By Melissa Hine – Special Counsel
A number of forms have been amended as a result of the commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 and the Family Law (Information Sharing) Act 2023 (Family Law Amendments).
In some of the forms, the references to the sections of the Family Law Act have been updated to reflect to the recent changes to the law. In others, there have been some updates to the layout of the forms, information sought and some minor changes to words in the instruction pages and new questions added.
The forms that have been updated pursuant to the Family Law Amendments are as follows
- Annexure to Proposed Consent Parenting Order (Current Case)
- Application – Contravention
- Application – Enforcement
- Certificate of Readiness
- Confidential Case Outline Document (Dispute Resolution)
- Consent Orders Kit (Application for Consent Orders)
- Divorce service Kit
- Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk
- Outline of Case Document (Final Hearing)
- Subpoena in an arbitration
- Subpoena – Family Law
- Warrant of arrest
- Certificate of Dispute Resolution
Use of new forms
There is no grace period for the following forms, the new forms must be used from 6 May 2024:
- Annexure to Proposed Consent Parenting Order (Current Case).
- Application – Contravention
- Application – Enforcement and
- Application for Consent Orders (if parenting orders are sought).
All other forms may be used during a one month grace period up until close of filing on 7 June 2024. Even though there is a period when some of the old forms will be accepted by the Court, we recommend only the new forms be used now.
Parents who have filed Applications for Consent Orders seeking parenting orders prior to 6 May 2024 might be required to provide additional information to the Court by way of affidavit or a jointly signed minute of orders sought, if their Application referred to the old laws.
Need assistance?
If you need assistance with the new forms or with your family law property and/or parenting settlement, please call us on 03 8672 5222 to arrange an appointment with one of our family lawyers.
