De Facto Relationships in Wollongong

What family law in Wollongong actually involves

Before the Court can decide a financial dispute it must be satisfied that there was a genuine de facto relationship that has broken down, and that at least one further condition is met: the relationship lasted at least two years, there is a child, it was registered under a state or territory law, or one party made significant contributions and failing to make an order would result in serious injustice (Federal Circuit and Family Court, financial or property overview, read 25 September 2026). The Court says to obtain legal advice about whether your circumstances meet them before you file.

What happens after you send it

People in this position often assume family law does not reach them because there was no marriage, and arrive late as a result. The clock is shorter than for a marriage: a property application after a de facto relationship must be made within two years of the breakdown.

Whether a relationship counts, and what follows if it does, are questions of law applied to facts about how two people lived. This site sees none of those facts and could not apply the law to them if it did.

De Facto Relationships in Wollongong — common questions

We were never married. Does family law apply?

It can. The Court can deal with a financial dispute after a de facto relationship breaks down if the relationship meets the definition in section 4AA of the Family Law Act 1975 and one of the further conditions is met. Whether it applies to you is the provider's to answer, not ours.

Is a property settlement possible for a de facto couple?

Property settlement and de facto relationships are both named services here and both have pages. How they meet in your case is a legal question for the firm.

Does it matter how long we were together?

It can. One of the Court's conditions is a relationship of at least two years, though a child, registration or significant contributions can meet the test instead. Whether it does on your facts is a question a firm can answer and this site cannot.