Hello
everyone
When
most people separate their first call is not usually to a family lawyer. Usually the first call will be to a close
family member or friend who will be confronted with a distressed person looking
for not only compassion but basic advice.
The
best advice you can give them is to send them to see a lawyer who specialises
in family law, but if they are not ready to deal with lawyers here is some
helpful things you can suggest:-
1. Start to keep a diary. In the diary write down conversations about
money but more importantly track the time you each spend with your kids. A diary will be a great tool if you ever have
to go to court.
2. Contact your bank and make sure that
liabilities cannot be increased by your ex-spouse without your consent. Change the accounts so they require signatures
rather than one or the other to make large withdrawals. Reduce limits on credit cards and cancel
supplementary cards. Tell your local bank
manager about the separation so they know to contact you rather than their
legal department if mortgage payments are not being made.
3. Change the locks. Separating is stressful enough without having
your ex walk in and out as they please.
4. Contact the Child Support Agency to
ensure both parents are contributing to the costs of raising children.
5. Photocopy all of the financial records,
both yours and your spouse's and put the copies in a place where your ex-spouse
cannot get them.
6.
If the house is in the name of
your ex-spouse then put a caveat on it so it cannot be sold without your
consent.
7. If there has been domestic violence go
to the local Magistrates court and get an intervention order and to the police
to report any assault or harassment.
8. Send them to an experienced family
lawyer to get advice that is specific to their needs, their children and their
relationship.
As
always please feel free to comment on this or any other of my blogs. I
would also be happy to respond to any questions you may have on this topic.
If
you have any further queries please feel free to contact me directly at
Septimus Jones & Lee on (03) 9613 6555
