JJ CaMeKa - an Aussie Dad's Website

For the recently separated, I'd highly recommend finding a copy and reading the book "Fathers
after Divorce", by Michael Green QC. The author himself has been through separation and has been
a involved in the Australian Family Law legal system for many years. Very informative and very well
worth the read. The book explains in plain English what to expect and gives very good advice on
what to do.

Don't EVER think "It won't happen to me". I didn't, and it did. FACT: Over 30% of marriages fail.

Document EVERYTHING! Trust no-one. Basically, if it is not recorded, it never happened. Keep
dated diaries and have them regularly signed by a person such as a Justice of the Peace, solicitor,
police officer, etc. IF you eventually have to go to court, you will find these invaluable.

Where possible, try and resolve problems with the other parent, otherwise enlist the services of
an unbiased family law mediator. If that fails, at least you have tried for the sake of the kids. The legal
system is based on conflict. Conflict is NOT best for children, and they should remain unaware and
away from ANY conflict.

Always remember - Kids love and want contact with BOTH parents. Most children are often too
young to fight for themselves for what they want. Be prepared to carry the fight for them so that they
may continue to know their father (or mother) if the other parent turns nasty and attempts to stop
contact between the children and the other parent. This does NOT mean by violence.

Be prepared to represent yourself in Family Court - while a solicitor maybe best to represent
the legal ignorant, they are normally not the best to represent your interests!

Hiring a legal representative - A legal representative has to REPRESENT you and your goals. If
your legal practitioner is not working for you - dismiss them. Either find one that will work for you or
learn to represent yourself. Do NOT let your legal representative tell YOU how to run your case -
they can only advise you on the best way to approach a case. The FINAL decision rests with YOU.

Be informed! Some Australian legal practitioners will not tell you there are two scales of fees - theirs
and the scale under the Australian Family Law Act. Failure by the legal practitioner to notify you of
this is a breach of Family Court Rules.