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KJB Law's family law section has partnered with  JustFund to offer our clients greater financial independence, particularly through family law litigation funding. It can sometimes be a struggle to afford legal fees and disbursements at times of family law cases, and limited access to funding sometimes means the settlement process can stall. This partnership enables our clients to access the legal assistance they need to settle their family law matters and move on with their lives without the burden of immediate financial constraints.​ SEE BELOW on this page for more no-obligation details.

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Family law consultation

At the risk of stating the obvious, separation occurs upon the realisation by a spouse that the relationship or marriage has irretrievably broken down. We appreciate that the law surrounding family relationships, family breakdowns and divorce is likely to be new to most people. At KJB Law we can provide comprehensive advice to you in relation to all matters that need to be addressed in light of a pending or actual separation. Separation usually triggers the need to address and resolve:

  • The division of property and liabilities;
  • The care and living arrangements for any children of the relationship;
  • Getting a divorce;
  • Applying for and obtaining child-support payments for any children of the relationship; and
  • Amending your will.


Quite understandably, many people who are faced with these issues simply don't know where or how to begin addressing or resolving them.  To help you begin to navigate these difficult times, you can book an initial family-law consultation with one of our specialist Canberra family lawyers to discuss your situation, and the options available to begin addressing and resolving all issues arising from the breakdown in your relationship or marriage.


This conference can be in person or over the phone, whichever is most convenient for you. It's obligation-free and, of course, completely confidential.  By the end of the initial conference you will have gained a much clearer understanding of any specific or immediate issues that need to be addressed, the options available to progress your matter towards a final outcome  and a sense of what any final outcome is likely to be.

Care and living arrangements for children

For separating couples with children, the ongoing care and living arrangements for the children is a sensitive and emotional issue, though invariably it must be addressed. If you've reached an agreement on with whom the children will live and how much time they will spend with the other parent, then this can be managed informally or it can be formalised by way of a parenting plan or Family Court Consent Orders.


We have a wealth of experience in formalising parenting arrangements by way of parenting plans or Family Court Consent Orders and will advise which of these processes should be preferred or adopted in your particular circumstances and why.


Unfortunately, not all separating parents are able to easily reach an agreement about the care and living arrangements for their children. At KJB Law, we try to shield you from the emotion and stress of parenting issues as much as possible by continuing negotiations on your behalf or, if absolutely necessary, commencing family law proceedings and representing you and your children’s interests throughout the litigation process.


Due to our extensive experience in family law litigation and appearance work before the four Canberra-based family law judges, we're able to provide you with a reasonably accurate indication of how your particular case will unfold, the likely procedural processes that a particular judge may favour during the litigation process, and, finally, the range of probable outcomes having considered all the personal and other circumstances relevant to your case.

Property division

Upon the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage or de-facto marriage, the need to address the division of property and liabilities arises. Married or de-facto couples who separate and are able to reach an agreement as to how the property and liabilities are to be divided can (and should) formalise this agreement by entering into a financial agreement or applying for Family Court Consent Orders.


We have extensive experience and expertise with regard to legally formalising property settlements by way of financial agreements and Family Court Consent Orders, including which of these methods or processes should be preferred in your particular circumstances and why.


Where parties are simply unable to reach an agreement as to how the property and liabilities of the relationship are to be divided, family law proceedings may be necessary to resolve the situation. Our Canberra-based family lawyers have extensive and specialised experience in relation to matrimonial and de-facto property litigation and it's our aim to ensure you're both aware of, and receive, the proportion of property to which you're fairly and reasonably entitled.

Ask about an initial family law consultation

(02) 6281 0999

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Family Law Services in Canberra and the ACT

KJB Law's family lawyers in Canberra offer practical, plain-English guidance across the full range of family law matters, from early separation planning through to complex contested proceedings. The Woden office serves clients across the ACT, including Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, and the inner south, as well as regional New South Wales clients requiring representation before the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

How Can KJB Law's Family Lawyers Help You in Canberra?

KJB Law's family lawyers assist with a broad range of separation-related matters, including:


  •  Divorce applications, including sole and joint applications under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).
  • Parenting arrangements, consent orders, and parenting plans suited to each family's circumstances.
  • Property settlement, formalised by financial agreement or Family Court Consent Orders.
  • Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs), entered before, during, or after a relationship.
  • Spousal and de facto partner maintenance where one party cannot adequately support themselves.
  • De facto relationship matters, including property and parenting issues arising from relationship breakdown.


