Separation and parenting arrangements

This video provides basic legal information about family law, including separation, parenting arrangements, dividing property and mediation. It is the part of a series of videos about the law for people who have recently arrived in Australia. See more videos at What's the law?

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Transcript

Text: Family law

[An image shows of a couple—a man, Yohani, in a suit with his arms crossed while his wife, Maria, stands sternly in the background with her hands on her hips. Maria looks disapprovingly at Yohani.]

Maria: She’s always complaining I don’t give her enough money.

[Vision changes to an image of Yohani standing behind Maria in a suburban kitchen. The couple look equally displeased.]

Maria: He’s always complaining I don’t cook the food he likes.

[Vision changes to an image of Yohani sitting at a table with a man. The man is gesturing in a posture indicative of explanation.]

Man: The children need a loving family.

[Vision changes to an image of Maria sitting at a table with an older woman. The woman’s posture suggests she is giving advice.]

Woman: You should listen to your husband.

[Vision changes to an image of Yohani sitting at a table with a man. The man is gesturing in a posture indicative of explanation.]

Man: You should listen to your wife and help her.

[Vision changes to a split-screen image of two women talking on telephones, Maria on the left and her friend Sora on the right of screen.]

Maria: Sora, it was OK for a while, but now we are always fighting. I don’t want to live with him any more. But I’m afraid I’ll lose my children. And I won’t have enough money.

[Vision changes to a close-up split-screen image of Maria and Sora talking on the telephone.]

Sora: I think the law’s different here in Australia. You need to talk to a lawyer.

[Vision changes to an image of the reception of Legal Aid through glass doors. A sign on the doors reads “Legal Aid Lawyers And Services”.]

[Vision changes to an image of Maria gesturing across a desk to an unseen person.]

Maria: What happens if I want a divorce?

[Vision changes to an image of a young female lawyer from Legal Aid sitting across from Maria and listening to her problems.]

Maria’s lawyer: You must be separated for at least 12 months, and you can get a divorce even if your husband doesn’t want one.

[Vision changes to an image of Maria as she receives advice.]

Maria: And what will happen to my children?

[Vision changes back to an image of the lawyer sitting across from Maria and giving legal advice.]

Maria’s lawyer: The law says children have the right to see both parents, as long as they are safe. And both parents should work together to make important decisions about their children.

[Vision changes to an image of Maria thoughtfully holding her chin as she listens to the lawyer’s advice.]

Maria: What about money? How will we live?

Maria’s lawyer: We can talk about that now.

[Vision fades to black.]

[An image shows of Yohani receiving advice from a middle-aged female lawyer at Legal Aid.]

Lawyer: The law is the same for men and women.