Harman & Co deal with all matters relating to or arising from relationships.
We provide specialised advice and assistance in all relationship disputes including:
Children?s Arrangements ? resolving what time your children will spend with the important people in their lives, planning future arrangements and ensuring that children?s needs are met; Property Adjustment ? On ending a relationship we can provide advice and assistance in dividing assets; Cohabitation and Pre Nuptial Agreements ? to clarify arrangements for the future Urgent & Interim applications ? to protect your children?s best interests or your assets; Domestic Violence and Personal Protection ? to ensure that you are safe and your personal rights protected; Child support, maintenance and other financial assistance; Divorce Children's Court Welfare Jurisdiction ? children's proceedings in State Children's Courts involving the Department of Community Services Mediation & Arbitration Child representation (although this is Court Ordered and arranged through the NSW Legal Aid Commission regarding than on direct instructions from clients) Education and Training in Family Law and related areas Advice or Court Representation? Harman & Co have a strong commitment to the resolution of disputes and the most appropriate means. In the vast majority of cases this will not involve Court.
We provide general and detailed advice to parties regarding their legal position, their rights, obligations and responsibilities and the options available to them to try and resolve their dispute without the need for Court intervention.
We are happy to assist clients in a variety of ways and from "one off" consultations to give advice to acting for and representing parties throughout proceedings.
If matters are taken to Court then it is still possible for your matter to be resolved. The Court process is designed to afford opportunities for discussion, negotiation and resolution and we will assist you in maximising these opportunities.
If your matter cannot be resolved and requires determination by the Court then we provide excellent, expert representation at Court including through the conduct of matters by solicitors within our firm or through retaining Barristers to appear on your behalf if this is necessary, appropriate or your wish".
We can also assist with:
Your Will or refinance; and Referrals to other legal and non-legal specialists We undertake work from a wide range of referrals including former clients, other solicitors and barristers, the Hawkesbury Nepean and Blue Mountains Community Legal Centres, Mental Health Advocacy Service, Women's Legal Resource Centre, Burnside, Penrith Court Support Duty Roster and other local community agencies.
We are proud that nearly all of our work comes by way of referral from clients and other parties and agencies that we have dealt with in the past. We feel that this is a reflection of the courteous and professional manner in which we deal with all and a recognition of our skill and expertise in dealing with family law disputes.
Mediation & Arbitration Our firm has been involved in mediation through the Legal Aid Commission Conferencing program since the inception of that program in the early 1990's. We have staff who are accredited by the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators to provide private mediation and arbitration services. Indeed, our Joe Harman, is the only suburban solicitor west of Parramatta who is accredited by the Law Council to act as an arbitrator in family law disputes.
We also do private mediation ? See the downloads below for further information regarding mediation and costs.
Training, Education & Consultancy We are involved in a number of programs and initiatives to provide community education as well as education to the legal profession and other professions working with family law disputes.
Any particular events that are planned by us in the future can be viewed on this website on the News & Events page.
The expertise of our staff is otherwise recognised through our appointment to a number of committees, training panels and the like including:
Law Council National Child Representation Training Panel Law Council National Children's Cases Program Workshop Training Panel Law Council Family Law Section re General Representative We have provided training and participated in training and continuing legal education workshops through:
Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal Centre Burnside Father's Support Service Unifam Anglicare Lexis Nexis CCH Law Council of Australia