Same Sex Relationship Family Law

Looking for assistance with Same-Sex Family Law on the Sunshine Coast?

In 2017, across Australia, same-sex marriage was legalised when the Australian Parliament passed the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017. This means that The Family Law Act 1975 recognises same-sex couples, ensuring that same-sex couples and families are protected at law with regard to their financial and parenting matters.

According to the Australian Bureau of Standards, in 2020 in Australia, there were 2,902 same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriages constituted 3.7% of marriages registered. Across all states and territories,61.4% of all same-sex marriages were female same-sex couples and 38.5% were male same-sex couples. The median age for males was 37.2 years, and for females it was 35.3 years.

The Anumis Legal Family Law Team believes that your sexual orientation should not affect your rights. We look forward to advising you about your legal rights and obligations and respectfully assist and support you to pursue your rights.

Wills and Estate Lawyers writing up a will on the Sunshine Coast

How Anumis Legal can assist you with your Same-Sex Family Law matters

With a rise in the number of same-sex marriages, it follows that there will be an increase in same-sex separations and divorces. Under Australia’s no-fault system, to get a divorce, a couple must prove that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.

Before you can apply for a divorce you must:

Live separately for at least twelve (12) months

Live separate lives, but you can live in the family home

Before you can apply for a divorce one spouse must:

Have lived in Australia for at least one year; or

Either be an Australian citizen, live in Australia and intend to do so indefinitely.

If you are seeking a divorce and you have been married for less than two years, you must try to reconcile your differences through marriage counselling – except where it is unsafe to do so. For example if there is a history of domestic or family violence.

If you would like to find out more about how we can assist you, keep reading or call us on 07 5455 6347.

Book Your Free Chat Now

For your Same-Sex Family Law Matters the Anumis Legal Dream Team is Yours

While there aren’t a lot of differences regarding family law for same sex couples compared with heterosexual couples, we’ve listed some of the more common areas of same sex family law we receive enquiries about. Click on the boxes below to learn more.

Property settlement in your same sex relationship

Importantly, there is no difference in the way in which a property settlement is reached following the breakdown of a same-sex relationship and the process for heterosexual couples. As a general rule, property and assets are divided so that the economically weaker spouse receives more than half – usually between 55-65% of the settlement, depending on the circumstances.

When a de facto couple (a couple who aren’t married but who are living as if married) breaks up, there’s no legal requirement for assets to be split. That said, if a child is involved, the relationship lasted two years or more or significant injustice would result if a division wasn’t authorised by the courts, an application for a legally binding property settlement can be made. Note that the application must be made within two years of the breakup.

Same sex parenting

In some circumstances, one partner in a same-sex relationship may not meet the legal definition of a parent, despite fulfilling the parenting role whilst the relationship was functioning. This can complicate custody and access arrangements, or leave the parent without maintenance. To minimise the risk of this situation occurring, same-sex couples who are co-parenting a child ideally need to check their legal position as soon as possible.

Assisted parenting / surrogacy arrangements / adoption

Note that the law varies from state to state across the country. The information given below pertains to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

For male couples, if one partner donates sperm for a surrogate pregnancy, there is no automatic right to parental status for the non-donating partner or a legal requirement for the surrogate to renounce their parental status. A surrogate birth mother may renounce her parental rights, leaving the way clear for the non-donating partner to go down the step-parent adoption route.

For female couples who conceive through IVF, both partners are recognised as co-mothers once the baby is born – there is no need for an adoption process to take place.

If you’re in a same-sex relationship and considering parenthood, or already have children, but you want to ensure both partners in the relationship have parental responsibility, we can help. Our experienced family law practitioners have an outstanding knowledge of the law in this area, as well as a compassionate, supportive approach which our clients value during what is often a difficult time for them.

We can also assist you with:

Name changes

Stepparents’ rights

Family Law advice

Property settlements

Filing for your divorce

Parenting arrangements

Surrogacy arrangements

Care arrangements for your children

And so much more…

Book Your Free Chat Now

Does the law differ between same-sex couples and heterosexual couples when it comes to divorce?

The Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) defines marriage as ‘the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.’ The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) recognises same sex couples who have married, whether in Australia or overseas. Same sex couples who married in Australia after 2017, or prior to 2017, same sex couples who married overseas, are subject to the provisions of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) relating to married couples.

For any same sex couple who wish to get divorced, you must demonstrate that the marriage has broken down, irretrievably. There is a requirement that you have been separated from your former partner for not less than a year and you have no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.

