Hillwest Legal provides family law services for clients across the Hills District and Greater Western Sydney. We help people navigate the legal side of relationship changes from formalising financial agreements before or during a relationship, to resolving property and parenting matters after separation. Our approach is practical, transparent and focused on reaching a clear outcome without unnecessary conflict.
Our family law services
Our family law practice covers two main areas: binding financial agreements and consent orders.
Binding financial agreements
A binding financial agreement (BFA) is a private contract between two parties that sets out how assets, liabilities and financial resources will be divided either before, during or after a relationship. BFAs are made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and do not require court approval.
- Drafting binding financial agreements
- Independent legal advice for BFAs
- Prenuptial agreements
- Post-nuptial agreements
- Separation agreements
- Superannuation splitting (BFA)
Consent orders
Consent orders are orders made by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) based on the terms both parties have agreed to. Unlike BFAs, consent orders have the force of a court order meaning they can be enforced through the court if one party doesn't comply.
Why choose Hillwest Legal for family law
Practical, not adversarial. We focus on reaching workable agreements not on escalating conflict. Most of our family law work is resolved by agreement, without the need for contested court proceedings.
Clear on costs. We're upfront about fees from the start. For straightforward BFAs and consent orders, we offer fixed-fee or capped-fee arrangements so you know what to expect.
Local expertise. We understand the local community and the financial realities particularly around property that our clients in the Hills District face. Property is often the most significant asset in a family law matter, and having a team with conveyancing expertise alongside family law is a practical advantage.
Binding financial agreements vs consent orders
Many clients aren't sure whether they need a BFA or consent orders. The right choice depends on your circumstances:
We help you decide which path suits your situation and guide you through the chosen process from start to finish.
Common family law situations
You're about to get married and want to protect pre-existing assets. A prenuptial agreement sets out what happens to your existing assets if the relationship ends.
You've separated and need to divide property. Whether through a separation agreement (BFA) or property consent orders, you need a legally enforceable arrangement that deals with the family home, investments, debts and superannuation.
You need to formalise parenting arrangements. Parenting consent orders set out where your children will live, how time is shared, and who makes decisions about their education, health and welfare.
You need to split superannuation. Superannuation splitting can be done through either a BFA or consent orders. We help you understand the options and complete the process correctly.
Your partner has a BFA and you need independent legal advice. If your partner has had a BFA drafted and you need a solicitor to provide independent legal advice before you sign, we can assist. This is a requirement for the agreement to be binding.
Serving the Hills District and Greater Sydney
Our family law team serves clients from across the Hills District and Greater Western Sydney including Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Rouse Hill, Norwest, The Ponds, Stanhope Gardens, Cherrybrook, Winston Hills, Marsden Park, Schofields, Riverstone, Blacktown, Parramatta, Penrith, Liverpool, Hornsby, Epping and Carlingford.
Frequently asked questions about family law
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact us directly.