Family Law
Move forward with unfaltering support from our fearless family lawyers.
One Family Law matter can affect your whole life. So you need a family lawyer who will fight for your rights, safeguard your best interests and close this chapter for good.
That is exactly what I’ll do. As a skilled solicitor, NMAS-accredited mediator & Managing Director of a boutique Family Law firm in the Hunter Valley, Joplin works with a passionate legal team to empower women.
Providing unwavering support in all fields of Family Law, we are here to help you find the strength to speak up, stand up and start living the life you so rightfully deserve. Whether you require assistance with separation & divorce, property & financial agreements or parenting & child arrangements, we will be your safe space as we champion your case – & long after, if you need us.
Many Family Law matters can be settled quickly and cost-effectively through mediation. However, if you are unable to reach an agreement outside of court, our family lawyers will equip you with the robust representation needed to navigate proceedings to your advantage.
Ready to move forward? Together, we will sort your Family Law matter once and for all. Make an appointment with Joplin Lawyers to take the first step towards a safe, secure and peaceful future.
- Member of the Law Society and Family Law Committee
- Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators badge (Ref no: 104-7306)
- 2021 Order of Australia Medal ‘Service to the Law’
- 2021 Pro Bono Award Women Legal Services of NSW
- 2021 Silver Ausmumpreneur
- 2021 Business Leader of the Year Maitland Chamber of Commerce
- 2018 Business Award Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce
- 2018 Singleton Outstanding Business Award Singleton Business Chamber
- 2018 Singleton Business Leader of the Year Singleton Business Chamber
- 2016 Westpac Social Change Fellow
Divorce & Separation
Divorce can be a stressful process even if your separation has been amicable, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our experienced Family Law team can provide strategic advice and personalised support with all divorce matters.
Here to guide you throughout the entire process, we will explain your options, draft your divorce application and advocate your best interests along the way. By taking care of the legalities behind this extremely emotional experience, we hope to help you move on with your life as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. You may apply for divorce once you have been separated for at least 12 months. If you’re not sure where to start or which course of action is best for your family, our family lawyers are here to help you.
Property settlement
Whether you are planning to separate or have already cut ties, you will need to finalise your financial matters. From real estate, vehicles and bank accounts to shares, trusts and superannuation, property settlement can be particularly complex. We are here to ensure you know exactly what you are entitled to.
Our family lawyers appreciate that litigation can be emotionally exhausting, especially after relationship breakdown. Therefore, we strive to help you determine a fair division of assets and liabilities through mediation wherever possible. If an agreement is reached behind closed doors, our family lawyers can help you apply for consent orders to formalise the terms. Otherwise, we will represent you in Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia proceedings to secure an equitable division for you.
Parenting matters
Your child’s wellbeing is paramount. To support stability at home and safeguard their best interests, our Family Law team will assist you in resolving your parenting matters as efficiently as possible. To help you reach an agreement outside of court, we can guide you through the family dispute resolution process from start to finish. We can then prepare a consent order application on your behalf to formalise the terms reached or if you require a flexible arrangement, you may opt for a parenting plan.
Unable to find common ground or need to address an urgent issue? Our family lawyers can help you apply for parenting orders and provide you with unrivalled representation in court proceedings. Whichever course of action you wish to take, we will provide you with the legal guidance required to give your child a safe, steady and supportive upbringing.
Relocation
When a parent wishes to move town, state or country with their child, they must obtain permission from the other parent first. This is because relocation, whether regional or international, can have a significant impact on the amount of time the child can spend and live with this parent.
Whether you’re ready to build a new life with your child somewhere new, or want to ensure they stay right where they are, we can assist you. Our lawyers are highly experienced in acting for both sides of relocation matters, always working to secure a living arrangement in your child’s best interests.
Child support
If you share a child with your ex partner and have become the primary caregiver, it does not mean you have to be the sole financial provider. At Joplin Lawyers, we will ensure you receive the child support you are entitled to.
