Want to draft watertight agreements and applications always? Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Services Australia speak on drafting child support agreements, followed by a practical drafting session to apply what you have learnt with real life examples. Gain practical insights from leading family law specialists to draft watertight BFA’s, learning where common errors can arise and learn the potential implications of BFA’s on estate planning. Finally, end with tips and traps session on drafting interim property and maintenance applications. WEB243N42Z

 

Presenters

Peter Szabo, Director, Szabo Family Law
Peter Szabo is an acknowledged leader among Family Lawyers, Innovative and a trail blazer, he was involved in leading cases such as Ascot Investments v Harper (third party rights) and In Re K (appointment of ICL’s in parenting cases). He was instrumental in the establishment of Specialist Accreditation in Family law. He remains involved as the current Chair of CLE for Accredited Specialists. He has been an Instructor in Family Law at the Leo Cussen Institute for over 40 years, He was a presenter at the very first session on BFA’s at Leo Cussen in 2001. His main focus now on the interaction between Family Law, asset protection and succession planning. He is a strong believer in sharing the knowledge. ? He is a trained mediator and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (by invitation only. He first authored the Family Law Practice Manual in 1985, which is now in its 6th edition.


Amanda Nates, Assistant Director, Child Support Program, Services Australia
Amanda Nates is an Assistant Director in the Child Support Program branch within Services Australia with 20 years’ experience. Amanda has maintained a particular focus on the legislative provisions relevant to agreements, and on supporting legal practitioners to prepare agreements that are validly made and can be properly implemented.


Paul Fildes, Principal, Taussig Cherie Fildes Family Lawyers
199V09 Paul Fildes is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and has been practising in family law since 1983. He has been ranked as one of only five Preeminent Family Lawyers by Doyle’s Guide for Melbourne 2019. Paul Fildes was previously the head of Middletons’ Family Law Practice Group (now K & L Gates), which he merged with Taussig Cherrie & Associates in 2010, to become Taussig Cherrie Fildes. Paul specialises in large scale family law property litigation, complex Financial Agreements, defacto property cases and restructuring family property in a tax effective manner. He also has a special interest in international relocation cases, and cross-border disputes involving the adjustment and treatment of assets located internationally, including Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Paul is a presenter of Case Watch on the Television Education Network which produces educational presentations and material for lawyers. He has published numerous papers and comments on current family law issues. Paul also regularly presents at seminars on behalf of various professional bodies on a wide variety of family law topics, with an emphasis on complex financial matters. He is a qualified Family Law arbitrator and mediator, and is also a trained collaborative lawyer. Paul is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and was a former Chair and Executive member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. He was previously the Victorian Solicitor Representative of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, and a former Chair of the FLS National Biennial Family Law Conference and on the Board at Relationships Australia (Vic).


Mr. Guy Waterman, Barrister, Brisbane Chambers
Guy Waterman was admitted as a Solicitor and practised extensively in the area of De Facto and Family Law and as a Mediator prior to being called to the Bar in 1993. Guy has continued to practice in the Family Law/De Facto areas as a Barrister and Mediator and during this time and has presented at seminars dealing with Family Law & Practice including: Disclosure, compliance with Orders, Making the most of financial experts in financial matters in conjunction with Joe Box, forensic accountant and Greg Jorgenson, registered valuer at BAQ, Cost - Orders, Offer and Risks, How to Deal with a Client Raising That The Solicitor For The Other Party Has A Conflict Of Interest And Should Be Restrained From Acting and Family Law Legislative Reform and Case Update.


Alfonso Layson, Principal Lawyer, Coleman Greig Lawyers
Alfonso Layson is a Principal Lawyer and Accredited Specialist in Coleman Greig’s Family Law Team. Alfonso has more than 10 years’ experience in Family Law. His key practice strengths include advocacy, pre-nuptial binding financial agreements, complex property matters, surrogacy and adoption, as well as Hague Convention matters. Alfonso has worked with a diverse range of clients throughout his career including representing industry professionals from employee level to Directors and Chief Executive Officers. Alfonso also has significant experience acting as an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL), a Court appointed advocate acting for children in high risk and highly contentious parenting matters. He is a confident advocate for his clients and has experience in all Family Law Courts, Family Mediation and other forms of dispute resolution. Alfonso is empathetic and approachable, communicating personally with his clients to cover all bases so that they are aware from the outset as to the prospects of their case.


Stephen Page, Director, Page Provan
Stephen Page is a director of Page Provan, Brisbane. Stephen was admitted as a solicitor in 1987 and has been a Queensland Law Society family law accredited specialist since 1996. He has spoken extensively about family law, domestic violence and fertility law at local, national and international conferences. Stephen is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (including co-chair of the Sexuality and Gender Identity Committee) and of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, and is an international representative on the ART Committee of the American Bar Association. He has received a number of awards, including the Queensland Law Society President’s Medal (2023). Stephen has written many legal articles. He is the author of two books: When Not If: Surrogacy for Australians (2022) and International Assisted Reproductive Technology (2024). Stephen is a member of several committees. He is the Secretary of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand.