A practical resource designed to help victim-survivors and their families understand their legal options and stay safe.

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A person may apply for a grant of legal aid which is used to pay a lawyer to help them with a legal problem.

The law prefers that couples work through all details of their separation without involving the court. However, a court to make a decision separated couples can’t agree.

If there is an allegation of family violence in a family law case the court may tell you that there is a ban on personal cross-examination. This means that cross-examination of the other party must be conducted by a lawyer representing you.  Information for legal practitioners:

Child Support Agency will need to know who the law determines the father of a child is if a claim of child support is going to be made. Sometime a court will confirm this from the results of a DNA test.

Family Dispute Resolution is a way of trying to fix family law problems through mediation instead of going to court. Mediation is when people try to solve a problem or disagreement with the help of anindependent person.

A court can appoint an Independent Children’s Lawyer for a child whose parents are going through the family law system.

In family law cases that involve children, the court will look for the best interests of the child.

When a relationship ends there are laws to follow about arrangements for any child under 18.

Restraint orders act as a strong warning to stop someone doing something that is harmful to another person. 

The Safe at Home Program is a Tasmanian Government response to family violence. This program involves a range of services working together, to protect and support victims of family violence, including young people and children.