By Tara Grant - 2 Jul 2012
On 1 July 2012 a new fee regime was introduced in the family
court for division of assets and child care arrangements.
Prior to 1 July, the only fees in the family court were for
dissolution of marriage.
An application relating to child care arrangements will now cost
a flat fee of $220 with no hearing costs. While an application
relating to the division of assets will cost $700. There is
also a hearing fee of $906 for each half day.
The family court operates a system of counselling, mediation and
as a last resort, a court hearing. The new fees are intended
to deter couples from bringing Court action. In some cases
however it is impossible for matters to be resolved without the
court's assistance and for those in that unenviable situation,
these court costs are going to add further financial strain.