The basis for filing an application for divorce with the court is that you must satisfy the court that:

Under section 48(3) Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), there is no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation between you

That you have lived apart and separately for a continuous period of at least twelve (12) months before your application for divorce was filed under section 48(2) Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)

If you have children, that proper arrangements have been made for the care, development, and welfare of the children of the marriage pursuant to section 55A of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

If you were married before to the recognition of same sex marriage in Australia, you can count the 12-month period of separation as starting before the date that same-sex marriage became legal in Australia, provided you were married at the time and there has not been a reconciliation of more than three months.

For your free consultation, contact the Anumis Legal Family Law Dream Team now

If you would like to understand more about your rights, responsibilities and obligations in your particular circumstances, call Nadine Love or Dr John Cronin on 07 5455 6347 or email admin@anumis.com.au for your confidential, complimentary chat and our family lawyers will be happy to assist you.

Book Your Free Chat Now

Nadine Love working on a same sex relationship family law case in Noosa

Meet Our Legal Team

Dr John Cronin

Dr John Cronin holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management, a PHD in socially responsible investment, and is pursuing a further PHD in superannuation law. In his earlier engineering career, he led numerous large-scale equipment design and infrastructure development projects. A former financial and investment advisor, Dr John has a wealth of experience across banking, finance, and investment.

Nadine Love

Nadine Love holds a Master’s Degree in Dramatherapy. In her earlier career as an author, mentor and trainer through her books, products, and coaching services she assisted people to transform their personal and professional lives to find confidence, clarity, success, and wellbeing. Nadine was awarded the 2020 NSW Bar Association Prize for Civil Litigation and Evidence.

You can depend on our Commercial Law and Family Law firm to get to know you and your needs in depth. Our expert legal advice, courteously tailored to your specific circumstances, is at your right hand to that you can make well informed choices round the clock. We have your back.

To make your appointment or for further information: admin@anumislegal.com.au

or call 07 54556347

Book Your Free Chat Now

Client Reviews

Outstanding professional service

"Outstanding professional service and an excellent choice of firm for both our business lease and personal wills. We have sold several properties and can highly recommend Anumis Legal as the best legal service we have ever encountered. Thank you, Anumis for the peace of mind – drjohn you are a gem.”

We were delighted and relieved to find Dr John

"Both my husband and myself run small family businesses on the Sunshine Coast and from time to time have needed legal advice across a variety of tasks. While other legal companies provided helpful and courteous attention, we were delighted and relieved to find drjohn Cronin at Anumis Legal a few years ago. His wealth of experience, diversity in skills and achievements ensured we received solid legal advice, provided with diligence and care. Always grateful for his collaborative approach, wise counsel, accurate advice and opinions on a wide range of issues we feel very well served legally and confident that we are in safe hands. We are proud to be clients of Anumis Legal!”

Anumis legal ensured all the work was completed and done well.

"My home was flooded due to a burst water filter whilst I was away. I had previously dealt with lawyers and hadn’t been happy with the outcome or the way I was treated. drjohn was reassuring and put me at ease straight away, I felt instantly that drjohn had my back. drjohn dealt with all contact with the builders and ensured I was provided with the correct certification and guarantees and attended site meetings to ensure I had support from start to finish. Anumis legal ensured all the work was completed and done well. ”

Dr John made it easy for me

"Awesome! Thank you. drjohn made it really easy for me and I feel so much better about going into the lease now.”

Calm and clever. Keeping me focused.

"drjohn had been really wonderful. Calm and clever. It’s keeping me focused. (Family Law matter)”

So glad he’s my lawyer

"The meeting with drjohn went well. So glad he’s my lawyer. (Family Law matter)”

Dr John provided great counsel, coaching, and clear advice

"I share a similar story to many young start-ups. Group of friends getting together behind an exciting idea. We set up a company, gave each other the title of director and went out to go change the world. As our company grew, it evolved and how we worked together needed to evolve with it. drjohn provided great counsel, coaching, and clear advice. drjohn mediated discussions that lead to a stronger shareholder agreement. In addition, provided us with the full new start-up business pack, we now have contractor agreements and solid terms and conditions for our services. I am a better managing director as a result of drjohn’s advice. As a team, including the businesses we now partner with, are much stronger together. I am grateful for drjohn’s support and will continue to partner with Anumis Legal as our business continues to grow.”

Clarity, honesty, integrity, passion

"Their clarity, honesty, integrity and a passion for providing quality service to their clients. (Family Law matter”

Great solicitor. Great guy.

"drjohn is a great solicitor and an all round great guy. A pleasure to meet him.”

Highly ethical.

"drjohn is highly ethical and really looks after his clients. I was incredibly impressed with him. I would highly recommend him to anyone. Thanks for all your hard work on our case.”