Experienced De Facto Relationship Lawyers in Perth & Brisbane

De facto relationships in Australia are subject to the provisions of the Family Law Act. This legislation defines that a de facto relationship has existed where “you and your former partner, who may be of the same or opposite sex, had a relationship as a couple living together on a genuine domestic basis”. 

However, a de facto relationship does not exist if you or your partner are legally married to each other or are otherwise related by family. 

In Australia, you and your former de facto partner have the legal right to have parenting or custody arrangements legally determined by the Family Court if necessary, just like married couples can when they separate or divorce.

You can also have a financial dispute with your former de facto partner settled by the Family Court in the same way that married couples do when separating or divorcing. 

However, you must meet ONE of the following additional eligibility criteria before applying for the court to resolve your financial dispute with your ex-de facto partner:

1. You were in the relationship for at least two years.
2. There is at least one child of the relationship.
3. The relationship was registered in any Australian State or Territory.
4. One of the partners in the relationship made a significant financial contribution to the relationship, and failure to issue a legal financial order would result in an injustice.