I often am asked this question by clients.
The first consideration is to look at the Family Law Act and the judgments the Court has made. The Court has determined that when considering property orders it must be done in accordance with Section 79 and section 75(2) of the Family Law Act 1975.
The considerations under section 79 are:
a. a determination must be fair considering all of the circumstances of the relationship;
b. the financial and non-financial contribution of the parties;
c. the contributions made as homemaker and childcaring;
d. the effect of any order on the capacity of a party to earn a living;
e. the effect of child support upon a party; and
f. the matters as set out in section 75(2).
The considerations under 75(2) are:
a. The health both physically and mentally of the parties in relation to being able to work to support themselves;
b. the income, assets and financial position of a party and whether he or she needs to bring up a child under 18 years;
c. the responsibilities of a party to support a person they have a duty towards;
d. whether the court should make allowances to enable a party to maintain a reasonable standard of living;
e. the debts of a party;
f. whether maintenance payments are required to allow a party to undertake education or training to allow them to obtain the skills to return to the workforce and the time that a party has given up employment to be a homemaker and parent;
g. whether there is a binding financial agreement;
h. any other fact that the court needs to consider to ensure a fair outcome.
To enable the court to decide how to divide the assets of the marriage, the parties have an obligation to complete a financial statement setting out honestly and clearly, their financial position. This requirement is necessary for the court to perform its duties. It is always in the best interests of the parties to settle any property dispute where possible. In negotiation, it is often not possible for either party to get what they want. The best result will be where both parties can live with a settlement and not have the court decide for them as they are the only persons who are fully aware of their situation. A court can only decide on the information that it has been given.
If the parties are unable to settle the matter after a pre-trial conciliation process then the parties will prepare for a hearing. Each party will file its evidence and then be reading to be cross-examined by the other party’s lawyer. This can be harrowing and exhausting as each party will try to discount the other’s version of events. It is something to be avoided where possible.
The court in making its decision will proceed by a 4-step process:
1. Identify the net value of the property of the parties;
2. Consider the financial contribution of the parties both financial and non-financial such as child-rearing and housework;
3. The superannuation entitlements of the parties, who will have care of the children and the financial commitments of the parties; and
4. In all of the circumstances whether such orders are fair and reasonable.
The non-financial contributions such as housework and childrearing enable the other party to work and enhance their earning capacity. This contribution in all fairness must be considered. Another factor that must be considered is where one party has supported the family to allow the other to study to improve their earning capacity. In such circumstances, the financial contribution must be considered along with the greater earning capacity derived from that study.
The Court is able to consider property comprising the family pool either on a property by property basis or what is commonly called the erosion principle where assets are over time absorbed into the family asset pool, or both. Whilst time periods are not set in stone if your marriage or de facto relationship is:
i. about 5-6 years, often termed a short relationship, the erosion principle usually has a minimal effect;
ii. about 7-12 years, often termed a medium relationship, the erosion principle usually has a greater effect; and
iii. over about 12 years, often termed a long relationship, the erosion effect may have a defining effect.
As each relationship is different, with different treatment of assets. It is only by examining the individual situation and how each asset was acquired and treated, can an estimate of how the court will treat the assets, can an assessment be made. This assessment must be only considered knowing the full circumstances surrounding the treatment of the asset. As each case is determined on individual assessment the court has on occasion considered eth erosion principle to have a great effect in what normally would be considered a short marriage whilst it has found in long marriages extending over decades the erosion effect to have minimal effect.
All in all, it must be remembered that the Family Courts must in all of the circumstances treat each relationship on its merits and achieve a fair and equitable result. It is a court of fairness as much as a court can achieve on the basis of the evidence that has been placed before it.
