Richardson Murray Family Law

Richardson Murray Family Law Family Lawyers Gold Coast & Byron Bay

Family & Relationships, Divorce and Separation, Parenting Matters, Financial Matters, Domestic Violence, International Family Law

"Who gets the house?" is one of the first questions almost every client asks us — and the answer is rarely simple.The fa...
29/05/2026

"Who gets the house?" is one of the first questions almost every client asks us — and the answer is rarely simple.

The family home isn't treated as a separate issue from the rest of your property settlement. It goes into the overall asset pool, and how it's divided depends on the same 4-step process that applies to everything else: contributions, future needs, and what's just and equitable.

A few common outcomes:
🏡 One party buys the other out and keeps the home
🏡 The home is sold and the proceeds are divided
🏡 The home is retained for a set period — for example, until the children finish school — then sold or refinanced

Whose name is on the title? Often less important than people think. A house in one party's sole name is still part of the asset pool if it was acquired during the relationship.If the family home is on your mind, get advice early.

The right strategy depends on your full financial picture — not just the property itself.

When people picture "going through a divorce," they picture a courtroom. The reality looks very different.The vast major...
29/05/2026

When people picture "going through a divorce," they picture a courtroom. The reality looks very different.

The vast majority of family law matters in Australia are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) - not litigation. Court is a last resort, not a starting point.

Why does this matter? Because resolving things outside court is:
→ Significantly cheaper
→ Much faster
→ Less stressful for everyone (especially kids)
→ More flexible — you design the outcome, not a judge

A good family lawyer's first job is to help you avoid court if at all possible. That's how we approach every matter at Richardson Murray.

Want to know more about our approach? Link in bio.

Q: How long does a divorce actually take in Australia?A: Longer than most people think — but not for the reason you'd ex...
29/05/2026

Q: How long does a divorce actually take in Australia?
A: Longer than most people think — but not for the reason you'd expect.

The divorce itself (the legal end of the marriage) is mostly paperwork. You need to be separated for 12 months before you can apply, and once you do, the order usually comes through within a few months.

But "the divorce" is just one piece. The bigger pieces are:
→ Sorting out the kids (parenting arrangements)
→ Sorting out the money (property settlement)

Those can take anywhere from a few months (if you reach agreement quickly) to a couple of years (if it goes to court). The average matter resolved through negotiation tends to settle within 6–12 months.

Got a family law question? Drop it in the comments — we answer them every Friday.

Meet Marni 👋Marni brings just over 5 years of legal experience to the Richardson Murray team - 2 years in Family Law adm...
21/05/2026

Meet Marni 👋

Marni brings just over 5 years of legal experience to the Richardson Murray team - 2 years in Family Law administration and 3 years as a Body Corporate and Litigation Paralegal.

What drew her to family law? The people. Marni's a self-described "people person," and she felt her values aligned with this work in particular - being able to apply her relatable, caring and driven nature to helping families through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Her focus is simple: exceptional service, and doing everything she can to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome.

A few things you should know about Marni:

🏋️‍♀️ Most likely to be found at the gym
🏖️ Or at the beach with friends and her dog, Koda
✈️ A serious traveller
🍽️ A serious foodie
☀️ All-round enjoyer of life

We're so glad to have her on the team.

We're thrilled to welcome Cole and Maddison to the Richardson Murray team! 🎉The two Bond University law students are joi...
21/05/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Cole and Maddison to the Richardson Murray team! 🎉

The two Bond University law students are joining us this semester for formal work experience — getting hands-on exposure to family law the Richardson Murray way.

Supporting the next generation of legal professionals is something we're deeply committed to, and we love watching future lawyers grow into their careers.

Our final work experience placement for 2026 kicks off in September — and students from all universities are encouraged to apply! Send your resume to [email protected] to find out more.

Welcome, Cole and Maddison — we're so glad to have you! 👏

Family violence and your legal protections ⚠️You have options. You don't have to figure them out alone.If you or someone...
19/05/2026

Family violence and your legal protections ⚠️

You have options. You don't have to figure them out alone.

If you or someone you love is experiencing family violence - physical, emotional, financial, or coercive - there are legal protections available, and you don't have to navigate them by yourself.

In Queensland, a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) can:
→ Prevent the other person from contacting or approaching you
→ Require them to leave a shared home
→ Cover children and other family members
→ Apply across all of Australia

You can apply for a DVO yourself, the police can apply on your behalf, or a lawyer can help you through the process.

If you need urgent help right now, please call 000.

For confidential support 24/7: 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732.

For confidential legal advice, you can call our office to book a free iniital consultation.

You are not overreacting. You are not alone.

5 things to do before you separateIf separation is on the horizon - even just as a "maybe" - a little preparation now ca...
18/05/2026

5 things to do before you separate

If separation is on the horizon - even just as a "maybe" - a little preparation now can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress later.

This isn't about being sneaky or strategic. It's about walking into a hard conversation with information instead of panic.

📌 Save this post - or send it to a friend who needs it.
If you want to talk through your situation confidentially before making any decisions, that's exactly what an initial consult is for.

Link in bio to book.

Looking after yourself during separationSeparation is one of the most stressful life events a person can go through - re...
14/05/2026

Looking after yourself during separation

Separation is one of the most stressful life events a person can go through - research consistently ranks it second only to the death of a loved one.

Here's what we tell every client about looking after themselves through it:

🛏️ Protect your sleep. Even small wins matter — phone out of the bedroom, no screens an hour before bed.
🚶 Move your body daily. Not for fitness. For your nervous system. A 20-minute walk counts.
🧠 Get a counsellor or psychologist early. Don't wait until you're in crisis. Your GP can refer you under a Mental Health Care Plan.
📵 Quiet the noise. Mute your ex on socials. Mute the friend who keeps asking for updates. You don't owe anyone a play-by-play.
🤝 Find your two or three people. Not ten. Two or three trusted people who can hold space for you on the hard days.
⏳ Be patient with yourself. This will not feel this hard forever. It really won't.

If you need legal support alongside the emotional, we're here. If you need someone to talk to right now: Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.

Save this. Send it to someone going through it 💛

Both document the parenting arrangements after separation. Only one is legally enforceable.A Parenting Plan is a written...
12/05/2026

Both document the parenting arrangements after separation. Only one is legally enforceable.

A Parenting Plan is a written agreement signed by both parents. It's flexible and free - but if your ex stops following it, there's no legal mechanism to enforce it.

Consent Orders are the same agreement, but filed with and approved by the Court. They're legally binding, which means if either parent breaches the orders, there are consequences.

Which one is right depends on your situation: how much trust exists between you, the complexity of the arrangements, and whether you anticipate disagreements down the track.

Not sure which way to go? Book a free consultation - link in bio.

Meet Molly 👋Molly brings over 5 years of legal experience to the Richardson Murray team — including 4 years working in T...
11/05/2026

Meet Molly 👋

Molly brings over 5 years of legal experience to the Richardson Murray team — including 4 years working in Tasmania before making the move north ☀️

What drives her in family law is the opportunity to walk alongside clients during some of the most challenging chapters of their lives — and to do it with genuine care and empathy. Molly's focus is on clear guidance, steady support, and working towards positive, practical outcomes for every client she helps.

A few things you should know about Molly:
☀️ Will choose sunshine and friends over almost anything
🧘‍♀️ A loyal Pilates devotee
🍽️ Always on the hunt for the next great restaurant

Address

Unit 2016/89-91 Surf Parade
Gold Coast, QLD
4218

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61756195933

Website

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