Soden Legal

01/09/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐰. 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭. ❤️

Family law is personal. We get that.

We’re real people, and we understand that when you walk through our doors, you’re dealing with a lot more than a legal problem. We see the worry, the fear, the lack of sleep.

We listen. We explain. We guide. And we genuinely care about getting the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Because we know this is your life, not just another file on a desk. Come and meet our team and see how we can support you.

25/08/2026

🎉 A fantastic milestone for Sean!

We’re delighted to share that Sean Cahill has now gained his Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) accreditation.

So, what does this mean for our clients?

FDR is an important part of the family law process, particularly for parents who are trying to resolve parenting arrangements without the stress, cost and uncertainty of going straight to court.

As an accredited FDR Practitioner, Sean can assist separating parents to:

• Have structured, productive conversations about parenting arrangements
• Identify the issues that are really preventing agreement
• Explore practical solutions that work for their children and their families
• Negotiate in a safe, impartial and supported environment
• Work towards resolving disputes without court proceedings where possible
• In appropriate circumstances, issue the required section 60I certificate if an agreement cannot be reached

Sean’s accreditation compliments his existing mediation work, including property mediation, allowing Soden Legal to provide clients with greater support across both parenting and financial disputes.

We’re incredibly proud of Sean and this next step in expanding the dispute resolution services we can offer to separating families. ⚖️

To book a mediation intake session with Sean call us on 02 46337800.

13/08/2026

Fig-jam award to Valentina this week for all her hard work in helping the solicitors with their busy case load. Awesome job Val!

12/08/2026

Your story matters. But in Court, evidence matters more.

Family law disputes are deeply personal.

You know exactly what happened. You might have lived through years of conflict, difficult conversations, financial pressure or behaviour that has left you devastated… and you may have a very strong sense of what is fair.

But when a matter is before a Judge, your story isn’t always enough. The Court needs to determine the outcome based on the evidence put before it.

That might mean:

• A bank statement that tells a financial story
• A message that confirms what was said
• A document that establishes a timeline
• A witness who can independently support an event
• Records that corroborate an allegation
• Your own evidence, given clearly and consistently

This is why your lawyer may sometimes ask questions that feel frustrating:

“Do you have anything that supports that?”
“When did that happen?”
“Who else knows about it?”
“Can we prove that?”

It isn’t because your lawyer doesn’t believe you.

It’s because believing your client and proving a case in Court are two very different things.

One of the most valuable things your family lawyer can do is help you identify the evidence that actually strengthens your case and avoid getting lost in the parts of the story that, while emotionally significant, may not assist the Court in making its decision.

Your experience is important. Your evidence is what helps the Court act on it.

If you have a family law case, it’s our job to help you gather the right evidence together in a format that will help the Judge understand your case.

07/08/2026

❓ FAQ Friday

Can I move to another city or state with my child after separation?

With the high cost of living, we are seeing an increase in relocation cases.
If the move will significantly affect the child’s time with the other parent, you generally shouldn’t relocate without:
✔️ The other parent’s agreement, or
✔️ An order from the Court.

If you do move without the permission of the other parent or the Court, the Court can Order that the children return to live with the other parent. When deciding whether a move should be allowed, the Court’s primary consideration is what is in the child’s best interests. This can include factors such as:
• The child’s relationship with each parent
• The reasons for the proposed move
• Schooling and support networks
• The practical impact on the child’s relationship with the other parent

Every family’s circumstances are different, so getting legal advice before making plans to relocate is important.

📞 If you’re considering a move with your child or your co-parent is proposing one, our experienced family lawyers can help you understand your rights and options.

28/07/2026

We have recently seen an increase in new clients who tell us that their partner has walked out and ended the relationship. The decision came as a huge shock and left them feeling blindsided. Unsure what to do or where to turn.

Making an appointment with our team does not mean you are signing up to a protracted, expensive legal battle. An initial consultation gives you the opportunity to understand the separation process and how property and children’s issues can be resolved. You will walk away with options and information so that you can comfortably make a plan for your future.

Call us if you would like an initial advice session on 46337800.

With offices in Gregory Hills, Wollongong and Penrith, we are specialists in family law, mediation and advocacy. We offer services in family law, dispute resolution/mediation, wills & estates & conveyancing.

25/07/2026

Not only do our staff work together as a team, when you engage Soden Legal you become a part of our team. When we all work together is when you see the real outcomes of success. How do we do this? We give our clients real world advice and support to help them move forward with amicable outcomes at the forefront of everyone’s mind. For example, sometimes this means not sending an aggressive legal letter and supporting our clients with communication tools to help them speak with their former partners directly to reach a settlement. We are there in the background to ensure a fair and reasonable settlement is achieved. Parties walk away satisfied with the outcome and long term strategies for conflict resolution.

21/07/2026

𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫? 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬...

Putting your future into a strangers hands is a scary thought. In this post we help you to ask the right questions when choosing who will handle your legal case. As accredited specialists in family law, we have seen devastating outcomes where parties choose an inexperienced lawyer to handle their case. Judges become angry and cases are delayed with some parties being ordered to pay the legal costs of the other party due to their lawyer filing the wrong documents or otherwise failing to comply with their obligations under the rules. Anyone can say they are a family lawyer but here are some questions to ask to make sure you choose someone with the appropriate qualifications to help.

17/07/2026

This week Sean and Sandra are attending the Singapore Academy of Law and Pacifica Congress Conference. A tour of the Supreme Court was an extremely interesting activity with the UFO shaped construction sitting atop of the building.

Another interesting fact is in Singapore divorcing couples must attend compulsory co-parenting training. We will return to normal programming on Monday!

07/07/2026

Will my child’s voice be heard if I separate?

Children deserve to be heard and every decision should be guided by what is best for them. Whilst your child may not make the final decision, their views are an important consideration.

The Family Law Act recognises that a child’s perspective should be considered when decisions are made about their future. The weight given to their views depends on child’s age, maturity and circumstances. The Court focuses on what is in a child’s best interest, including their safety, wellbeing and developmental needs.

If you are unable to agree on parenting arrangements for your child, the Court can obtain information about a child’s views through child impact reports, family reports and Independent Children’s Lawyers. We can also work with therapists outside of the Court process and through mediation to hear the child’s views where appropriate.

If you would like to know more, our solicitors are here to help. Contact us today on 1300 155 005 or via email to [email protected] to schedule a meeting in person, by telephone or video conference.