How to get a Divorce in Australia – Step-by-Step Guide Through the Whole Ordeal

Divorce is a difficult process, but if you live in Australia it can be a little bit easier. In this post, we will outline the steps you need to take to get when applying for divorce in Australia, as well as some of the things you should consider before making the decision to end your marriage. If you are considering getting a divorce, we hope this post will provide you with some useful information.

Unhappily ever after, between a third and half of all marriages in Australia end in divorce. SAHM guides you through how to get a divorce in Australia.

Prior to World War II, Divorce was rare. The highest number of divorces was recorded in 1976 (63,230), reflecting the formalisation of some long-term separations following the introduction of the Family Law Act in 1975.

Since then, the Australian divorce rate has mostly fluctuated between 28,000 and 35,000 per year, with a spike occurring in the mid-1980s. The divorce rate has fallen in the most recent decade.

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Remember that Every Divorce is Different…..

Every divorce is different and has a different set of circumstances.  If you and your ex-partner are civil and can keep communicating, divorce can be relatively smooth.  However, most relationships don’t end well.  Throw in children and property and things can get rather sticky.

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The First Steps to Divorce Application:

Couples first need to be separated for a period of one whole year before formally applying for divorce.  But this separation needs to be formalised.  Whether your ex-partner agrees to a divorce or not, you need to either email or mail a letter (with copies) stating that you are separating and the date, with your intentions to seek divorce.  This piece of paper can help you prove to both the Government you are separated, and if your spouse chooses to contest the separation in court.

Usually, one party will choose to leave the domestic home.  But not all couples can afford to do so.  If you both choose to live under the same roof, you will need to prove that you are sleeping in separate rooms and living independently of each other.  Sometimes other family members will be required to sign a Stat Dec or similar to say you have been living separately.

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What Can You Do During the Wait:

The time between separation and divorce is turbulent.  But there are a few things you can do during that time to make the new situation resolve easier when your Divorce is processed.  They include things like:

• Making a list of all your marital assets
• List all debts held in both your name and your spouse’s name
• Block all joint bank accounts and credit card accounts and start your own.
• Ensure all marital debts such as mortgages are continued to be paid by both parties.
• Ensure you have copies of tax returns, credit card statements, mortgage payments, utility bills, insurance policies and superannuation accounts.
• Update your will immediately or if you don’t have one, have one done.

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Splitting Financial Assets

If both of you can agree on how to divide your financial assets and debts (this doesn’t include child support).  Of course, if you can’t agree on the split, this will need to go to court to be decided.  Most civil couples will sort out their finances during the first few weeks of separation so you can both live independently.

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Agreeing on Care of Children

If you have children under the age of 18, you and your partner need to discuss your parenting arrangements for care, which parent the children with live wite and child support payments.  The agreement you make will need to be formalised with a Child Support Agreement and a Parenting Plan.

Of course, these agreements can be changed and updated at any time providing both parties agree.

If both parties can’t or won’t agree, then family mediation is sought via a Family Dispute Resolution Service.

Steps for Applying for Divorce in Australia

You can apply for a divorce in Australia (even if you were married overseas) if either you or your spouse:

1. Regard Australia as your home and intend to live in Australia indefinitely; or
2. Are an Australian citizen by birth, descent or by grant of Australian citizenship; or
3. You ordinarily, live in Australia and have done so for 12 months immediately before filing a divorce application.

If you have been married less than two years and want to apply for a divorce, you must either:

1. Attend counselling with a family counsellor to discuss the possibility of reconciliation with your spouse; or
2. Seek permission of the court to apply for a divorce without attending counselling.

Australia has a ‘no-fault’ divorce system. A court does not consider the reason/s the marriage ended. The only requirement is to show the marriage has broken down irretrievably, meaning there is no reasonable likelihood that you will get back together. In order to satisfy the court of this, you must have been separated for not less than 12 months and one day. It is possible to be separated but still live in the same house, but more evidence of separation is required. You can either apply for a divorce by yourself or jointly with your spouse.

According to research conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, for both men and women, the divorce rate was higher among the two youngest age groups (under 30 years) than older age groups (30+ years). For women, the divorce rate was highest for the under-25 age group, whereas for men, it was highest for those aged 2529 years.

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Step 1: Fill Out an Application for Divorce Form

Once you have met the above obligations and separation, you can apply for a divorce via an Application for Divorce Form.  Once this form is completed, it needs to be filed with the Family Court.   The fees for filing this form are $940.00 (as per the Family Court website).  The Court will stamp the application and give you a file number and a date and time for the court hearing.  There is usually a two to four-month waiting period for the hearing.

Step 2: Serve Divorce Documents to Your Partner

You will need your solicitor to draw up Divorce Papers for your spouse to sign.  You will need to ‘serve’ these documents to your spouse and have them sign them.

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How much does a Divorce cost?

You are required to pay a fee to the court when you apply for a divorce, which at present is $940.00. Legal costs could be about $1500.

If there are children aged under 18 years, a court can grant a divorce only if it is satisfied that proper arrangements have been made for the children’s care.

The proportion of all divorces that involve children under 18 years of age has declined since the mid-1960s “” from 65% in 1966 to 48% in 2012.

If you want to apply for a division of property or maintenance, you must file an application (separate from your application for divorce) within 12 months from the date your divorce becomes final. You will need the court’s permission to apply after 12 months.

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Can a divorce application be contested?

You can only oppose your spouse’s divorce application where you say there have not been 12 months of separation, the court does not have jurisdiction or proper arrangements have not been made for your children.

What do I do if I don’t know where my spouse is?

You are required to provide a copy of the divorce application to your spouse. If you are unable to locate your spouse, you should seek legal advice about steps that can be taken to dispense with that requirement.

I’m getting a divorce, is it safe to set a wedding date for my new marriage?

Plans to remarry should be held off until the divorce order is finalised. In most cases, this is one month and one day after the divorce hearing, however, you should not assume the divorce will be granted at the first court hearing.

Where to Find More Information:

• Relationships Australia
• Legal123
• Family Court of Australia
• Divorce Service Kit (Do it Yourself Kit)

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What other divorce-related concerns do you have?

The divorce rate in Australia may not be at an all-time high, but when it comes to applying for divorce, there are a lot of issues that need to be considered. In Australia, some of the most common concerns include dividing up property and assets, dealing with child custody arrangements, and figuring out how to divide up the income from joint accounts.

However, there are a few other divorce-related concerns that are often overlooked. For example, many couples forget to change their wills after getting divorced, which can lead to major complications down the road. Additionally, it’s important to consider the tax implications when applying for divorce, as well as any possible impact on your ability to access government benefits.

So, how to get a divorce? By taking the time to address all of these issues, you can help make the divorce process a little bit easier for everyone involved.