We at Journey hope you will find us easy people to talk to
about Family Law, divorce, property, children's issues, grandparents rights and issues surrounding
separation and re partnering. The new de facto laws and child support are also
our specialities.
But you don't know that about us until you call us or come in to see us.
To make
that first step a bit easier for you, allow us to
introduce ourselves so you can feel that you know us a little better before you
go on to the rest of our website. Take the time to read what
our clients say about us by clicking on the tab to the left.
We hope the site is of assistance to you as it
was designed with you in mind. This site is offered to you as an introduction
to family law, and provide a useful resource for you whether or not you become a
client of ours. We update often as it is Lynette's pet
project. Lynette wants you know that all spelling mistakes and any other quirks
are hers and hers alone, but in the interests of keeping the site fresh and
relevant, she does her own typing. We invite you to save this site as
a favourite to refer to through your journey through separation.
Why do we call the firm JOURNEY?
Well we wanted our name to remind people that there is an
end to what you are going through. This is a phase in your life's journey. The
word is intended to assure people that eventually they will be in a much more
comfortable and peaceful place and one just has to travel the route to get
there.
If you look at the logo, you will see two
intersecting circles that represent the two separating people. They are
different colours because the people who are separating come from different
perspectives to the separation. The overlapping part is the part of the lives
they shared and will always share through children, or through shared
experiences from when they were together.
When you look really closely, the intersecting circles
resolve into a white dove of peace flying. This represents the way we hope all
of our clients can find peace between them and their partner and freedom to move
on.
Like many people Lynette has had experience of separation
and divorce and has used her deeply personal experiences to ensure all Journey
clients get the result they want with the minimum of costs and difficulty within
the circumstances of their particular situation.
Family Law is the only thing we do, so you can be assured that we are able to
offer expert advice and experience. We all participate in Family Law training on
a regular basis to ensure that we are ahead of the many changes in Family Law.
Why we think we are different from other family law firms.
You are special to us.
In our firm, each solicitor has only a relatively small number of clients so that your
matter is given the attention it deserves and your solicitor is nearly always
available to talk to you. Experience tells us that this means your case will be
finalized sooner, with the resulting savings in stress and costs. We are
proud of the rate at which we settle our client's cases and close their files.
While we must work to the timeframes of the court, we are committed to keeping
your case moving, so that time is not lost unnecessarily. We understand that
every day that your case is not finished is a bit more stress on you and your
family.
We did not set out to be the biggest family law firm in Queensland ( although we
are one of the biggest), nor the most
prestigious (although our credentials stack up). We do, however try to be the
leaders in caring for clients and treating them with respect.
By specialising in Family Law we are able to ensure that our skills are kept
finely honed and we have the most up to date knowledge and law to hand at all
times. Our team approach means that we pool our expertise on difficult
files and as a result often achieve extraordinary results for people.
We know that many of our clients are experts in their own fields
just as we are in ours. We will not talk down to our clients. We will help
each client locate as much information as they want to help them understand the
Law and the Court process. ( If you don’t want to know about it, that’s ok!)
Our Team Approach
As our client, in addition to your principal solicitor, you will have the
benefit of another lawyer knowing about your case so that if by chance an urgent
matter arises and your own solicitor is unavailable, then the supporting
solicitor should be available to help you at once. You will have your
solicitor’s direct email address, and you will find that this is an effective
way of exchanging documents and information. (It is usually cheaper too.) With the
Online collaboration on documents that email allows, you should not have to
spend as much time in our offices as you would otherwise.
Indeed we have a number of overseas and interstate clients whom we have only
ever met by email. We are able to act for them quite effectively thanks to the
internet.
In addition, our Family Law Specialists Chris Turnbull and Lynette Galvin contribute to the team approach by
overseeing all files, and being available for telephone calls or consultation by
you or your solicitors as and when needed. Most strategic decisions regarding
your case would be made by one of the Specialists and your solicitor in conjunction with
you.
How you can help yourself:
In our firm, you are encouraged to have input in designing the progress of your
case. For instance you may have a view that your issues with your ex partner can
be negotiated. You may then decide to instruct us to invest more time in
negotiation than we would normally consider adequate. On the other hand, you may
believe that negotiation with your ex spouse would be fruitless unless there is
a court case pending, and instruct us to take the shortest time to filing those
documents.
Please be assured that when it comes down to a court hearing, we are a force to
be reckoned with. We understand that sometimes what is needed is a resounding
victory over an unreasonable ex partner before that person is ready to discuss
settlement.
We try to help clients help themselves by assisting in preparing their own
documents if they want to, and having meaningful input in the preparation of
their case. We understand that you are also coping with the emotions that
divorce and separation evokes. That is why you may occasionally receive self
help booklets from us or referrals to counsellors or mediators if you want them.
Our philosophy is to try to get you through this most difficult time in one
piece, both emotionally and financially. As a family law firm we believe that
family law is not just about arguing your way to a victory, but that we must
consider the impact of the court system on my client and how the outcomes can
best be achieved that promote harmony between all parties. Otherwise
there can be a legacy of bitterness and conflict that lasts years after the
court process is finished. One thing we always try to remember is that
that there will be Christmases and weddings and birthdays for our client's where
they need to interact with their families. We try not to write anything or do
anything that will make those times in the future less harmonious than they
should be.
We frequently have clients move to us from more "traditional" firms.
We give
confidential “second opinions” where you can meet with us for one hour for a set
fee and discuss your case. It may be that you simply want to be reassured that
your current lawyer is on the right track, or you may find that you are
considering a change of solicitor. Either way, you are welcome to send us an
email or make an appointment to discuss your particular situation.
We have the
“positive approach” that you may be looking for in a family lawyer. Each of the
solicitors in our firm was selected for their understanding, commitment to
mediated outcomes, litigation skill and for their flexibility in approach to
family law problems. They welcome your participation and involvement in your
case.
Our firm’s name reflects what we want to do for you, and that is to be a
guide by your side through your journey of separation.
Chris Turnbull, Queensland Law Society Accredited Family Law
Specialist, Family Dispute Resolution Provider,
Antonious Abdelshaheid,
Family Law Solicitor, Rockhampton.
Sian Cullen,Family Lawyer
Marita Kitchener Lawyer
Sarah Galvin Family Lawyer
Tracey Mc Millan Special Counsel Family Lawyer
Bryan Galvin Family Lawyer Director
Sonya Black, Family Lawyer
Joshua Peters Family Lawyers
Katherine Ross Family Lawyer
Jill Mc Keown Family Lawyer
Lynette Galvin,LL.B., B.Ed., J.P., Accredited Family Law Specialist, Law
Society Approved Mediator and principal of Journey Family Lawyers.
