Peter Szabo Family Law
Peter is an acknowledged leader among Family Lawyers. He has been at the cutting edge in the development of Family Law. He was involved in the famous case of Ascot Investments and Harper. This 1980 High Court decision remains definitive of third party rights in the Family Court. His main focus now on the interaction between Family Law, asset protection and succession planning. Peter is author of the Family Law Practice Manual. His qualifications and experience are extensive and include:
- Accredited Family Law Specialist;
- Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – www.iaml.org
- A trained mediator; and
- A trained collaborative lawyer
The fusion of de facto and same sex couples under the Family Law umbrella likewise highlights the need for families, particularly those involved in family businesses to consider the ramifications of these developments. Failure to do so can result in unwanted consequences on family breakdown. Not to mention the emotional distress and legal costs involved.
Financial Agreements (often called Prenuptial Agreements) can be constructively minimise those complications. In recent decisions of various State Supreme Courts testamentary intentions expressed in such an agreement has been taken into consideration in determining whether to allow a claim on an estate. A properly constructed agreement with reasonable terms can achieve this result. Willmakers can to this extent add a defence to a claim by a widow/widower. This is becoming a very important issue with Greying Australia and the increasing incidence of Blended Families.
Other publications by Peter Szabo
- The Family Court Practice Manual (since1985), published by the Leo Cussen Institute of Victoria and now in its 6th edition.
- The Family Law Practice Manual – published by Documents Online
- Family Law Financial Settlements – Law Book Company
- Tax Issues in Family Law – the difference between Hacking and Carving. Published on this site.
- The Family Breakdown chapter in the CCH Master Financial Planning Guide
- Numerous papers annually for presentation
to lawyers, financial planners and accountants nationally, on all aspects of Family Law.
Other contributions to the legal profession
- Family Law Instructor at the Leo Cussen Institute since 1978.
- Founding Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Accreditation Board for Family Law Specialists in Victoria, the first specialist program in Australia.
- Current chair of the Accredited Specialists Continuing Education Committee
A self-confessed computer nerd, he has presented Nationally on office automation systems. Peter has been described as one of the Pilgrim Fathers of technology in the Legal Profession. Now a Life Member, he was President of the Apple Users of Melbourne computer club from 1990 to 1992. He continued lecturing monthly on technology until 2005.
Peter can be contacted at Szabo Family Law 13/200 Queen Street Melbourne 3000 Telephone: 03 8648 6590 or by email at peter@psfl.com.au
