How to find a divorce lawyer on the Central Coast

Going through a divorce is rarely easy. But with a divorce lawyer on your side, you can help to make the process smoother and ensure you get what's rightfully yours.

Use this guide to find out how a divorce lawyer can help you, how to file a divorce and where to find lawyers on the Central Coast.

What services does a divorce lawyer offer?

The services offered by divorce lawyers can differ depending on which aspects of family law they specialise in. However, divorce lawyers typically offer the following:

• Legal advice about your rights. A divorce lawyer can inform you about your rights when it comes to your children or assets (for example, any property and money you hold).
• Review any agreements. If you've made any agreements with your spouse, a lawyer can review these and help you adjust it to your advantage.
• Negotiating a settlement. A lawyer can help negotiate a financial or parenting settlement (in other words, a decision) on your behalf.
• Representing you in court. If there is a dispute about your children or assets, a lawyer can represent your interests in court.

Where to find a divorce lawyer on the Central Coast

There are plenty of experienced divorce lawyers on the Central Coast. Here are some of the firms that you can contact today:

• East Coast Family Lawyers. Operating since 2012, East Coast Family Lawyers focuses on a range of family law matters, including separation and divorce.
• Turnbull Hill Lawyers. Turnbull Hill has been helping Australians with their legal issues since 1969, and has an office in Tuggerah in addition to offices in Sydney, Newcastle and Maitland.
• Felicio Law Firm. This experienced legal team is based in Erina. The company specialises in family law and offers fixed-fee pricing.
• Ryan & Seton Lawyers. Ryan & Seton Lawyers claims it has a track record of settling over 98% of cases outside of court. In theory, this could save you time and money when you're dealing with divorce.
• Fourtree Lawyers. Also based in Erina, Fourtree Lawyers offers a 24/7 emergency service for any urgent legal issues.
• Legal Aid NSW. Access professional legal assistance from the government. Legal Aid provides free face-to-face legal advice, and a host of other resources. You can also get support if you're experiencing domestic or family violence.

Another option you have is to get in touch with an online legal professional. Find out more about online lawyers and how they can help you on our website.

Understand your eligibility for a divorce on the Central Coast

If you live on the Central Coast – as with anywhere else in Australia – there are various requirements you must fulfill before you're eligible to file a divorce. The key criteria includes:

• You must be legally married.
• You must have lived separately for 12 months, or more.
• There is no prospect of the marriage working out anymore.
• You or your spouse are Australian citizens; or you've both lived in Australia for at least 12 months before filing for divorce.

Hoping to learn more about the divorce process? Find our divorce kit on our website here.

Factors affecting the cost of a divorce on the Central Coast

How much a divorce lawyer will charge on the Central Coast depends on many factors, including how experienced they are and where they are based. For example, lawyers in Gosford may charge more than those based outside the city. Additionally, the cost varies depending on how straightforward the divorce process is.

Here are five key factors that influence the cost of a divorce:

1. Whether or not the divorce is 'uncontested'. If a couple fully agrees on the terms of the divorce upfront — and don't hire lawyers — then it's possible to pay just the online filing fee of $930. Depending on your circumstances, it may be even be possible to apply for a reduced application fee.
2. If a real estate valuation is needed. If the value of your property assets is going to be split, a valuation report is often required. Real estate valuation reports typically cost between $300 and $900 per property.
3. If a business valuation is required. If one of your assets is a business, then a valuation report will be needed. A business valuation report typically costs between $2,000 and $8,000.
4. If you need to go to court to settle any issues. The cost for court appearances will depend on how much a lawyer needs to be involved in the process. Generally, clients can expect to spend between $3,000 and $6,000 for the first court hearing alone.
5. If you need to produce a private family report. A family report is necessary if any issues arise around the custody of your children. This report determines the relationship of the children with the parents, the parenting capacity and other relevant information. A private family report costs between $2,000 and $5,000.

Keep in mind that while many divorce lawyers charge an hourly fee, others will offer fixed-price packages.

Do I need to use a divorce lawyer?

No, a divorce lawyer isn't mandatory during a divorce. For example, if you and your spouse agree on the divorce terms then you may also submit the application online.

However, while an online application might sound easy, it may not give you the peace of mind that you need or deserve. Instead, a divorce lawyer can stand up for your rights and represent your best interests.

If there are disagreements on the distribution of assets, then a lawyer can negotiate on your behalf. Furthermore, they can help you navigate the paperwork and advise you on legal matters.

Separation and divorce: the key differences

Although the terms "separation" and "divorce" are sometimes used interchangeably, they do have different legal meanings.

• Separation means a couple is still technically married; however, they are no longer in a relationship and choose to live different lives.
• Divorce is a legal dissolution of a marriage in court. In Australia, you may only divorce your spouse if you have been separated for at least a year.

Separated couples may choose to live under the same roof, or in different households, during this period. However, it can be easier to prove you've lived separately if you are no longer in the same home. A divorce lawyer can provide tailored advice for your specific situation.

If you decide not to divorce but remain separated, a lawyer can help you protect your assets and inform government agencies such as Medicare or Child Support.

Compare divorce kits or speak to a lawyer

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Name	Product	Flat rate?	Phone assistance	Court attendance required?
Your Divorce		Yes	Yes	Yes	Your Divorce offer online divorce applications with a fixed fee service.	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Lawpath		Yes	Yes	Yes	Get access to a wide range of lawyers who specialise in divorce.	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Turnbull Hill Lawyers		No	Yes	Yes	Work with a professional legal team that specialises in family law and divorce. Available in Sydney, Newcastle, and the Hunter and Central Coast regions.	Go to site		loading Fetching your data...

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Frequently asked questions

What does a divorce lawyer do?

A divorce lawyer is responsible for helping individuals get through the legal process of a divorce. These lawyers are professionals in dividing assets such as real estate, bank accounts and other investments among couples. Moreover, a divorce lawyer can help with issues around child support and child custody.

How long does a divorce take?

If there are no complications in the divorce process, it may take as little as four months. But this is only the time from filing the application to the final order. So, in reality the process can and often does take longer. If there are issues around property or children, this is likely to prolong the process.

What are the minimum financial costs of getting a divorce?

The fee charged by the Federal Court of Australia for a divorce application is $930. This figure was correct as of February 2021. If you decide to work with a lawyer, you'll incur legal costs as well. If you're unsure about the total cost, you may want to get in touch with a divorce lawyer to receive an accurate figure.