A Child Support Agreement details the amount of financial assistance to be paid and how these payments will be made. This legally-binding contract can be determined in private between you and the other parent, or by the Child Support Agency using a complex and objective formula.
Not sure which type of Child Support Agreement is right for your circumstances? Our family lawyers can advise you on your options and assist you every step of the way, no matter which path you choose. Together, we can ensure your child’s financial security.
Spousal maintenance
In many relationships, there is a significant difference in incomes and earning potential. Unfortunately, this gap can leave the dependent partner in financial difficulty upon divorce or de facto separation.
If you are unable to support yourself after relationship breakdown and your ex partner can afford to contribute to your living expenses, then you may be eligible for spousal maintenance. To receive these payments, you will need to file an application within one year from the date your divorce was finalised or two years from the date your de facto relationship came to an end.
At Joplin Lawyers, our Family Law team can advise you on the likely success of your spousal maintenance claim, or defend a claim made against you. We are also able to draft Binding Financial Agreements to protect you against potential spousal maintenance claims in the future. Whatever your financial standing, we are here to fight for your rights.
If you feel ready to get out of an abusive relationship, know that help is always available. Together, we will break the domestic violence cycle
Your family lawyers. Your strong female voice.
Your fierce advocates
Awarded the Westpac Social Change Research Fellowship and 2021 Medal of the Order of Australia for ‘Service to the Law’, Joplin leads an all-female team at the forefront of Family Violence Law reform. Passionate proponents of domestic abuse awareness in Australia, we will vigorously champion your case and connect you with the right support services to move forward.
Your safe space
Our mission is to empower women. That is why we make sure every client feels supported, protected and comfortable enough to entrust us with even their most sensitive matters. Rest assured knowing your family issue will be handled with respect, discretion and genuine care for your welfare.
Your trusted partners
Relationship, property and parenting arrangements are more than legal matters; they are key pillars in your life. To make the most meaningful impact, we’ll build lasting connections with you and provide personalised solutions that make sense for your family. We also know a good deal when we see one, making commercial decisions that back your best interests now and into the future.
I know the strength it takes to lead a life on the land
Hailing from five generations of farming in the heartland of the United States of America (Nebraska), a shearing family from Garah on my maternal side and having grown up in regional NSW and QLD, my roots in rural life run deep
Now based in the heart of the Hunter Valley with my husband, a fourth-generation farmer from the Riverina, I understand both the beauty and burdens of country living first-hand. My in-depth knowledge of the agricultural issues faced by farming families and my steadfast connections with the women around me have cultivated my career as a lawyer. The backbone of our nation, rural communities are rich in resilience and solidarity – yet accessing Family Law services is still a challenge that many rural women have to bear. Know that you are not alone, wherever you may be. Here to empower marginalised women across regional Australia, I am rolling up my sleeves and breaking down the barriers to legal support on the land I have always called home.
Family Law FAQs
Family Law is a broad field that covers a range of issues relating to family relationships, including de facto relationships, marriage and divorce, parenting and children’s matters, and financial arrangements such as spousal maintenance and property settlement. In Australia, these matters are governed by the Family Law Act 1975.
Family lawyers provide guidance in all areas of Family Law, including divorce and separation, child custody and support, property settlements and more. Your family lawyer can advise you on the best course of action, draft legal documents, manage applications, attend mediation on your behalf and represent you in Family Court proceedings.
As Family Law matters have such an immense impact on your life, it is important to seek support from an experienced solicitor who knows how to defend and advocate your best interests throughout the legal process. To take the first step, please get in touch and make an appointment at our boutique Family Law firm in the Hunter Valley.
Yes. As Family Law is federal law, distance is no obstacle. We can travel anywhere in Australia to support you through the legal process and resolve your family matter. The Court now attends to many court events via electronic means therefore our physical presence is not required. We will also meet with you via electronic means. We have intrastate, interstate and international clients. Distance is no longer an obstacle.
