About Natalie
I have worked in family law since 2009. As CE Family Law is a specialist family law firm, I have gained extensive real-world experience working alongside a number of highly experienced specialised lawyers and developed a strong professional network which is incredibly beneficial to my clients. Whilst working as a paralegal with CE Family Law I completed my law degree.
I am passionate about helping my clients by listening to them and understanding their positions, to be able to provide clear advice in an efficient and responsive manner. As a mother I empathise and understand the importance of supporting children and parents through a separation.
When not working I love to spend time with my family, play tennis and volunteer my time as the president of my tennis club.
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Charles Darwin University – Bachelor of Law
College of Law – Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
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Victorian Legal Services Board
Law Institute of Victoria
Latest Insights
Changes to the Family Law Act will come into effect on 6 May 2024, which will impact the way the Court considers parenting matters. There will be a renewed focus on the safety of children and their care givers.
As we approach Mother’s Day, our family law team has compiled some advice to help those who are experiencing their first Mother’s Day after a separation or divorce. We understand that this can be a challenging time due to the shift in family dynamics, and we hope these suggestions will provide some guidance.
Dividing assets and liabilities after a relationship breakdown (married or de facto) is a crucial step, and formalising that agreement is equally significant. Two common avenues for achieving this formalisation are through Consent Orders and Financial Agreements. In this article, we explain the differences between the two processes.
When it comes to legal disputes, finding amicable resolutions can often seem like an impossible goal. However, one highly effective tool that has gained prominence is the use of mediation.
Navigating Father's Day after a separation can be challenging, but with these helpful tips, you can approach the day with clarity and create meaningful connections with your children.
A divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. You can apply for a divorce once you become eligible, and you do not need the other person’s consent. This guide explains what a divorce is, and what it includes and does not include. It explains the criteria required to be eligible for a divorce and outlines the types of divorce applications and the stages of the application process.
Father’s Day, like other special days in children’s lives (and their parents), can be difficult, especially for parents who no longer live together. Here are some things to think about in relation to those special days..
It’s known that parental separation is likely to result in big changes in home arrangements for children and young people, yet until recently, how children and young people think about ‘home’ after parental separation has remained unexplored in research and here are the key findings.
During the exciting early stages of a new relationship, no one stops to think about the legal status of their relationship. However, in some circumstances, it can be in your interests to consider whether you and your partner are in a de facto relationship and if you need to take any steps to proactively protect yourself in case you separate in the future.
A Parenting Plan is a written agreement between parents who are separated for the care of their children. The Parenting Plan can include agreements about….
Spousal and de-facto maintenance is financial support paid by one partner to the other partner where the other partner cannot support themselves financially.
An inheritance received by one party during a marriage or de facto relationship is a contribution made by the party that receives the inheritance, and the inheritance may form part of the property pool available for division if parties separate. Several factors are considered when assessing entitlement to an inheritance during a separation.
Separation can be a stressful and uncertain time and everyone around you has words of advice of what you should do and shouldn’t do, and it can be overwhelming. So to help you be prepared for the separation we have put together the following list of the 5 key considerations prior to separation. By addressing and planning for each of these points you will be well placed to then proceed with the legal separation.
When considering an adjustment of the parties (husband, wife or de facto) assets and liabilities, whether in a marriage or De Facto relationship, the Court considers the following 4 steps. This article goes into depth regarding each of the 4 steps.
When considering a property settlement there are many factors to be considered but there are four key steps that the Court must consider in the property settlement split. In this blog we summarise what these are.
The Federal government has now made an amendment to the Family Law Act 1975 (and corresponding amendments to the Taxation Administration Act 1953) so that from 1 April 2022, a request can be made for details of all the superannuation interests of a former partner.
A Canadian Court recently ordered that because a Father, whom shared care of the children with their Mother, refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, he should not spend time with his three children.
The first day of school should be memorable for a child but not for the wrong reasons. A little planning beforehand will mean it can go smoothly and not end in tears. Read on for some suggested tips to help things go smoothly.
When a party agrees to an FVIO without making admissions, they are agreeing to the FVIO and the conditions, however, they are not agreeing to the allegations made in the application to get the FVIO. The family member that applies for the FVIO raises various allegations against the other family member and it is those allegations that are not being admitted.
There is a common misconception in separating families that once children reach a certain age, they are able to choose which parent to live with. While children’s views are of course important to parents, if parents are not able to reach agreement about their children’s living arrangements, the Court will ultimately make the decision and the children’s views will be only one factor which is taken into account in that decision.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has approved the Pfizer vaccine as being safe for use in children aged 5 to 11 years. From 10 January 2022 children aged 5 to 11 years can now receive a vaccination against COVID19.
Whether or not a child should receive a vaccination is a parental responsibility decision. Generally speaking, both parents have and share parental responsibility for their children.
A Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) is a court order to protect a person from a family member who is perpetrating family violence. A FVIO is designed to keep people safe by setting conditions to stop a family member from behaving in certain ways.
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If you and your ex-partner aren’t able to agree on arrangements for your children, the Court may appoint an Independent Children’s Lawyer, or an ICL. The ICL’s role is to be independent of both parents and consider things from the best interests of the children.
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The fact is that parents have an equal shared parental responsibility with respect to their children. Therefore, decisions such as going on holidays overseas requires both parents’ consent.
Travelling is an important part of everyday life for many families, however, since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, travelling with your children (whether you are separated or not) has become increasingly risky more so now that international boarders open on 1 December 2021.
Imagine you’re in a relationship and you’ve expanded your family by getting a gorgeous dog or cat, your “fur baby”. Together you care for this animal and it’s very attached to both of you. Then a few years later the relationship breaks down and you decide to go your separate ways. Who legally gets to keep the pet you adopted together? Can you get custody of your pet or have legal living arrangements made up?
If you're a separated parent and you've been putting off the conversation about Christmas plans with your ex-partner, then now is the time to start that conversation!
Here's our 6 tips for planning a happy festive season for all the family…..
In October this year the Federal Government created a payment called the Escaping Violence Payment for women experiencing domestic violence who will encounter financial difficulty when they leave a violent relationship.
In recognition of the ongoing effects of Covid-19, the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court have expanded their national Covid-19 list.
The Court has recognised that in some circumstances Covid 19 could provide a reasonable excuse for not following parenting orders.
The Full Court of the Family Court of Australia considered an appeal by parents, against a decision that the paternal grandfather be able to spend time with his grandson, aged 5 years.