“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
- Winston Churchill -
Top tips for when you first separate
Catherine here – Following is a guest blog from Samantha Baily, who joined my law firm Leach Legal recently. I hope to share her thoughts with you from time to time…..
When a couple decide to separate it can be a very stressful and emotional time, and sometimes it is hard to see through the clouds and think clearly.
I know this is just going to sound like I’m drumming up business, but I believe it is always wise to get good legal advice straight away so that you know what your legal rights are in relation to your children and finances. When you think about it, we’re talking about spending less than $400 so you can understand the process and the legal parameters which you have found yourself in. It’s certainly not going to make Catherine or I rich, but could save you thousands down the line.
If you and your partner can come to an agreement early on, it can greatly reduce your legal costs and any costs associated with the separation that arise from conflict or a lack of understanding of the legal process. Continue Reading…
Normally I just talk about my point of view on legal matters here, however I have someone I’d like to introduce you to. I’ve had my eye on Samantha Baily for sometime now. She’s a smart, very experienced lady, who is down to earth and sensible, and she recently joined my firm, Leach Legal as a lawyer. She’s going to write here from time to time, as she has some great thought to share… Welcome Sam, and I hope you all gain a lot from the thoughts she shares.
Samantha Baily, Lawyer
Another legal point of view
March 15, 2012 in
Uncategorized with
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Documents are King in Property Settlement Negotiations
If you are anything like me, and like most people, your memory is not perfect. You may remember birthdays but forget how much you paid for a couch, or you may be really good with remembering when you moved into your first house, but you can’t remember which bank you got the loan from.
That’s why documents are KING! It is very difficult to argue with a document.
To make sure you have the best chance of reaching an amicable agreement for your property settlement I always tell my clients to get together as many documents as possible. Some people don’t like to hear this, as they don’t like to provide this information, they think it could make their case worse or it’s just too much hard work trying to track it all down. But in my experience the earlier you provide as many documents as possible, the more likely you will avoid going to Court.
I had an enjoyable chat with Nic Hayes from Undercurrent TV about some of the myths around the divorce process. Seeing a lawyer for your divorce is not about ending up in court, it’s about understanding the life changing process you’re about to go through and heading off in the right direction.
My only advice… get legal advice… don’t rely on half truths and myths from friends, family and google!
Catherine Leach, Leach Legal
Talking Marriage, Divorce and Myths with Undercurrent
January 24, 2012 in
Amicable Divorce, Collaborative Practice, Defacto, Divorce Process with
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I was recently on Howard Sattler’s program chatting about our De Novo Guide to amicable divorce. There are many people who would love to have an amicable divorce, but it does require the right approach from both parties. I strongly believe that good advice early on can set you off in the right direction and maximise your chance of success – regardless of your partner’s approach. But when it comes to amicable divorce, as the old saying goes, it takes two to tango.
Episode 1:
Discussing De Novo with Howard Sattler
More episodes to follow later…
-Catherine Leach, Leach Legal-
Talking De Novo with Howard Sattler
November 23, 2011 in
Amicable Divorce with
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