Not necessarily. Many family law matters are resolved through negotiation or family mediation. For parenting disputes, you are generally required to attempt family dispute resolution before applying to court, unless an exception applies, such as family violence or urgency.

For married couples, a property or spousal maintenance application generally must be filed within 12 months of the divorce taking effect. For de facto couples, the limit is generally 2 years from separation. It is important to get advice early.

You must have been separated for at least 12 months. You may still be able to apply if you lived separately under the same roof for part of that time.

If you and your former partner have reached agreement, we can formalise it through consent orders or a binding financial agreement, so it is legally binding and final.

If there are parenting orders or the other parent does not agree, you may need their written consent or a court order before relocating with the children. Get advice before you move.

There is no automatic rule. The court looks at the asset pool, each party's contributions, future needs and whether the outcome is just and equitable. The house may be sold, transferred or kept by one party.

Yes. Superannuation is treated as property and can be split between former partners as part of a property settlement.

Yes. Everything you tell us is treated confidentially.