Family Lawyers Mackay, Brisbane & the Whitsundays
Family Lawyers Mackay, Brisbane & the Whitsundays
Separating from your partner can be one of the most stressful and challenging times in your life. There may be parenting arrangements to work out, property to be divided and other steps that need to be taken to protect your interests. McKays Solicitors approach each case with a commitment to helping you resolve your matter as soon as possible.
Experienced family and relationship law specialists
If you need to take a case to the Family Court, you want to ensure you are getting the best possible representation. So, what can you expect from us?
McKays Solicitors is the largest family law team in Mackay, having built a reputation on trust and high-quality legal services.
We will approach all family law matters by:
- taking the time to listen to you and understand your circumstances and needs
- providing clear, expert advice and helping you to make decisions
- ensuring that you understand the legal issues and our advice
- helping you to devise a strategy
- helping you to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family, as cost-effectively as possible
- handling your matter with care and sensitivity, with your best interests as a top priority
- always maintaining confidentiality — your file can be locked down so that it is visible only to those who need to access it
- being transparent and communicating with you in respect of our fees, so you know where you stand
Who we work with
We provide legal services in all areas of family law to clients with many different backgrounds and needs. We are dedicated to helping you navigate the legal process as efficiently as possible.
We offer an initial consultation to all new clients. We recommend obtaining this initial advice as early as possible in your dispute, even if that is prior to separation. Clients always tell us that they feel better after they have had their initial appointment.
Your appointments can occur in person at our Mackay, Whitsunday or Brisbane office, or by telephone or web conferencing – whatever works for you.
Our Support for Family Law Disputes
Our family law experts have the skills and experience to provide expert legal services in all areas of the family law system.
We handle everything from basic to complex property settlements, including complex entity structures, farming assets, inheritances, gifts, loans, trusts, taxation issues, financial support for children, maintenance, bankruptcy, family violence and allegations of wastage.
In certain (limited) circumstances, one party may be ordered to pay spousal maintenance to the other. The primary purpose of maintenance is to adjust for any disparity between the incomes or earning capacities of the parties. It is usually for a relatively short period. We provide advice on whether you are entitled to spousal maintenance or if we can assist you in responding to a request for spousal maintenance.
Decisions about where children live and how much time they spend with the other parent (or other significant adults) can be a topic where dispute arises after separation.
We have extensive experience in all aspects of parenting matters, including disputes about child custody, communication issues, substance abuse, family violence, relocation, abduction of children, recovery orders, arrangements for special occasions, paternity, and disputes about education or medical issues.
We assist with disputes about child support and the drafting of Binding Child Support Agreements. We will provide legal advice about your options when it comes to child support, with a focus on clarity and empathy. We assist with negotiations, offering solutions to suit your circumstances, mediation, and drafting Parenting Plans, Consent Orders and all Family Court Applications.
We offer assistance in applying for (or opposing) Applications for Protection Order (also known as Domestic Violence Orders) and breaches of Protection Orders. In addition to our family law team, McKays Solicitors has a team of expert domestic and family violence lawyers with extensive experience in all aspects of domestic and family violence, child protection, and criminal law.
Mediation is a form of Family Dispute Resolution that can assist you in resolving your matter out of the Family Court. Mediations can be used for all legal matters, including helping you and your former partner work out the parenting arrangements or how to divide the property, without the cost and expense of going through the Court process. Mediation is also compulsory in some circumstances before applying to the Family Court. We can represent you at the mediation for any legal matter. We also have an accredited mediator who can conduct a family law mediation for you and your former partner (provided that neither of you is already a client of the practice). For more information, please contact our office.
What makes us experienced family lawyers?
Our team is highly experienced in all aspects of family law, with some of our lawyers having in excess of 20 years of experience representing people in your circumstances. We have an Accredited Specialist (Family Law), an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, and an Australian National Accredited Mediator.
Experience across legal specialties
McKays Family Law is one department of a very large law firm, which means you also get the benefit of other teams who are experts in their field when you need that assistance, such as our conveyancing team, criminal law and family violence team, our company, trusts and taxation team, our wills and estate litigation team, to name some of them.
Training and community engagement
We focus on constantly upskilling, undergo continued professional development every year, and provide a level of service that rivals any senior family lawyer in Australia. Our family lawyers regularly serve on committees and boards, as well as volunteering with community-based organisations to provide free legal advice and legal aid as a service to the community.
