Family Law Court

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Prepared. Strategic. Court-Ready.

Not every family law matter can be resolved by agreement.

When Court proceedings become necessary, preparation and disciplined advocacy matter.

Both partners of Bryant McKinnon Lawyers are Accredited Specialist Family Lawyers with extensive experience conducting parenting and property matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

We understand how judges assess evidence, how risks are evaluated, and how procedural missteps can affect outcomes.

If you require an experienced family court lawyer to represent you in litigation, we provide clear advice and strong, measured advocacy.

We work transparently, often on a fixed fee basis for defined stages of proceedings.

How Can We Help

Court proceedings require structure, strategy and careful preparation.

We assist with:

  • Advising you before proceedings are commenced
  • Preparing Initiating Applications and Responses
  • Drafting affidavits and supporting material
  • Managing disclosure obligations
  • Representing you at interim hearings
  • Preparing for and attending dispute resolution events
  • Conducting final hearings
  • Advising on appeals where appropriate

We approach litigation strategically. That includes advising you when settlement is sensible — and when it is not.

Start With a Preliminary Consultation

You do not need to be in Court to seek advice.

Many clients come to us when they are considering whether proceedings are necessary, or when they have received Court documents and are unsure what to do next.

In a preliminary consultation, we will help you understand:

  • Whether Court action is required
  • The strengths and weaknesses of your case
  • The procedural steps involved
  • The likely timeframe
  • The costs at each stage

Clear advice at the outset allows you to make informed decisions before matters escalate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all family law matters go to Court?

No. Most disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation.

However, Court may be necessary where agreement cannot be reached, where there are urgent concerns, or where compliance is required.

How long do family law Court proceedings take?

Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the matter and the Court’s timetable.

We will provide realistic guidance based on your specific circumstances.

What areas do you service?

Family law is federal law (with the exception of WA). We can act for clients anywhere in Australia.

Our offices are located in Coffs Harbour and Bellingen. We regularly assist clients across the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions, including Kempsey, Taree, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Sawtell, Urunga, Woolgoolga, Grafton, Lismore, Casino, Ballina and Byron Bay.

Many Court appearances can be conducted electronically where appropriate.

How do your fixed fees work?

Where possible, we scope stages of litigation and provide a fixed fee for defined work. You know what is included and what it will cost.

If circumstances change, we discuss it with you before additional work is undertaken.

Where can I read more detailed information?

For further guidance, please see our:

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