Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

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Family law resources

Access useful conference papers, articles, guides and checklists for lawyers practicing in family law

On this page

Family law trial practice tools

Acting on a recommendation from the 2015 Family Law Legal Aid Services Review, we have developed a suite of practice tools in consultation with an advisory group of family lawyers. The tools include a:

  • case strategy plan
  • litigation preparation checklist
  • adult client capacity checklist.

Read more and download the tools.

Changes to the family law guidelines

A video resource will walk you through the July 2017 changes to the guidelines, ATLAS and the Notes to the guidelines.

Overview of Commonwealth family law guideline changes
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Forms for independent children's lawyers

This form is for independent children's lawyers to gather information about parents and children in a case.

Information for the independent children's lawyer
PDF 68.44 KB
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Information for the independent children’s lawyer (accessible version)
Word 163.08 KB
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Guide for lawyers at our Family Dispute Resolution Service

Lawyers representing clients at Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service (FDRS) should refer to our Guide for lawyers at Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service, together with practice tools, to ensure parties come prepared to have respectful, child-focused and future-focused discussions.

Lawyer’s guide to Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service
Word 364.19 KB
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Family Dispute Resolution Service brochure
PDF 797.75 KB
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Kids Talk factsheet for parents
Word 79.58 KB
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Kids Talk factsheet for kids
Word 61.89 KB
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Family Law Property Program factsheet for clients
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Family Law Property Program factsheet for lawyers
Word 213.23 KB
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Family Dispute Resolution Service file checklist for lawyers – parenting
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Family Dispute Resolution Service file checklist for lawyers – property
Word 239.49 KB
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Family Dispute Resolution Service financial statement
Word 298.7 KB
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Case notes

Case note Hargreaves and Hargreaves [2017] FCCA 33 (20 January 2017)
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  • This case note summarises how Victoria Legal Aid's specialised child support team represented the claimant parent of an adult child in what we understand to be the first case confirming adult child maintenance is available to support children receiving NDIS.
Case note - Re Kelvin [2017] FamCAFC 258 (30 November 2017)
Word 140.07 KB
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  • Summary of landmark decision of the Full Court of the Family Court which removes the need for trans-gender people under the age of 18 to seek court authorisation to commence stage 2 hormone treatment in non-controversial cases. Case note includes useful definitions of terms and commentary on the circumstances in which court authorisation is still required.
Case note - Re Isaac [2014] FamCA 1134
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  • Case note on Re Isaac [2014] FamCA 1134 (17 December 2014) including facts, decision and commentary regarding whether Isaac was competent and capable of making an informed decision about his own medical treatment for gender dysphoria.
Case note - When there is family violence in a family law litigation
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  • This case note details how we helped a woman keep herself and her children safe from her violent ex-partner throughout the family law litigation.

More information

Independent Children's Lawyers – a website developed by National Legal Aid to support independent children's lawyers across Australia.

For lawyers

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