Parker Coles Curtis Lawyers

Parker Coles Curtis Lawyers Family Lawyers

One night. A powerful purpose. šŸ¤This winter, our Director, Catherine Coles, will be taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleep...
04/06/2026

One night. A powerful purpose. šŸ¤

This winter, our Director, Catherine Coles, will be taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to help raise awareness and vital funds for Australians experiencing homelessness.

Through her work in family law, Catherine sees firsthand how quickly life can change. For many women, homelessness doesn’t begin with a lifetime of disadvantage. It can begin after a separation, a loss of financial security, or a major life transition that leaves them and their children facing an uncertain future.

Increasingly, women, particularly those rebuilding after separation are among the fastest growing groups at risk of homelessness in Australia.

The CEO Sleepout is an opportunity to shine a light on these hidden stories and support organisations like the St Vincent de Paul Society, who provide critical services including emergency accommodation, meals, support and pathways to stability.

While Catherine will spend just one cold winter night outside, thousands of Australians face that reality every night.

We are incredibly proud to support Catherine as she uses her voice to advocate for women, children and families who need it most.

As Catherine says:
ā€œFor the women quietly starting again, and the children who deserve stability, I’m sleeping out to raise awareness and help create real change.ā€

If you would like to support Catherine’s fundraising efforts, every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference.

šŸ¤ Donate here: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/catherinecoles

04/06/2026

Two short weeks back to back….there’s a lot to fit in…

ā€œWhy don’t they just leave?ā€It’s a question many people ask, but the reality of abusive relationships is often far more ...
29/05/2026

ā€œWhy don’t they just leave?ā€
It’s a question many people ask, but the reality of abusive relationships is often far more complex.

Family and domestic violence is not always physical.
It can include coercive control, emotional abuse, financial control, isolation and intimidation.

If you’re worried somebody you care about may be in an abusive relationship, here are a few gentle ways you can support them:

šŸ¤ Check in regularly without pressure
šŸ¤ Create a safe, judgement-free space
šŸ¤ Avoid criticising their partner aggressively
šŸ¤ Don’t ask ā€œwhy don’t you just leave?ā€
šŸ¤ Help them reconnect with support networks
šŸ¤ Offer practical support where safe to do so
šŸ¤ Encourage professional support and safe exit planning

Most importantly, remind them they are not alone.

Leaving an abusive relationship can take time, planning, support and enormous courage. Often, compassion and consistency can make more of a difference than you realise.

We’ve shared more information, warning signs and practical support tips in our latest blog.

https://parkercolescurtis.com.au/blog/i-think-someone-i-love-is-in-an-abusive-relationship

Most people don’t picture homelessness when they think of women in their 30s, 40s or 50s.But for many, it begins quietly...
28/05/2026

Most people don’t picture homelessness when they think of women in their 30s, 40s or 50s.

But for many, it begins quietly.

A separation.
A loss of financial stability.
A life that suddenly looks very different.

No safety net. No plan B. Just survival.

This is why Catherine is taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout -to raise awareness for the women and children navigating this reality every day.

Donate here-https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/catherinecoles

The statistics are hard to ignore:• Over 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness• Women over 55 are the fastes...
28/05/2026

The statistics are hard to ignore:
• Over 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness
• Women over 55 are the fastest growing group
• Many women seeking support are aged 35–54, often after separation
This isn’t rare.
This isn’t distant.
This is happening now.

Catherine is sleeping out to help change that šŸ¤

Support her journey with the St Vincent de Paul Society.

We are proud that Debra Parker was recently named a finalist in the 2026 ACT Law Society Law Week Service Awards. Finali...
27/05/2026

We are proud that Debra Parker was recently named a finalist in the 2026 ACT Law Society Law Week Service Awards.

Finalists for these awards are selected because they have made a notable contribution to the legal profession and the wider community. To be selected, their efforts must have spanned pro bono advocacy, legal education, policy reform and support vulnerable groups, while also fostering wellbeing, diversity and innovation in legal practice.

Debra was selected among seven others, with Debra being recognised for her contribution to the legal profession and community and her decades of leadership, service and advocacy acknowledged.

The ACT Law Society noted that Debra is a respected pioneer in the development of collaborative and resolution-focused practice in the ACT and recognised Debra’s delivery of education, mentorship, and long-standing service to the Law Society across multiple committees.

This recognition reflects the respect, dedication and heart Debra brings to her work every single day, and we are incredibly proud to see her contributions acknowledged amongst such inspiring finalists.

Congratulations Debra on this truly well-deserved recognition.

