KAY HUNTSMAN

FAMILY LAW DIRECTOR

Phone: (02) 9290 1177

Fax: (02) 9290 1181

Email: khuntsman@uwe.com.au

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About

Kay was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court in December of 1988, having graduated with a combined Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Economics degree from Macquarie University.

After 35 years’ post-admission practice in the family law jurisdiction, including eight years during which she conducted child support review hearings and issued written determinations, Kay has a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of family law.

Kay has been with the firm since 2001. In 2007 she was appointed a Senior Associate and on 1 July 2012 was made a Partner. Since the firm’s incorporation on 1 July 2016, Kay has been the family law Director.

Kay manages the family law department, working with our other family law solicitors.

A respected member of the profession, Kay presents papers at professional development conferences, both at state and federal levels, and particularly for the benefit of newly admitted and family lawyers.

Client Approach

The goal in all matters is to resolve disputes in relation to property and parenting as amicably, expeditiously, and cost-effectively as possible. Kay has developed an approach to matters that is sensitive, result-focused, and highly practical. Wherever possible, a conciliatory approach is taken to resolve a dispute. Kay has extensive experience in negotiation and is an excellent communicator. She has access to a pool of retired Justices of the Family Court, experienced Barristers, and professional Mediators for the purposes of formal Mediation.

If a negotiated settlement is not possible, Kay has considerable litigation experience in relation to interim and final hearings (in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, both Divisions 1 and 2). She also has access to a highly experienced pool of Senior and Junior Counsel who specialise in family law and with whom she works closely in relation to litigated matters.

Areas of Practice

• Property – both complex (involving corporate and trust interests and third-party interests, cross-jurisdictional and international matters) and simple (family home, superannuation and chattels)
• Parenting – both complex (matters involving allegations of abuse and significant mental health or associated issues, and Hague Convention matters) and simple (disputes concerning time arrangements)
• Child support
• Financial Agreements (‘pre-nuptial’, ‘post-nuptial’ and other)
• De facto and same sex relationships (property and Financial Agreements)
• Divorce

Results

• Representing the father in a matter involving allegations of sexual abuse levied against the Father by the mother. The Court ultimately ordered that the children live with the father and that they spend limited and supervised time with the mother. This was a reversal of the arrangement that had existed since separation.
• Representing the mother in a successful relocation case, whereby the Court permitted the mother to relocate with the children from Sydney.
• Representing the mother of a young child in relation to an application by a grandfather for time with the young child. The grandfather’s application was summarily dismissed, sparing the mother a full hearing in respect of the matter.
• Representing the husband in a successful Appeal to the Full Court of the Family Court involving a complex issue in respect of property and the Home Building Act (NSW).
• Assisting, and liaising with, lawyers based in an overseas jurisdiction in relation to litigation, commenced in that jurisdiction by a sperm donor, in respect of a child of a same sex couple, including advice in relation to the Family Law Act 1975, given the Australian citizenship of the birth mother of the child.
• Representing husbands and wives in numerous property settlement matters, and fathers and mothers in numerous parenting matters, where favourable Judgments were obtained.