For more information, please get in touch to make an appointment today. No matter where you live, we’ll make it work.
No, not all Family Law matters have to go to Court. In fact, many matters are resolved behind closed doors through a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) called mediation. While mediation is generally a prerequisite for Family Court proceedings, parties often find that they are able to reach consensus during this private process and avoid judicial intervention altogether.
As an accredited mediator, I can facilitate your discussions and provide you with robust representation to help you reach a fair agreement outside of the courtroom.
Learn more about Family Law mediation.
In Australia, you may represent yourself in Family Court instead of using a lawyer. However, we strongly advise against this high-risk option when faced with Family Law matters. There is a lot on the line in Family Court proceedings and, although you may cut legal costs in the short term, self-representation endangers your chances of achieving the outcome you desire.
A lawyer will help you to navigate the complex legal process efficiently and successfully, providing invaluable advice and practical support at every stage.
If you need a solicitor for Family Court proceedings, our experienced family lawyers are here to guide you through your case and champion your rights. Please get in touch and make an appointment at our boutique Family Law firm in the Hunter Valley.
Most matters heard in the Family Court are settled within 12 – 18 months. However, there is no set time frame for hearings and some can take up to three years or more, depending on the complexity of the case and the level of commitment from each party to reach a solution.
For a more accurate estimate, please make an appointment to discuss the specifics of your case. At Joplin Lawyers, we are committed to ensuring your case is resolved as efficiently as possible.
Yes, it is possible to appeal a Family Court decision under certain circumstances. To do so, you must demonstrate that the judge failed to apply the law correctly, or present a valid argument that the decision was unjust. Additionally, you must also file your Notice of Appeal in the National Appeal Registry within 28 days of the order being issued.
As you will need to convince the court of your grounds for appeal and how the legislation should have been applied, it’s important to seek support from an experienced solicitor with deep knowledge of Family Law.
If you would like to challenge a Family Court decision, please make an appointment with Joplin Lawyers today. We will be able to review your case, confirm your eligibility to file an appeal and guide you through the next steps.
A consent order is issued by the Family Court when associated parties have reached an agreement through Alternative Dispute Resolution or during the course of your litigated negotiations and would like to make its terms legally binding. Consent orders can relate to all sorts of Family Law matters, including property, financial and parenting arrangements.
As parties prepare their own agreement, a consent order does not require a courtroom hearing. Once your application is approved by the Family Court, the order will be legally enforceable.
Whether you wish to formalise an agreement made through mediation or bring your ongoing court case to a close, we can help. Our experienced family lawyers are able to assist you in obtaining, updating or even challenging consent orders. For more information, please make an appointment today.
If a Family Court Order is contravened, then the person responsible may face the below penalties under Section 70NFB of the Family Law Act 1975:
Imprisonment;
Fines;
- A Court Order demanding the person to enter into a bond;
- A Court Order demanding the person to cover the costs lost by the other party as a result of the contravention; or
- A parenting order that compensates the other party for time they were unable to spend with their child.
Crucially, these penalties can only be administered if the other party to the order presents the following documents in Family Court:
- A contravention application;
- An affidavit signed by an authorised witness that details of the alleged breach; and
- A certificate showing participation in Alternative Dispute Resolution such as mediation. In the event that your matter is urgent or you are looking to remove yourself and/or your child from the risk of family violence, then you may seek an exemption from this criterion.
If you believe that your Family Court Order has been breached, we can help you to prepare your Contravention application and represent you in any proceedings. To learn more, please make an appointment at our boutique Family Law firm in the Hunter Valley today.
Yes. Eligible applicants may obtain a Legal Aid grant to assist with their Family Law cases. As an experienced solicitor on the Independent Children’s Lawyer Panel with the Legal Aid Commission of NSW, Joplin provides subsidised support for all Family Law matters.
Whether you need to determine your Legal Aid eligibility, prepare your application or access the right legal services thereafter, Joplin Lawyers can help you. Learn more about Family Law Legal Aid.