Peaceful resolution - Balance Family Lawyers

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to handle conflict peacefully.

There are endless reasons why couples separate.

The Australian legal system treats the symptoms but rarely looks at the causes of a relationship breakdown.

Focusing on legal issues alone does not always resolve conflict, even once matters are settled. Exploring the cause of a separation can often result in a better outcome for everyone.

We provide you support to addressing the legal issues and can also work with you to identify other issues that may disrupt an agreement or cause ongoing conflict.

We work with other professionals such as financial planners and psychologists to provide well-rounded support and advice.

We Offer:

Separation Strategy Services
Conflict Coaching
Interest-based Negotiation
Dispute Resolution
- Collaborative Law
- Mediation (consultant or independent mediators engaged)
- Arbitration (independent arbitrator engaged)

Online Separation Agreements – Forward >>
Binding Child Support Agreements
Binding Financial Agreements (including “prenups”)
Document preparation and review for self-represented parties in contested proceedings
Legal advice and guidance
Estate Planning including simple and complex wills and trusts

Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consult to find out more.

Make sure you download our guide “5 Steps to an Amicable Divorce”

What our clients say

Pepe and Jonathon handled my case with kindness, understanding and professionalism. It’s took a lot of patience and time but they never gave up and made me feel supported the whole way through.

I sincerely appreciate the style you have approached my Family Law Matter and I have NO hesitation in recommending you.

Pepe - this is my first experience with lawyers in my young 37 years at first I was very close as I thought you would like the rest, but I was very wrong indeed.

Pepe, just a short note to say thank you for your assistance. For what it’s worth your professionalism is only exceeded by your sincerity and kindness.

Many thanks for how easy you made our property transfer. Process was so smooth and you were both fantastic to deal with.

Jonathon, I must say that in 4 years you and Pepe are the most efficient and prompt team I have ever met, you both responded quickly and courteously to all my unresolved issues and question and problems with the previous team.

Pepe has kept me sane! At all times she’s been professional, responsive, direct and friendly.

I appreciate all you have done for me Pepe.I would not have got this far without your hard work.

Genuinely committed to positive outcomes and minimising the nastiness that can be associated with family law matters. Real technical expertise plus human sensitivity.

I can’t begin to thank you enough for all of your hard work on K’s behalf and we are overjoyed at the outcome.

Jonathon and Pepe handled my case very respectfully and efficiently.

I highly recommend Perpetua Kish (Pepe). She handled my case without my care, respect and dedication.

Words can’t describe how grateful we are. Thanks for everything - I can’t help but think if we had you from the start and this process would’ve been successful.

Thank you so much - you and counsel were both incredible today. A great result!

I would like to say how happy I am with the current service. Pepe and Jono were very proactive and helpful in what became a drawn out and difficult process.

I can’t honestly find the words to thank you enough for all the work you have done for the kids and me. To say I am relieved is an understatement.

Thanks once again for your understanding and support. Pepe and Jono kick another goal!

Really great people to work with. They know their stuff and are also compassionate and caring as well as understanding and explaining all the legal jargon. I highly recommend.

I referred one of my client’s to Pepe and was very impressed with the compassion she showed and the way she was able to help my client.

I approached Pepe for some advice on behalf of a friend who is in the process of separating from her husband. Pepe was very professional throughout our dealings and extremely patient with all of my questions.

Genuinely committed to positive outcomes and minimising the nastiness that can be associated with family law matters. Real technical expertise plus human sensitivity.

Pepe and Jono are Amazing! They care.

Working with Balance Family Law was excellent and seamless. I feel like I had absolute certainty as to my legal fees. I would absolutely refer them to friends and family for their timely and courteous service.

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Wowee what an awesome surprise! I was delighted t

Wowee what an awesome surprise!

I was delighted to be named the Winner of the Family Law Partner of the Year Award, last Friday in Sydney at the annual @lawyers_weekly #partneroftheyearawards .

Lawyers Weekly deputy editor Jerome Doraisamy said the Awards “… 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 18 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴”.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵”.

To win amongst the Big Law and national firms feels pretty awesome. This is a win for the small firms, the micro practices and the sole pracs. We may be small in size but we can make a big impact and drive sustainable and much needed change.

I could not do it without my amazing super star 2IC, Jono @the_numbers_lawyer - this award is in recognition of his efforts too, and the rest of my team - Clare @jobsonclare , Vic @victoriaeveandco and Anne and my amazing husband Tim and girls, who support me and are so patient and understanding. I don’t always get the work/life balance right but without their support I can tell you, I would not be able to work to the level that I do.

