Commencing Family Court proceedings can be daunting – not
only because it's an emotional time in your life, but because
of the high legal fees that can result from what can be a long and
drawn out process.
You might wonder, how will I be able to pay for a car, or
replacement furniture? How will I pay my pressing debts? Or my
legal fees?
In some circumstances, the Court will permit you (and/or your
spouse) to receive advances of funds along the way. These advances
are to pay for things which you might need in the short term or to
pay a pressing liability or for your legal fees. They come out of
the marital pool of assets, and are known as 'partial property
settlements.'
The word 'partial' refers to the fact that these
advances are not full and final property settlements. That will
come at the end of the family law process (either at a final
hearing, or a final settlement agreed between you and your spouse).
Rather, they are interim distributions to fund your