Crossdisciplinary Cooperation
At McKays Solicitors, we understand that support extends beyond legal advice. We collaborate closely with your preferred advisors, including accountants, financial advisors, and superannuation and taxation specialists, to ensure the guidance you receive is tailored to your unique financial situation.
Our Family Law Experts
Nicole Cullen has practised law for over 20 years and is an expert in family law. Nicole attended James Cook University and Queensland University of Technology before moving to Mackay in 2000. She commenced a trainee solicitor program in 2000, was admitted as a solicitor in 2002, and has worked with McKays since October 2005. Nicole became the first female Principal of McKays in 2010 and is now a Director of the practice and manages the Family Law team across our Mackay and Brisbane offices. Nicole works in both our Mackay and Brisbane offices on a weekly basis.
As a Queensland Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist, Cathy specialises in helping clients with family law matters relating to the breakdown of both marriage and de facto relationships and also parenting matters such as the living arrangements and decision making for children. Cathy can also assist clients who are the victims of domestic violence by obtaining and utilising domestic violence protection orders.
Lucy is an Associate in the McKays Family Law team. Lucy completed her university studies (with first class honours) at Bond University and moved to Mackay in 2020 to commence her legal career. Since then, Lucy has practiced in family law and has experience in all areas from parenting to property matters and can guide you through the process from your initial consultation to the conclusion of your matter.
Elizabeth is an experienced family lawyer who assists clients with all aspects of family law disputes, including divorce and separation, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and family violence issues.
Where we service
We have offices in Mackay, Brisbane and the Whitsunday region . We frequently represent clients across Queensland, interstate, and internationally. Since family law is consistent throughout Australia, distance is no barrier.
We use the latest technology to facilitate virtual meetings and communications, allowing us to understand your needs and deliver exceptional services without requiring you to visit our Mackay, Whitsundayr Brisbane offices.
Why choose McKays Solicitors
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Experts in the Field
Our team of lawyers includes a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law, an Australian National Accredited Mediator, and a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Proven Results
We have a proven track record of delivering exceptional client outcomes across a variety of legal services, from basic to complex cases. Our expertise extends to successfully managing complex property matters, urgent protection orders, and high-stakes parenting disputes.
Years Of Experience
Our experienced family lawyers are skilled in handling a wide range of family law issues, providing independent legal advice tailored to your specific needs and situation.
Approachable & Empathetic
You will have an experienced family lawyer who is not only knowledgeable in their field but also genuinely committed to making the legal process as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We understand that navigating family law can be emotionally taxing, so we strive to support you every step of the way.
Comprehensive Family Law Services
We handle a wide range of family law matters, establishing ourselves as Mackay's leading law firm. Our legal services extend across Queensland, interstate, and internationally.
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Your initial consultation
We look forward to meeting new clients for an initial confidential consultation at our Mackay or Brisbane office, by phone, or via electronic means such as Webex, Zoom or Teams.
During this meeting, you will talk with one of our solicitors to gather information specific to your case. Our goal is to help you through the family law disputes process and reduce as much stress as possible. We will listen to your situation and advise you clearly on your rights and options.
Our clients always comment that they feel far less stressed after the initial consultation, which is our goal: to assist you in making informed decisions about your future.
What To Bring To Your Consultation
You do not need to bring anything specific to your initial consultation with us, especially if it's difficult or time-consuming for you to gather everything before your first appointment. However, if you have any of the following information available to you, we suggest that you bring it with you or email it to us before your appointment.
Financial Matters
If possible, please prepare a basic list of assets and liabilities owned by either party, including current balances for bank accounts, loans, mortgages and other financial agreements (estimated values will be sufficient for the initial appointment).
In addition, your most recent tax return, superannuation statement, and a pay slip would be helpful.
Parenting Matters
If possible, please provide copies of previous orders and agreements (if any).
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Protect Your Future With McKays Solicitors
Choosing the right legal representation or advice can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Our large team of experienced family lawyers listens to you to gain a full understanding of your needs and keeps you fully informed of your options, rights, and responsibilities. We focus on timely resolution without the need for Court involvement and, if necessary, provide tireless representation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Seek legal advice from us today for expert guidance on your family law matter.