If you or anyone you know is in a situation where property orders are required and need further advice, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Regards,
Jeffrey
0419 233 670
[email protected]
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早上好，
客户经常问我这个问题。
首先要考虑的是《家庭法》和法院作出的判决。法院必须根据1975年《家庭法》第79条和第75（2）节的规定，对财产进行裁定。
第79条规定的考虑因素包括：
a. 考虑到关系中的所有情况，决定必须是公平的；
b. 双方的财政和非财政贡献；
c. 作为家庭主妇和照顾孩子的贡献；
d. 任何命令对一方谋生能力的影响；
e. 子女抚养对一方当事人的影响；以及
f. 第75（2）条所列事项。
75（2）项下的考虑因素包括：
a. 双方的身体和精神上的健康状况，是否能够工作养活自己；
b. 一方的收入、资产和财务状况，以及是否需要抚养未满18岁的子女；
c. 一方是否担负资助其他人的责任；
d. 法院是否应给予考虑使当事人能够维持合理的生活水平津贴；
e. 一方的债务；
f 是否需要支付赡养费以使一方接受教育或培训，使其获得重返工作岗位的技能，以及一方放弃事业成为家庭主妇和父母的时间；
g. 是否有具有约束力的财务协议；
h. 法院为确保结果公正而需要考虑的任何其他事实。
为了使法院能够决定如何分割婚姻财产，双方有义务填写一份财务报表，如实、清楚地列明各自的财务状况。这一要求是法院履行职责的必要条件。在可能的情况下解决任何财产纠纷总是符合双方的最大利益。在谈判中，任何一方都有可能得不到他们想要的东西。最好的结果是双方都能达成和解，法院不用为他们作出裁决，因为他们是唯一完全了解他们情况的人。法院只能根据所提供的信息作出裁决。
如果当事方在预审调解程序后无法解决问题，则双方将准备举行听证会。每一方都将提交证据，然后由另一方的律师进行质证。这可能是令人痛心和疲惫的，因为每一方都会试图贬低对方对事件的看法。如果可能的话，这是应该避免的。
法院在作出裁决时将分四步进行：
1. 确定当事人财产的净值；
2. 考虑双方的经济贡献，包括抚养子女和家务劳动；
3. 照顾子女的当事人的退休金待遇和双方的经济承诺
4. 在任何情况下，该命令是否公平合理。
家务劳动、抚养子女等非经济性贡献，使对方能够工作，提高收入能力。必须公平地考虑这一贡献。另一个必须考虑的因素是一方支持家庭，允许另一方学习以提高收入能力。在这种情况下，必须考虑财政捐助以及从该学习中获得的更大的收入能力。
法院可以考虑组成家庭资产池的财产，要么逐个分割财产，要么通常称为侵蚀原则，即资产随着时间的推移被吸收到家庭资产池中，或者两者兼而有之。如果你的婚姻或事实上的关系是：
i. 大约5-6年，通常被称为短期关系，侵蚀原理通常影响最小；
ii. 大约7-12年，通常被称为中等关系，侵蚀原理通常具有更大的影响；以及
ii. 大于12年，通常被称为长期关系，侵蚀效应可能会产生决定性的影响。
由于每种关系都不同，对资产的处理也不同。只有审查个别情况以及每项资产是如何获得和处理的，才能估计法院将如何处理这些资产，才能作出评估。只有在了解资产处理的全部情况后，才能考虑进行此评估。由于每个案件都是根据各自情况评估决定的，法院会认为侵蚀原则对通常被视为短婚的婚姻的影响，和长达几十年的长期婚姻中的影响相比，侵蚀效应的影响微乎其微。
总而言之，必须记住，在任何情况下，家庭法院必须根据每一种关系的是非曲直来对待每一种关系，并取得公正和公平的结果。它是一个公正的法庭，只要法庭能根据摆在它面前的证据来实现。
如果您或您认识的任何人需要进行财产分割，并提供进一步的指导建议的话，请随时联系我。
此致，
蔡福荣Jeffrey
0419 233 670
[email protected]
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If you need help regarding Divorce and Property Settlement in Sydney, NSW please make an appointment by ringing me on my mobile or emailing me. I am available during office hours at my city office or after hours and weekends at my Riverwood office.
