Frances Edwards
Founding Partner
Accredited Family Law Specialist
Our Founding Partner, Frances Edwards, holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws. Frances is one of Sydney’s most senior, experienced and respected Family Law practitioners.
Accredited Family Law Specialist
Frances has been a Law Society of NSW Accredited Family Law Specialist for over 20 years and is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Frances was admitted to practice in 1985; Practicing since 1986 and has
FRANCES EDWARDS
Founding Partner
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Economics
Law Society Accredited Specialist Family Law (since 1994)
Qualified Mediator
Practising since 1986
Frances has specialised knowledge and experience in all aspects of Family Law matters including separation and divorce, property settlement, finalisation of Family Law settlements including consent orders and financial agreements, de facto relationships and de facto relationship agreements, parenting issues and arrangements for children, child support, child abduction, domestic violence matters and spouse maintenance.
Frances has extensive experience in complex financial matters involving family trusts, corporate structures, and valuations, and has acted in numerous reported decisions, most notably a leading case involving the valuation of professional practices.
Frances has successfully acted in many large-scale disputes involving high net worth and high profile business clients.
Frances has extensive experience in parenting disputes having acted not only for mothers and fathers, but also for child(ren), as Frances was previously on the panel of lawyers appointed to act for children as the Independent Children’s Lawyer in Court disputes. By acting directly on behalf of children, this experience has enriched Frances’ insight into the needs of children and the impact of their parents’ separation on them.
Frances has had significant experience as an advocate in the Family Law Courts, however, Frances’ focus is always on resolution of the dispute, no matter how simple or complex the dispute may be.
Frances’ experience has allowed her to develop strong relationships with financial advisors who are able to assist her Family Law clients in providing expert financial advice if appropriate in their matter. Frances is often referred work from accountants, financial advisers and from other solicitors, mediators and barristers.
MEDIATION
Frances has completed the National Accredited Mediator training course with the College of Law and is able to offer mediation services for all types of Family Law disputes. For more information on Family Law mediation services click here.
Our Services
Divorce & Separation
Expert divorce lawyers
When married couples separate, there is only one ground for the grant of a Divorce Order, and that is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. This is established by the parties being separated for a minimum of 12 months. In some circumstances, parties can be living under the same roof and still be able to establish this ground.
Property Settlement
Expert property settlement lawyers
Edwards Family Lawyers can assist you and your spouse/partner to come to an agreement in relation to all financial matters and issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship, including the division of all assets and liabilities, spouse maintenance payments, superannuation splitting orders and child support departure Orders.
Negotiation & Resolution
Expert negotiation and resolution lawyers
Opportunities for negotiation and settlement exist not only before proceedings are commenced, but also after proceedings have been commenced and right up until the time that the Court finally hears and determines the matter. Parties can settle a matter at any time.
Parenting & Children
Parenting and Children Family Lawyers
The best interests of the children is the paramount consideration when determining the most appropriate and suitable arrangements for the children after a separation. At Edwards Family Lawyers, we encourage our clients to participate in the counselling or mediation services available to assist them to reach an agreement with their spouse/former partner
Mediation Services
Mediation Lawyers
Edwards Family Lawyers offer Mediation Services to assist parties to engage in effective dispute resolution. Our Principal, Frances Edwards, has extensive experience in negotiating settlements in both parenting and property matters, and is a National Accredited Mediator and member of LEADR and IAMA.
De Facto
De Facto Lawyers
De Facto couples (including same sex couples) who separate after 1 March 2009 have the same rights as married couples. The rights and obligations of couples upon the breakdown of a Marriage or De Facto relationship are now all governed by the Family Law Act 1975. De Facto couples who separated prior to 1 March 2009 are still covered by the old State legislation
Our Family Lawyers are here to help
We navigate legal issues for our clients with empathy and a deep understanding of the associated stresses and implications. We can help you, like we have helped many clients in Sydney.
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Edwards Family Lawyers is committed to providing expert advice on all areas of Family Law following the breakdown of your marriage or de facto relationship, including same-sex relationships.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
We acknowledge the Cammeraygal and Gadigal people being the traditional owners of the land on which we work and their elders past and present.
