Family Law Reforms

Family Law Reforms

The current system in place is fundamentally broken.

The worst time to try and sort out a relationship’s assets and care of the children is after the relationship ends. There is so much emotion and often anger, that clouds people’s ability to act reasonably.

We need to change how we address this issue so all parties are treated fairly, especially the children.

To this end, the BPA announces its Family Law Reform Policy.

Firstly, and most importantly, we need to ensure that Children of a relationship are not treated as “Pawns” or” Leverage” when dealing with this issue. The children didn’t ask to be born, and as parents, both sides need to take responsibility and share the caring of the children.

We need to change the idea that someone has to “Win”, in reality nobody wins when a relationship ends, especially the children.

Key points of the Policy are;

1. “Statement of Position” completed at the beginning of a relationship.

2. A “Settler” is appointed to settle the relationship’s assets if the relationship ends, in a fair and equitable manner.

3. Both parents share custody of the children of the relationship equally, week on week off from 6pm Friday to 6pm Friday

4. Both Parents will make equal effort to ensure that the weekly changeover of the children is completed fairly.

5. Settler can be asked to re-investigate the assets of the relationship, without a court order for up to 10 years after the relationship ends.

6. Hidden Assets/Income not declared by either party of the relationship will allocated 75% against the non-compliant person.

7. Conditions of Child Custody and Asset disposal can be varied only when both parties to the relationship agree.

8. Either part to the Relationship can apply to the Family Law Courts if they dispute the split of the Assets allocated by the Settler.

There will be always cases that require special treatment and determination by the courts and this policy will not interfere with that process.

By appointing an independent Settler, for the vast majority of Couples, it eliminates the combative/conflict mentality that currently exists in this process. 

Settlers can be Solicitors, Accountants or similarly qualified persons.