the case settles or goes to hearing, and the number of court appearances.
Reaburn Solicitors will provide cost estimates and keep you informed every step of the way.
As a guide:
- Our initial consults are a reduced fixed fee of $300, including GST.
- Hourly rates apply @ $400 per hour plus GST for Senior Lawyer (Dubbo Clients Only) per provisions of Costs Agreement.
- We undertake some fixed fee matters by Agreement with and at the discretion of the Senior Lawyer or Principal – e.g. Non-Complex Divorce Applications, Transfer of Properties, BFAs etc. Fees charged will be set out in a Costs Agreement, drafted in accordance with Law Society (NSW or QLD) Requirements.
- Funding options- will be considered on a case-by-case basis, including assistance in making a litigation funding application (e.g. Just fund).
Q: What happens if my spouse fails to comply with orders (e.g. child support)?
A: Reaburn Solicitors can assist in enforcement proceedings, seeking penalties, garnishee orders, or variation orders.
Get in touch today: 07 5586 2222 or info@reaburn.com.au
Useful Local & NSW Resources
- Family Court of Australia / Federal Circuit and Family Court registry (NSW) — for filing and procedural rules.
- FCFCOA Dubbo Registry Details
- Dubbo | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- Domestic violence support services — safe shelters, helplines, counselling. Domestic Violence Support | Western NSW Community Legal Centre
- Family Advocacy and Support Service | FASS
At Reaburn Solicitors, we understand that no two family law matters are the same — your case deserves both professional legal insight and human support. If you are in Dubbo or the surrounding central-west NSW region and are facing separation, parenting disputes, property issues or related family law challenges, contact Julie for a confidential appointment on 07 5586 2222 or info@reaburn.com.au