Family

Navigating relationships, breakdowns, parenting, post-separation arrangements and financial relationships

Helping our clients take control of their circumstances and move forward with their lives.

The breakdown of a relationship can be a stressful and confusing time. It is often the first time many people have worked with lawyers which can be daunting.

Our team has the experience to help you understand your options, know your rights and work towards the best outcome for you and your family in your circumstances.

Recognising that each of our clients have different needs and objectives, we assist individuals with complex business and property structures and those with smaller property pools who require help to work out a simple division of property, parenting arrangements or parenting plans for their children.

Our lawyers have completed Mediation and Dispute Resolution training and gained advanced training in Family and Collaborative Law. This means we can help you explore alternate pathways involving non-adversarial and more cost-effective methods of dispute resolution, helping clients avoid expensive and lengthy court processes where possible.

When matters cannot be resolved using alternative dispute resolution, our team of highly skilled and experienced litigators can help clients navigate through the sometimes difficult territory of the court process.

We support clients through the process of decision making around relationship and family issues to deliver the best result possible for them and their loved ones.

Whenever your personal situation changes – we’re with you.

Find An Expert

Nichola Di Muzio
Nichola Di Muzio
 Special Counsel Ph: +61 7 3231 8827 Email: ndimuzio@thymac.com.au
Andrew McCormack
Andrew McCormack
 Special Counsel Ph: +61 7 3231 8859 Email: amccormack@thymac.com.au

News & Insights

Companion animals and family separation

Companion animals and family separation

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Best Lawyers Australia recognises Michael Fisher, Matthew Hockaday and Alex Ramsey as Lawyers of the Year

Best Lawyers Australia recognises Michael Fisher, Matthew Hockaday and Alex Ramsey as Lawyers of the Year

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“Safer, simpler and fairer for separating families” legislative amendments tabled in Parliament

“Safer, simpler and fairer for separating families” legislative amendments tabled in Parliament

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Family farming – the next generation

Family farming – the next generation

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Andrew McCormack of Thynne and Macartney was highly recommended to me by a Barrister I know and trust. I had previously dealt with two other law firms over a six-month period who just weren’t making any progress with my matter.

 

I was looking for a representative who could provide accurate advice and set realistic goals to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Andrew was able to take the emotion out of the situation while dealing with the opposing solicitor while showing empathy for my situation.

 

From the very first correspondence, Andrew had with the opposing firm; it was obvious he was seriously efficient and was not going to engage in anything that did not relate to our core objectives of achieving a settlement with class and dignity.

Family Law Client (March 2021)

Learn more with our free Family Separation e-Book

 

Download now

 

Two of our family lawyers are Accredited Specialists

Nichola Di Muzio and Andrew McCormack are Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialists in Family Law.

Accredited Specialists are lawyers who have successfully completed an advanced, peer-reviewed assessment program specific to their area of expertise, demonstrating their high level of knowledge and skills in that area.

Only lawyers, not law practices, can be Accredited Specialists.

Learn more about Nichola   Learn more about Andrew

Relationships – How we can help

Matrimonial property matters

  • Trusts
  • Companies
  • Family partnerships
  • Cross-border issues
  • Rural properties with farming enterprises

Financial agreements 

  • Resolve your property settlement privately without going to court

Asset planning agreements | pre-nuptial agreements

  • Protect your assets if you remarry or enter into a new relationship
  • For married, de facto and same sex couples, or for those contemplating new relationships

Divorces and property settlements

  • Whether significant assets are held or smaller property pools such as a small business and single major asset such as a residential property

Domestic violence protection orders

  • Court representation for clients who are applying for or defending domestic violence protection orders

Third party issues

  • For situations where clients might become involved in disputes involving:
    • business partners, or
    • families

Second opinions about your situation

  • Getting an opinion from a family law specialist
  • Advice on your entitlements at law

Divorce coaching

  • Advice and assistance to allow you to take control
  • Limited scope retainers for specific advice

Future financial support 

  • For those with financial obligations for their spouse and children, including spousal maintenance and child support

Families – How we can help

Child support

  • Child support agreements and child maintenance trusts
  • Child support disputes including changes of assessment and private enforcement

Future financial support 

  • For those with financial obligations for their spouse and children, including spousal maintenance and child support

Child protection matters

  • Where children have been:
    • abused
    • neglected
    • placed into foster/kinship care arrangements by welfare authorities

Surrogacy, adoption and paternity issues

  • Altruistic surrogacy arrangements and agreements
  • Transfer of parentage between surrogates and parents
  • Adoption and parentage/paternity issues

Parenting plans, arrangements and Parenting Orders

  • Developing parenting plans or agreements on parenting arrangements or Parenting Orders

Relocation disputes

  • Where one party wants to move overseas or inter-state with the children

Recovery of children

  • Intra- and inter-state recovery of children
  • Overseas child abduction cases under the Hague Convention

Domestic violence protection orders

  • Court representation for clients who are applying for or defending domestic violence protection orders

Third party issues

  • For situations where clients might become involved in disputes involving:
    • business partners, or
    • families

Divorce coaching

  • Advice and assistance to allow you to take control
  • Limited scope retainers for specific advice

Future financial support 

  • For those with financial obligations for their spouse and children, including spousal maintenance and child support

Second opinions about your situation

  • Getting an opinion from a family law specialist
  • Advice on your entitlements at law

It was important to me that I did not lower my standards during [my] dispute while at the same time being represented by a strong, efficient, very well organised solicitor. The standard of correspondence and advice provided [by Andrew McCormack] was first class and far above that of the previous two firms I had engaged.

 

The net result was that after about six months of letters going back and forwards between other firms, Andrew was able to achieve a settlement for me in a very short period of time without the need for litigation or mediation. His representation has allowed me to move on with my life quickly and allowed me to look back and say I dealt with the breakdown of my marriage without dropping my standards which I’ll always be grateful for.

 

Andrew was recommended as someone who is very experienced, knowledgeable and efficient, yet someone who is not afraid of a fight if that’s required. That’s exactly what I received with Andrew and is something I’ll be forever grateful for.

Family Law Client (March 2021)

Awards & Recognition

Best Lawyers

Family

  • Nichola Di Muzio – (2019-2024 & 2026)

Family Law Mediation

  • Nichola Di Muzio – (2020-2024, 2026)