The intimidating realisation that succumbed with the Premier’s announcement of another six-week hard lockdown seemed to ripple across the State. As many were out and about adjusting to the new normal of wearing masks and donning hand sanitiser upon entry into shops and supermarkets, the stark reality of our situation in Melbourne hit us with full force.

Sadly, family violence often increases after emergency and natural disasters. Based on these experiences, we can anticipate that incidences of family violence will also increase during the outbreak of Covid-19. This is due to isolation, stress, financial insecurity, housing insecurity and periods of quarantine together. However, family violence is never ok, no matter the circumstances or the situation.

The outbreak of Covid-19 has impacted people in varying ways. It is understandable that during this time people may feel worried, afraid, anxious and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage about Covid-19.

As we have so sadly seen in the news recently, personal violence affects a large number of Australian families. A Family Violence Intervention Order can be sought in such situations with the intention of legally protecting a person from violence committed by a family member.

When a marriage or de facto relationship ends, often one party finds that they are not able to independently meet their day to day financial needs and living expenses. In such cases, the person in need may wish to apply for what is known as Spousal Maintenance.

One of the most stressful elements of ending a relationship is the process of dividing up your assets and debts. There are no hard and fast rules regarding property settlement so it is important that you seek advice from a qualified family lawyer to ensure you receive your fair share.

The question of child support or child maintenance is one that the Umbrella team deal with on a regular basis.  There’s no doubt that separation and divorce is tough, particularly where children are involved.  Understandably, the welfare of children is usually top of mind for most parents and that includes ensuring establishing financial arrangements that are fair for all parties.  The advice of professionals who specialise in collaborative law and child support arrangements is invaluable at this time.

When Australians voted to legalise same sex marriage, the definition of marriage under the Marriage Amendment (Definitions and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, was redefined to read “the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”.  After many years of debate on 9 December 2017 , 61.6% of Australians voted to become the 25^th country in the world to allow two people to marry with no definition or discrimination being applied on the basis of gender or sexuality.

For many of us, family memories are made during holiday times. The adventures we have with our family as children ourselves, then later as parents, are strong in our memories. Even if all didn’t go smoothly at the time (and even the best of holidays have their hiccups along the way!) most of us look back fondly at times shared on vacation with family members.