Understanding your rights when leaving a De facto relationship.

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De facto relationships

De facto relationships are recognised by Australian law as being equal to marriage. This means that de facto couples have all the same rights and entitlements upon separation as a married couple and the process for custody and property settlements is almost identical. The main difference is the timeframe for applying for a property settlement, which for de facto relationships, is two years starting from the date of separation.


Separation is a stressful time. Our family lawyers have the experience to make dealing with the family law system smoother and less stressful so that you can focus on moving on. 

Frequently Asked Questions


Understanding your rights in a De Facto Separation can often be confusing and uncertain. Here are some frequently asked questions our clients have around De Facto Separations:

  • What is a de facto relationship?

    In Australia, a de facto relationship is one where the parties live together on a genuine domestic basis. The Court considers several factors when determining whether a relationship meets this criteria, including the duration of the relationship, whether friends and family know about the relationship, whether a sexual relationship exists between the parties, whether there are children of the relationship, and how finances were handled in the relationship.


    If your relationship was less than two years, and you are unsure whether you are entitled to a property settlement in the circumstances, you should speak to your family lawyer.


  • How do I prove when a de facto relationship ended?

    There are many ways to prove when a de facto relationship ended. Evidence provided to the Court often includes statements from friends and family detailing when they were told about the end of the relationship, one or both parties moving out of their shared home, separation of finances, whether government agencies like Centrelink were advised of the change, and more.

  • Can I be separated if we still live together?

    Yes. There is even a term for it: separation under one roof. It is not unusual for people to need to live together for a period after the end of a relationship. The Court will consider factors such as whether sleeping arrangements changed, if you stopped doing chores such as laundry for each other, separation of finances, whether one or both parties started dating again, and more when forming an opinion as to whether separation has occurred.

  • We were together less than two years. Am I still entitled to a property settlement?

    While the Court cannot usually make an order in relation to a relationship of less than two years, there are some circumstances where the two-year requirement is overridden by other factors. You may also be entitled to a property settlement if there is a child of the relationship, if you made substantial contributions (financial or otherwise) in relation to the relationship and it would be unfair if those contributions weren’t accounted for, or if the relationship was registered under a prescribed law of a State or Territory.

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