Our Reviews
As a small family law firm, we treat our clients as individuals and respect the difficulties of each situation. We provide honest family law advice for married couples, those in de facto relationships or even those looking to enter a new relationship. See what some of our clients have to say:
Our Divorce Law Services in Sydney
- Divorce and separation
- Child support
- Child custody
- Binding financial agreements
- Parenting orders
- Marriage annulment
- Property settlements
- Spouse maintenance
What is the Divorce Process in Sydney?
The process begins with an application for divorce, which can be filed as a sole or joint application. Once filed, you will receive a file number and hearing date. The hearing will then determine whether the marriage has irretrievably broken down, meeting the legal requirements for divorce. A divorce usually becomes final one month and one day after being granted at the hearing.
Assistance at Every Stage of a Divorce
From separation to resolution, we guide you with legal expertise every step of the way, ensuring your rights are protected and your concerns addressed.
Married
A divorce can only be granted after 12 months of separation if you’re legally married. We ensure your rights are protected during this time, offering guidance on financial and parenting matters.
De Facto Relationship
De facto couples may need legal advice on property settlements and child custody. We help protect your rights under Australian family law, ensuring fair division of assets and parental responsibilities.
Separated
Separation doesn’t mean the end of legal ties. We offer guidance on property division, support payments, and parental responsibilities, assisting with financial agreements and interim parenting orders.
Divorced
Once divorce is finalised, issues like property division and child arrangements still need resolution. We continue to support your legal journey, advocating for fair settlements and parenting agreements.
About Us
Arcadian Legal has been serving Sydney families for more than 20 years, offering compassionate, expert legal support during divorce and family law disputes. As a local Sydney divorce lawyer, we are dedicated to providing personalised, professional assistance with care and understanding, helping you go through this challenging time as stress-free as possible.
Why Choose Arcadian Legal
Upfront and Honest Advice
We provide clear, straightforward legal advice, ensuring you understand your options at every stage of your case. We also maintain transparency on costs and potential outcomes.
Work Towards Your Best Interests
Our team advocates for your best interests and will listen to your concerns without making you feel rushed. We prioritise solutions that align with your goals and personal values.
Ensure Your Voice is Heard
Our approach always ensures your perspective is represented in every legal decision. We provide strong advocacy in negotiations and, if necessary, court proceedings.
Help You Achieve a Fair and Equitable Outcome
Our goal is to resolve disputes equitably, striving for the best possible outcome for you and your family. We focus on long-term solutions that create a stable future for all parties involved.
Hills District and Australia-Wide Service
Our services include dealing with family law matters in all areas, states and territories across Australia through phone or video consultations. Our firm also works closely with our local community in the Hills District, including areas such as Castle Hill, Bella Vista and Rouse Hill on any family law matter.
Annangrove
Bella Vista
Castle Hill
Box Hill
Arcadia
Beaumont Hills
Carlingford
Cherrybrook
Beecroft
Cheltenham
Dural
Epping
Baulkham Hills
Glenwood
Glenhaven
Kellyville
Kenthurst
North Rocks
Norwest
Rouse Hill
Oatlands
Winston Hills
Stanhope Gardens
Seven Hills
West Pennant Hills
Glenorie
If you are local to the Hills District area and want to discuss an in-person consultation for your family law matter, contact us to discuss the services we can provide.
Property Settlements
Dividing property fairly after a relationship breakdown can be complex. We guide you through asset valuation, financial disclosure and legal obligations to ensure a just outcome. We also help address hidden assets, business interests and future financial needs, working towards a settlement that secures your financial stability and long-term peace of mind. Our aim is to reach a fair resolution without unnecessary litigation, but we are ready to represent you in court if required.
Child Support and Child Custody
Our team assists with child custody arrangements and calculating child support to ensure your children’s needs are met in a way that respects their welfare. We focus on creating parenting plans that suit both parties while prioritising the children’s best interests. Whether through negotiation or court orders, we ensure child support is calculated fairly and custody arrangements allow for healthy co-parenting relationships, protecting your child in the long run.
Spouse Maintenance
We help assess spousal maintenance claims based on financial capacity and need, ensuring fairness for both parties post-separation. This includes temporary maintenance during proceedings and ongoing support if necessary. We evaluate each party’s financial situation, contributions and future earning capacity to ensure appropriate support is provided. Our goal is to achieve a balanced solution, whether by agreement or through court determination, that reflects the needs of both parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the process of applying for a divorce in NSW?
The process involves filing an application for divorce, serving papers and attending a court hearing if needed. If children are involved, the court will ensure that proper arrangements are in place for child custody and child support. The entire process may take several months, depending on the complexity of the case and the court’s schedule.
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What is the criteria for getting a divorce in Sydney?
You must prove 12 months of separation and that your marriage has broken down. There must also be no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation. Both parties need to agree on issues like child support, custody and property division before the divorce is finalised.
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Can I represent myself in divorce proceedings?
Yes, you may. Self-representation may seem cost-effective, but it often leads to overlooked legal rights or less favourable outcomes, especially in complex cases involving children or substantial assets. Having a trusted and experienced divorce lawyer on your side will help you better understand your rights and obligations with all aspects of the law considered.
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Who looks after my children after we divorce?
The court determines child custody based on the child’s best interests unless a parenting plan is agreed upon separately. If the situation goes to court, they will consider factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent, their needs and the ability of each parent to provide care. Parenting plans or consent orders outline living arrangements and parental responsibilities.
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How do we divide our property in the divorce?
Property division is based on both parties’ contributions and future needs. The court considers financial and non-financial contributions, such as homemaking or childcare, and assesses the future financial requirements of each party to reach an equitable division. If binding financial agreements were previously created, this would also be considered in property division.
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How long does divorce take to be formalised?
Divorce is formalised one month and one day after the court issues a divorce order. This timeline applies only after the divorce hearing, and the length of the overall process can vary depending on the court’s workload and the complexity of the case.