In the context of family law disputes in Australia, a sealed consent order is a legally binding agreement that the court has approved and stamped (sealed).
It finalises arrangements between separate parties, covering aspects such as children, parenting, finances, property, superannuation splitting, and spousal maintenance.
All parties involved must abide by this order once the court has sealed it, making it enforceable like any other court order.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Sealed consent orders provide a legally enforceable method to finalise agreements in family law disputes, covering various issues from child care to financial settlements.
Benefits of Sealed Consent Orders
Obtaining sealed consent orders brings certainty and legal finality to arrangements post-separation. In parenting matters, it ensures agreed-upon time with children, and for property settlements, it ends the financial relationship between the parties, allowing them to move on with their lives.
Using consent orders to split superannuation is also common. For the court to approve consent orders, they must be fair and just.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Consent orders offer certainty and closure in post-separation arrangements, including parenting and financial settlements.
Also read: How to Get a Consent Order
Parenting and Property Consent Orders
Consent orders can distinctly handle parenting and property issues:
- Parenting Consent Orders include arrangements about parental responsibilities, children’s living arrangements, schooling, religious upbringing, and other relevant care aspects. These orders require careful drafting and court approval to ensure they serve the children’s best interests.
- Property Consent Orders deal with asset distribution, including real estate, personal property, superannuation splitting, and debt allocation. These orders are more complex due to the need for full financial disclosure and potential third-party involvement, like superannuation fund trustees.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Parenting and property consent orders address specific aspects of post-separation arrangements, requiring detailed and accurate drafting.
The Process of Obtaining Sealed Consent Orders
Obtaining sealed consent orders involves several steps:
- Mutual Disclosure and Negotiations: Initial discussions and negotiations to reach an agreement.
- Drafting Documentation: Technical drafting of consent orders and necessary supporting documents.
- Procedural Fairness in Super Splitting: Additional steps for superannuation splitting, including obtaining formal valuations and trustee consent.
- Filing at Court: Submission of documents to the court through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
- Receiving Sealed Orders: Awaiting the court’s review typically takes four to six weeks.
🔑 Key Takeaway: The process of obtaining sealed consent orders is systematic, involving negotiation, careful drafting, and court submission.
Handling Requisitions and Timeframes
The court may send back requisitions if the proposed orders are not satisfactory. Addressing these requisitions promptly is crucial to avoiding the dismissal of the orders.
It’s essential to apply for consent orders within 12 months of divorce or two years after a de facto relationship ends. Failing to reach an agreement within these timeframes necessitates court proceedings.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Timely response to court requisitions and adherence to application deadlines are critical in the consent order process.
Breaching Sealed Consent Orders
Breaching sealed consent orders can have legal consequences. A contravention application may be filed for parenting orders, while financial order breaches might lead to dispute resolution or court enforcement orders.
It’s essential to understand that consent orders are binding and should be followed diligently.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Compliance with sealed consent orders is mandatory, with legal avenues available to address breaches.
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Can Consent Orders be Changed?
Changing sealed consent orders is possible but can be limited. For parenting orders, changes require mutual consent or court approval upon significant circumstantial changes.
Financial and property order amendments are also restrictive, reflecting the court’s view of finality in such settlements.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Alterations to sealed consent orders are subject to strict conditions and often require court intervention.
Seek Professional Legal Advice
Sealed consent orders are crucial in providing legal closure to family law disputes in Australia. Understanding the process, adhering to the terms, and recognising the limitations of these orders are vital for parties involved in separation or divorce.
Seeking professional legal advice is highly recommended to navigate this complex area effectively.