And of course to my @thekindlawyers colleagues and friends. We are making a difference in the family law space 🌟

Congrats to all the other winners and finalists 👍🏼

#partneroftheyearawards2021 #lawyersweekly #familylaw #awardwinner #collaborativelaw #collaborativedivorce #canberra #canberrabusiness #canberralife #canberralocals #womeninlaw #bossgirl #ausmumpreneur #ausmum #lawyermum #veganlawyer #newlaw #innovative #choosekindness
📷 @jennywuphotography

“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵!!”*

I don’t know the context of *Woody Allen’s famous saying, but when we meet a client who is in this headspace, it can be a very good thing.

Why? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Most logical people don’t want:

- To fight with their ex
- To go to court
- To have legal bills in the tens of thousands
- Their kids stuck in the middle of their conflict with the other parent

And we can work with that. It sets a clear direction to work in a manner that prioritises peace, and maintains or seeks to rebuild trust, empathy and understanding.

And instead of talking about percentages and dollar amounts with our clients to help them work out what they want, we first talk about what is really important to them. We reflect on their needs, hopes and fears (their “interests”), rather than positions.

A position is what we say we want (or usually what we think we want) but an interest is the reason or “the why” beneath that position.

It is the interest that drives direction at the end of a relationship, or indeed at any time. We don’t need to know our destination at the start, but with a good sense of direction, we are primed for a better journey.

If our direction is one that prioritises peace, seeks to understand and is open to compromise, our destination is more likely to be a positive place.

If our direction focuses on finding fault, attributing blame and prioritising only our needs with disregard for the needs of others, our destination will be a place of conflict and disappointment.

You don't get what you want, you get what you are. So choose your direction with care and kindness.

Happy Monday 🤘🏽

#mondaymotivation #mondaymood #future #canberralawyer #canberrabusiness #canberralocals #familylawyer #familylaw #divorcelaw #separation #divorce #parenting #canberramums #canberra #thisiscbr #canberralife #collaborativelawyer #newlaw #disruptinglaw #generosity #kindness #bekind

“We had a terrific experience with Jono at Balan

“We had a terrific experience with Jono at Balance Family Law. The whole process was simple, efficient and professional. Communication was excellent. The price was reasonable and fair, the opposite of most law firms. I'm really glad I used Balance Family Law and highly recommend them.” - T.L, Family Law client

🤩We are always delighted to get feedback like this from our colleagues and clients. It reminds us we are doing something right! 🎯#testimonial #familylawyers #pepeandjono #clientreview #divorcelawyers🕊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#canberralawyer #canberrabusiness #canberralocals #thisiscanberra #estateslawyer #willslawyer #familylawyer #familylaw #divorcelaw #separation #divorce #parenting #canberramums #canberra #thisiscbr #canberralife #canberradads #collaborativelawyer #newlaw #disruptinglaw #saturdayvibes
📸 what a beautiful bloom from @poetryinflowers

Super is often the largest asset that someone has,

Super is often the largest asset that someone has, outside of their home. So, when it comes to separation and divorce and splitting the assets, super forms a big part of that discussion.

Adding to this is the complexity surrounding public service defined-benefit super schemes and discussions around what benefits they provide? How a super split affects the member's interest? What benefits the non-member will receive? How do you value these interests taking all this into account?...

Jono had the pleasure of being interviewed by Scott Malcolm, CFP® , RLP of @moneymechanics on his Money Mechanics podcast (with the lovely @gianna_financial_planner_cbr ), to talk about super and separation, and specifically, how PSS and CSS defined-benefit super funds are treated and can form part of discussions when splitting your assets.

You can check out the podcast by clicking the link in our bio.

Happy Choose-day!

#familylaw #superannuation #definedbenefits #css #pss #divorce #separation #supersplit #moneymechanics #canberralawyer #canberrabusiness #lawyer #tuesdaymotivation #thoughtfultuesday #chooseday
📷 @jennywuphotography

“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴

“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳” said a mother asking for recommendations in a Facebook group for mums over the weekend.

But let’s unpack this a bit.

Ruthless
[ˈruːθləs]
ADJECTIVE
1. 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺
2. 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴

If we go by this definition, the mum seeking recommendations wants to rain hellfire down on her ex. Maybe he deserves that. Maybe.

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦? 𝘋𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯?

The ruthless lawyer doesn’t discriminate. While there might be some initial gratification in this approach (one former client referred to the ruthless barrister he’d engaged as his “shiny silver gun”), the long-term outcome is irreparable damage to any semblance of a co-parenting relationship and often to their children, who are caught in the middle, a heavy dependence on lawyers to resolve their problems and of course, the reputational damage to the profession. 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?

We need to move on from this done-to-the-death narrative and the short-sightedness of those who perpetuate it.

Kindness and empathy can bring much-needed balance to the divorce experience. A positive outcome often depends on a combination of different ingredients. As anger, pain and bitterness are already part of the mix, we make the challenges of separation more palatable when we add some kindness.

Acting with kindness and engaging a lawyer that prioritises acting in this way, does not mean you or the lawyer are a push over, will acquiesce too easily, or pander to the other side.