The Parker Coles Curtis team enjoyed celebrating all finalists and award winners at the 2026 ACT Law Society Law Week Awards Gala Dinner last week!

After the overwhelming response to the ā€œLet’s Chat About Divorceā€ episode, the team at ā€˜We Don’t Have Time For This’ wel...
21/05/2026

After the overwhelming response to the ā€œLet’s Chat About Divorceā€ episode, the team at ā€˜We Don’t Have Time For This’ welcomed Jacquelyn Curtis into the hot seat as part of their divorce series.

One of the biggest takeaways?
You don’t know what you don’t know...get advice early...

Jacqui spoke about the importance of seeking guidance sooner rather than later, even if it’s just a one-off appointment to understand your position and options moving forward. She also encouraged people to take a support person along to appointments to help retain information and have someone trusted to talk things through with afterwards. Having a counsellor or psychologist to help unpack the emotional side of separation can also make an enormous difference during what is often an incredibly overwhelming time.

But no matter where you’re at in the process- questioning things, considering separation, already navigating it, or trying to find peace on the other side, getting the right support early can be absolutely crucial.

Get the right legal advice to suit your situation, budget and forming support network can make a difficult chapter feel far more manageable.

Have a listen to the episode for practical legal, honest conversations, and supportive guidance around separation and divorce. šŸ¤

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wqgkIz5yW5MTff7v4RBG2?si=AKGAc6jQQR-taY0JuHxn7Q

One more sleep to go until the Karinya House Home. Hope. Horizon. Mother’s Day Luncheon and the team at Parker Coles Cur...
20/05/2026

One more sleep to go until the Karinya House Home. Hope. Horizon. Mother’s Day Luncheon and the team at Parker Coles Curtis could not be more excited to once again be the Major Sponsor of this incredibly special event.

This event is always one of the most inspiring afternoons on the Canberra calendar, bringing together an amazing community of people who genuinely care about supporting vulnerable women and children experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and hardship.

For the past three years, it has been an honour for our firm to stand alongside Karinya House and the many incredible businesses, sponsors, advocates and community leaders helping create real impact through generosity, compassion and connection.

We are so looking forward to celebrating with everyone this Friday, hearing powerful stories, sharing meaningful conversations, and helping raise vital funds for such an important cause.

A huge thank you to every sponsor, donor, guest and supporter involved…it truly takes a village, and Canberra continues to show up in the most beautiful way!

See you all tomorrow for what is set to be a truly incredible event for Karinya House. ✨

At Parker Coles Curtis, supporting Karinya House is far more than a sponsorship to us, it is deeply aligned with the hea...
18/05/2026

At Parker Coles Curtis, supporting Karinya House is far more than a sponsorship to us, it is deeply aligned with the heart of who we are and why we do the work we do.

Every single day, we sit beside women navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. Women facing separation, family violence, financial uncertainty, trauma, homelessness, fear for their children, and the overwhelming reality of trying to rebuild life from the ground up.

We know that crisis rarely arrives in one form. Legal issues, housing insecurity, financial hardship, emotional trauma and safety concerns are often deeply intertwined. That is why organisations like Karinya House are so incredibly important.

For over 28 years, Karinya House has provided hope, support, safety and dignity to vulnerable women and children in our community, many at a time when they have nowhere else to turn. Their work changes lives.

As a female-led firm, these issues are not just matters we work on professionally, they are causes we care about personally and passionately. We believe every woman deserves to feel safe, supported, empowered and heard, particularly during the most vulnerable seasons of her life.

We are incredibly proud to stand alongside Karinya House as Major Sponsor of the Home. Hope. Horizon. luncheon for the third consecutive year and to support the extraordinary work they do for women and children across Canberra.

To every woman currently walking through crisis: there is hope beyond this chapter. There are people who care. There are communities ready to stand beside you. And there is strength in asking for support. šŸ¤

Last week our team learnt about how to better understand and support victims of domestic violence from accredited Social...
18/05/2026

Last week our team learnt about how to better understand and support victims of domestic violence from accredited Social Worker, Franchesca Isla.

The presentation focused on the often-overlooked protective strategies and adaptive responses used by victims of domestic violence to minimise harm and maintain safety for themselves and their children. It included education around correctly identifying the trauma response of fawning - that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by professionals.

Franchesca also gifted us a copy of her recent children’s picture book ā€˜And Still: A Story About A Love That Never Ends’, which tells children a story about a parent’s unconditional love when they are navigating change and uncertainty.

We’re so pleased to be a part of these meaningful discussions – thanks, Franchesca!

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Level 9, 1 Hobart Place
Canberra Central, ACT
2913

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