Christopher Hughes & Associates

About us

Christopher Hughes & Associates is a dedicated Family Law practice based in Lismore, Northern NSW, with extensive experience spanning over 50 years collectively. The team is recognised by the NSW Law Society as Accredited Specialists in Family Law, reflecting their depth of experience and commitment to this area. While their office is located in Lismore, they provide legal services to clients across regional NSW and major cities including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Darwin. The firm’s approach is characterised by attentive listening and a thorough understanding of each client’s unique circumstances. They provide clear, practical, and tailored legal advice designed to address the specific facts of each case. Christopher Hughes & Associates prioritise keeping clients regularly informed and adopt cost-effective strategies aimed at early resolution wherever possible. This often includes mediation, which helps avoid lengthy court proceedings. Their expertise covers a comprehensive range of Family Law matters, including separation and divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, superannuation matters, de facto and same-sex relationships, spousal maintenance, child support, financial agreements, and guiding clients through mediation and court processes. Their pragmatic approach helps clients navigate Family Law issues efficiently and with clarity.

Practice areas

Divorce and Separation

Family Law

Property and Financial Settlement

Specialisations

Divorce and Separation

Christopher Hughes & Associates provide comprehensive guidance through the legal processes involved in separation and divorce, particularly under the Family Law Act 1975. Their expertise includes assisting clients in navigating the care arrangements for children and equitable distribution of property following the breakdown of marriages and de facto relationships, including those involving same-sex partners. They also support clients in proving the existence of de facto relationships when necessary to access family law remedies. The firm handles divorce applications, ensuring compliance with the requisite separation period and court requirements regarding children's care arrangements. They advise clients on critical post-separation steps such as asset management, privacy protection, and updating wills to reflect changed circumstances. With a client-focused approach, Christopher Hughes & Associates are committed to protecting the legal rights of individuals and families throughout what can be a complex and emotionally challenging period.

Property and Financial Settlement

Christopher Hughes & Associates provides comprehensive guidance on property settlements, assisting clients to navigate the complexities of separating financial affairs after the end of a relationship. Understanding that property settlements are not solely about equal division or initial ownership, they advise on the broad consideration of assets, contributions—both financial and non-financial—and future needs of the parties involved. Their approach encompasses negotiation support, legal advice on formalising agreements through financial agreements or consent orders, and ensuring settlements are fair, legally binding, and financially beneficial, including the efficient management of taxation implications. In addition, the firm offers expertise in handling superannuation splitting as part of property settlements, recognising superannuation as an asset subject to division under family law. They guide clients through the legal processes of placing payment flags on super accounts and the intricacies of transferring superannuation interests, highlighting important conditions on accessing these funds post-division. Their services help clients protect their financial interests and ensure that the property settlement aligns with both immediate and long-term financial security following the conclusion of a shared lifestyle.

Our team