  Call (02) 6281 0999 or use the online enquiry form to arrange a confidential, obligation-free consultation.

Do I Need to Go to Court for a Family Law Matter in the ACT?

Court proceedings are often not required. KJB Law's solicitors actively pursue negotiated settlements and consent orders, which carry the same legal effect as a court-issued order but without the cost and delay of contested proceedings. Where court involvement is unavoidable, the team has extensive experience appearing before Canberra-based judges in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

FAQs

  • Can a Binding Financial Agreement Replace a Court Order?

    A Binding Financial Agreement can provide a legally enforceable alternative to a consent order for property matters. Both parties must obtain independent legal advice before signing, and the agreement must meet strict requirements under the Family Law Act 1975. KJB Law's solicitors can advise whether a BFA or consent order better suits your situation.

  • What If I Cannot Afford Legal Fees During a Family Law Matter?

    KJB Law has partnered with JustFund, a dedicated family law finance provider, to help eligible clients access a flexible line of credit covering legal fees and disbursements, with repayment deferred until after settlement. This may particularly assist clients who are financially dependent on a former partner or lack immediate access to funds.

  • How Do Parenting Arrangements Work After Separation in Canberra?

    Parenting arrangements can be set out in an informal parenting plan or formalised as Family Court Consent Orders. KJB Law's family lawyers advise which approach suits each situation and represent clients through negotiation or, where necessary, contested proceedings, with a focus on minimising stress for parents and children.

  • Are De Facto Couples Treated the Same as Married Couples Under ACT Family Law?

    De facto couples in the ACT are generally covered by the same Family Law Act 1975 provisions as married couples for property and maintenance matters, provided the relationship meets the legal definition. KJB Law's solicitors can assess your circumstances and clarify your rights, including applicable time limits for making applications after separation.

Why Choose KJB Law's Family Lawyers in Canberra, ACT?

KJB Law has served the Canberra community for over 45 years. Key reasons clients choose the firm include:


 

  •  Dedicated family law solicitors admitted in the ACT and the High Court of Australia.
  • Pragmatic, cost-conscious advice that prioritises resolution without unnecessary delay.
  • Experience before all Canberra-based family law judges, with realistic assessments of likely outcomes.
  • Access to litigation funding through the JustFund partnership.
  • Consultations available in person at Woden or by telephone.


Call (02) 6281 0999 or visit our contact page to request a confidential, no-obligation initial consultation.

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Flexible legal financing for family law matters

The KJB Law family law section has partnered with JustFund as a practical solution for clients who need support covering legal costs. Through our partnership, eligible clients can access a flexible line of credit to help manage legal fees and expenses, with nothing to repay until after a settlement is reached. Unlike traditional lenders, JustFund does not look at income or credit scores to approve funding support for family law matters.

This kind of flexible funding can be life-changing, particularly for those who are financially dependent on a partner, experiencing family violence, or trying to navigate a complex separation without the immediate means to proceed.

By introducing legal finance early in the process, we aim to help ensure that no one is denied good-quality legal representation simply because of their financial position.


What is JustFund?

JustFund is Australia's first and only dedicated family law finance provider that partners with leading family law firms to make legal representation more accessible, especially for those facing financial hardship.

Accessing legal services can feel impossible when money is tight. Whether you're financially dependent on your partner, experiencing family violence, or managing a mortgage and daily living costs, the burden of legal fees can put justice out of reach. JustFund aims to remove that barrier by providing a flexible, affordable line of credit tailored to your legal case.

Funding with JustFund can be accessed at any stage of the separation process and is repaid only after your settlement. By simplifying access to legal finance, JustFund empowers people to move forward with confidence, dignity, and support when they need it most.

Four steps in a process: application, assessment, approval, and employment, with illustrations of people.

Who is eligible for funding?

JustFund's services only cover matters related to property settlements. Unfortunately, JustFund cannot cover cases that only involve parenting arrangements. However, if you're organising parenting and property matters simultaneously, JustFund can assist.


For more information on family law funding assistance, contact Des Moore, the head of KJB's family law team,

at des@kjblaw.com.au, or his personal assistant and senior paralegal, Tania Poidevin,

at tania@kjblaw.com.au, or call KJB on  (02) 6281 0999, or visit justfund.com.au.