Legal Aid for Family Law
You should have the right to resolve Family Law matters safely & efficiently - regardless of your financial standing.
Unable to afford a solicitor? Limited funds don’t have to limit legal action. With Legal Aid for Family Law matters, it may be possible to access the professional advice and assistance you need to move on with your life.
As a proud member of the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales’s Review Committee,Family Law, Care & Protection, Domestic Violence Panel member and Independent Children’s Lawyer panel, Joplin can guide you through the grant application process and whatever follows, including: document preparation, mediation, representation in Court, enforcement and contravention, and appeals and reviews.
From parenting and property matters to domestic violence cases, Joplin will leverage her extensive experience in Family Law to protect your future. Make an appointment to learn more about securing Legal Aid.
- Member of the Law Society – Children’s Law Committee & Family Law Committee
- Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association
- Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators & Mediators badge (Ref: 104-7306)
- 2021 Order of Australia Medal ‘Services to the Law’
- 2021 Finalist: Regional / Suburban Lawyer of the Year, Australian Law Awards
- 2021 Finalist: Regional / Suburban Law Firm of the Year, Australian Law Awards
- 2021 Pro Bono Award Women Legal Services of NSW
Legal Aid for parenting & property matters and domestic & family violence
Whether you need assistance with parenting plans, relocation, child support or spousal maintenance, Joplin can resolve any matter through Legal Aid. Protect yourself & your loved ones from an abusive relationship with subsidised legal services & resources. Joplin will champion your safety & break the cycle.
Your Legal Aid panel solicitor. Your strong female voice.
Unrivalled expertise
As a member of the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales’s Review Committee, Family Law and Independent Children's Lawyer panel, Joplin can assist you with your Legal Aid application and act as your solicitor to secure the outcome you deserve.
Empowering support
With a safe and empowering space, you can get through the legal process in peace. Know that your privacy, protection and comfort are paramount at our boutique Family Law firm.
Lasting partnerships
You are so much more than a case number at Joplin Lawyers. We genuinely care about your safety, security and future, building real bonds that endure long after your legal journey ends.
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.
Legal Aid FAQs
Legal Aid refers to government-subsidised support for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Every state in Australia has a Legal Aid Commission that partners with private lawyers to give eligible applicants access to legal services.
Available for most Family Law matters, this financial assistance can cover representation in Court proceedings, support with document preparation and advice about rights, responsibilities and resolutions.
For more information on Legal Aid for Family Law, please get in touch and make an appointment today.
It’s important to understand that Legal Aid does not always equal entirely free legal advice and assistance. If you use a private lawyer, the grant excludes costs for legal services actioned before the grant begins and after it ends. Key dates for your grant will be detailed in the application approval letter you receive from the Legal Aid Commission.
Additionally, you may also be required to pay the Legal Aid Commission a $75 contribution fee. This charge is often waived for those in custody.
There are also other potential costs to consider throughout the legal process. For example, if the Family Court issues a Cost Order for you to pay any legal fees, then it will generally be your responsibility to cover this amount.
However, Legal Aid can still make a considerable impact on your ability to access legal services. For assistance with your Legal Aid application, please get in touch and make an appointment today.
Yes, it is possible to obtain Legal Aid for Family Law matters such as divorce, parenting arrangements and property settlement.
Whether you require Legal Aid Family Law advice and/or representation in the Family Court, Joplin Lawyers can help. Please get in touch and make an appointment today.
Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for Legal Aid. To obtain a grant, you must pass the below tests first:
1. Jurisdiction Test: Confirms whether Legal Aid is offered for the type of Family Law matter you require assistance with.
2. Means Test: Evaluates your level of income, assets and liabilities to determine whether you qualify for Legal Aid and how much you should contribute towards legal fees.
3. Merit Test: Assesses whether it is reasonable to provide a grant of Legal Aid for your Family Law case, considering its circumstances and likelihood of success.
As it can be challenging to navigate the more complex requirements above, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional legal advice before applying for Legal Aid. To determine whether you may qualify for a Legal Aid grant, please get in touch and make an appointment today.
If you would like to apply for Legal Aid for Family Law matters, please collect the application form from our office in Maitland or download it from the Legal Aid NSW website. You will also need to provide the following documents:
1. Last 3 Centrelink Income Statement.
2. Last 3 months of bank statements.
3. Any Court documents (if your matter has commenced proceedings including previous/current ADVO Orders).
4. Copy of your Centrelink card and 100 points of identification.
To ensure the best possible chance of approval, you should speak with an experienced Legal Aid panel solicitor before submitting your application. I can help you to determine whether you may be eligible for a Legal Aid grant, prepare and lodge your application on your behalf. To make an appointment, please get in touch today.
It can be tough to find Family Law solicitors that accept Legal Aid, let alone one who is the right fit for you. As a passionate and experienced Legal Aid family lawyer in New South Wales, Joplin is committed to helping you fight for your rights, no matter your financial circumstances.
To make an appointment to discuss Legal Aid, please get in touch today.
If you have a grant for Legal Aid, the Legal Aid Commission will pay your lawyer for the services it covers directly. However, you may be required to pay your lawyer for any fees before this grant takes effect or expenses incurred if your grant is terminated.
Importantly, it is illegal for your lawyer to charge you separate fees if they are currently receiving a grant of Legal Aid for your case.
To learn more about Legal Aid and its financial considerations, please get in touch and make an appointment today.
The time it takes to process your Legal Aid application can vary according to the type and extent of assistance required. Some applications can be reviewed in just a few days, while others take far longer.
To streamline this process and obtain approval as soon as possible, Joplin will ensure that your Legal Aid application form has been prepared correctly and completely before submission, including all associated documents.
For personalised advice on your Legal Aid application, please get in touch and make an appointment today.