De Facto Relationships
How we advice you on your de facto relationship
Registering a de facto relationship
- Legal advice to your de facto relationship status
- Most states and territories allow you to register a de facto relationship through the state’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This provides you with a certificate which can be used as proof of the de facto relationship
- A registered relationship or civil union may also create rights for property division
Breakdown of a de facto relationship
There are matters regarding the division of property or children. Upon the breakdown of a de facto relationship, there are three ways to sort out how to divide property:
- By agreement without court involvement;
- Through an agreement formalised by the court through an application for Consent Orders
- By applying to the court for orders.
Rights to court orders
Most Australian states and territories allow people to apply to either the Family Court or the Federal Circuit Court for a de facto relationship, however in Western Australia, you need to apply to the Family Court of Western Australia to resolve issues relating to children or property.
Death of a de facto partner
If you are considering to be in a relationship and your partner dies, then you have the same rights as a married person. These rights may involve:
- A share of an estate where no Will exists
- The right to challenge the Will if inadequate
- Receive compensation entitlements under workers compensation law if your partner dies during the course of employment
- Claim social security entitlements.
Not sure about your case? Just give us a call
- Your rights and obligations during and after divorce or separation
- Children matters
- Financial and property matters
- Alternatives to court
- Divorce or separation process
- Going to court
Legal Publishes

How to talk to your spouse’s family lawyer through a divorce?
Family lawyers at Doconade Laywers prefer working in harmony. Lay your trust in us and our team will do our best to make you enjoy our companion.

What do I need to consider for children upon divorce?
Like adults, children react in different ways to separation or divorce, depending on the child’s age, temperament and the level of cooperation or conflict between the parents

How to control legal costs in your divorce or separation
Separating is never an easy decision, even emotionally painful. It might be very difficult for you to keep a level head during this time to look at expenses charged for your divorce and things even get more stressful when the budget is also one of your biggest concerns

Facebook and social media are not alliances in a divorce process
What you say on Facebook, in a text, in an e-mail, or on any other social networking site can be used as evidence against you