When lawyers prioritise kindness, they communicate with understanding and insight. By role modelling good behaviours they give clients an opportunity to (re)build trust, and break bad habits and patterns. Kindness can be a powerful lubricant in a rough and uncaring environment.

Ruthless, aggressive, combative… Whatever you want to call these types of lawyers - they’re equally uninspiring, unimaginative and predictable.

For goodness sake, be smart, and be kind.

Happy Monday.

Hey 👋🏼 Jono here ! 🏙 Being located in a

Hey 👋🏼 Jono here !

🏙 Being located in a public service town such as Canberra, where there are also lots of military families, we encounter many people who have defined benefit (DB) superannuation interests and they generally fall into one of these categories:

▶️ Those who don’t know the value or benefit provided by the interest they have 🤷🏼‍♀️

Or

▶️ Those who are very aware of just how valuable it can be. 🙋🏽‍♀️

DB super brings up a lot of interesting challenges when it comes to resolving family law disputes, one of them being what happens to the interest after it is split (if there is an agreement to do so), for both the original member and their spouse.

👨🏻‍✈️For the member, the multiples that are used by the fund to calculate the benefit they receive on retirement can be impacted and reduced.

👩🏼‍🍳For the spouse, the interest they receive is not the same as the original members – it is preserved, unable to be contributed to, and will likely not provide the same type or level of benefits that the original member would have had.

❓It is important that the above is considered when discussing property settlements. The more information that people have about their (and their ex’s) superannuation, and what a super split means, provides a greater opportunity for creative problem solving, considering all of their other assets too, to determine what type or level of super split is going to be best for both parties now and into the future, if one is considered appropriate at all, that will allow each of them to meet their needs and achieve their respective goals.

#happysunday

#supersunday #estateplanning #familylaw #superannuation #divorce #separation #canberra #canberralife #commonwealthpublicsector #publicsector #defencefamilies #canberrabusiness #lawyerlife #younglawyer #sundayvibes #sundayvibes #thisiscbr
📷 another beautiful photo by @carolelvin

Comfort zones haven’t had the best press in rece

Comfort zones haven’t had the best press in recent years. Hustle culture shames the comfort zone, acknowledging “that it may be a beautiful place, but nothing grows there”

But I want to focus on the beautiful place part.

A comfort zone is just a mental construct. It’s a matter of perspective as to whether it’s a barrier to growth, or the foundation for success.

So rather than leave a place that is peaceful and where we feel confident, why not extend the boundaries?

To me, expanding my comfort zone is about understanding ‘my why’. It’s about authenticity and feeling confident about my abilities and experience. It’s where I feel strong and best placed to help and guide others. I think of it as a “know your shit” zone.

Knowing your stuff is a good feeling. It reminds me of the Kumon method, an educational program I subjected my eldest daughter to for a few years. It’s designed to accelerate children’s learning above their grade level. It’s not for everyone (we’ve moved on from it) but one of its features has always resonated with me. When students get stuck in certain areas , or take a long time to complete their study, they must repeat as necessary, which helps them to master the content and only then, can they move on to the next stage. The idea is that from mastery, comes confidence and when we are confident we are more likely to take risks, succeed and win.

On the flip side, hustle culture encourages us to “start before we’re ready”. After some initial resistance, I learnt to embrace this mentality, but with it I also see the rise of a FOMO culture that glorifies busyness. But non-stop busyness breeds exhaustion and when that eventually crystallises, that’s called burnout. Been there, done that. No thanks.

So, these days, I am slowly learning to embrace the comfort zone and model the same for my business. At Balance Family Law we know what we’re good at, and we do that very well. We thrive, we know our shit, and each day, we grow in confidence. We are motivated and empower ourselves and those around us.

Good things can come from comfort zones. Your mindset about it is the only limitation.

📷 @jennywuphotography

“Pepe’s establishment of Balance Family Law ha

“Pepe’s establishment of Balance Family Law has brought her to her natural space of collaborative law where she now offers fixed price legal representation and the best possible outcome. It’s no surprise that Balance Family Law has been nominated for and won many awards for their different approach to what is often seen as a cutthroat business where only the lawyers win. For Pepe and Jono, their prime focus is you. You will be glad you chose Balance Family Law. Thank you, Pepe and Jono, for all your support and amazing advice. I couldn’t have done what I did without you”.
A.W, amazing family law client

🤩We are always delighted to get feedback like this from our colleagues and clients. It reminds us we are doing something right! 🎯#testimonial #familylawyers #pepeandjono #feedbackfriday #divorcelawyers🕊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#canberralawyer #canberrabusiness #canberralocals #thisiscanberra #estateslawyer #willslawyer #familylawyer #familylaw #divorcelaw #separation #divorce #parenting #canberramums #canberra #thisiscbr #canberralife #canberradads #collaborativelawyer #newlaw #disruptinglaw #TGIF #friyay

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