Frequently Asked Questions

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Early intervention can be critical, particularly in matters where timeframes are applicable, such as matters which are, or soon will be, in Court. 

Your first consultation (30 minutes) is at no cost and no obligation to you and is conducted online via Zoom. Contact us to make an appointment to discuss your matter and we can guide you through the process, including advising whether the time is right to take the matter further.

Once you have been separated for 12 months, you will be able to file for divorce. 

If you have been married for less than 2 years, there are further requirements.

In some circumstances we may be able to provide you with an appointment on the same day, however we cannot guarantee this. Urgent enquiries should be emailed to christy@christyrothlaw.com.au and marked URGENT. Urgent appointments will be generally be conducted by phone. 

All face-to-face appointments will be carried out at our office at Building 1, 30 Chancellor Village Boulevard, Sippy Downs, unless otherwise agreed. Face-to-face appointments require a minimum notice period of 48 hours.

That depends entirely upon the nature of your matter. For Wills and Powers of Attorney, we can generally have these ready for execution within a few weeks, taking into account time for any minor changes following drafting. For more complex matters involving trusts, numerous beneficiaries, multiple specific bequests or similar, the time may extend by several weeks. 

Administering Estates generally takes around six months, although this may vary where property is involved, if there are any challenges to the Will, or if there are multiple beneficiaries. 

Family Law matters can vary dramatically depending on the nature of the matter and as such we will not be able to give you an idea of timeframes until we have discussed your matter with you. 

Contract and document review timeframes are dependent upon the document and cannot be provided until the document has been sighted and scope of work ascertained. Similarly, we are unable to provide timeframes for other commercial enquiries until the nature of the work required is established. 

We will always give you a timeframe upon commencement of your matter, and keep you updated if at any time it looks likely that our estimated timeframe, and any associated costs, may change.

Unfortunately at this stage we are unable to accept matters funded by Legal Aid.

We offer payment plans for pensioners as long as the respective card is valid. Continuation of payment plan is conditional on regular weekly payments being made (as per individual agreement).

Although we are not a conveyancing firm, if property transactions form part of your settlement in family law, estate administration or other matters, we can arrange for conveyancers to carry out that part of the work for you (with your consent and on your instructions).  

All matters are charged on a timed basis in increments of 6 minutes. We do not offer fixed fee services.

Our time is important, as is yours. By scheduling an appointment with us, and failing to attend, it prevents others from being able to access our services throughout that period.

Accordingly, appointments which are cancelled or rescheduled less than 24 hours before their scheduled time will incur a $100 cancellation charge. 

Appointments which are cancelled or rescheduled 24-48 hours before their scheduled time will incur a $50 cancellation charge.  

Appointments cancelled or rescheduled 48 hours or longer before their scheduled time will not be charged a cancellation charge.

The initial 15-minute consultation is at no charge to new clients and involves verbal advice only. This consultation can take place either by phone or by zoom. 

If you require written advice, this will incur an expense and will be charged on a timed basis in increments of 6 minutes.  

If you wish to cancel or reschedule a complimentary consultation, 48 hours' notice is required. Failure to advise of cancellation or reschedule within the 48-hour period prior to the appointment will result in loss of the appointment, and no further complimentary consultation will be available. 

In the event that your initial consultation exceeds 15 minutes, you will be charged on a timed basis in increments of 6 minutes.