Consent Orders Vs Binding Financial Agreements (BFA’s)

There are two ways in which a property settlement agreement may be formalised in a binding manner, the first being the Consent Orders and the second being a Binding Financial Agreement (BFA). Whilst both these documents finalise the property settlement entitlements of the parties, they are quite different.

A Consent Order is a written document which reflects the agreement reached, is signed by the parties and witnessed by a Solicitor or Justice of the Peace. Such process involves the Minutes of Consent which detail the terms of the agreement and an Application for Consent Orders which detail the financial position of both parties and relevant background information, being filed in the Family Court of Australia and a Court Registrar reviewing the terms of the agreement to ensure that they are just and equitable, in other words, a fair division of assets. If the terms of the agreement are just and equitable, the Court will approve same and issue sealed Orders in terms of the Minutes of Consent. Although recommended, it is not a compulsory requirement for each party to obtain legal advice for the Consent Orders to be binding. There is no need to attend Court for the Orders to be made and the Registrar attends to making the Orders in Chambers. Should the Registrar require more information in their role in assessing the agreement, parties may be required to provide further information to the Court by way of Affidavit.

So what is meant by just and equitable? There is more to property settlement entitlements than a mere percentage, as although the parties may receive their reasonable percentage entitlement, the Court looks behind the percentages to the actual effect of the division and the assets retained by each party. Generally, the Court’s desire is to see a division of the liquid and non-liquid assets between the parties. For instance, the Court would be generally hesitant to approve an Order whereby one party receives all of the cash and the other party receives all of the superannuation, however, the Court is usually of the view that the party of the lesser financial standing should receive a higher proportion of cash. In order to ensure a division of the liquid and non-liquid assets, a superannuation split is often utilised, which effectively withdraws a specified sum of superannuation from the superannuation entitlements of one party and deposits the entitlements into the superannuation fund of the other party, allowing that party to access the superannuation upon the fund’s usual qualifying events, usually retirement.

Whilst a Consent Order finalises the property settlement entitlements of the parties and prevents either party from making a property settlement claim against the other parent, such document does not finalise the spousal maintenance obligations of the parties.

A Consent Order may finalise both property settlement and parenting arrangements in the one document, however, a Binding Financial Agreement only deals with property settlement matters and as such, a Consent Order may be a more cost-effective mechanism to formalise an agreement.

A Binding Financial Agreement is a written agreement which reflects the agreement reached, is signed by the parties and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or Solicitor, but unlike Consent Orders, it is a compulsory requirement for each party to obtain independent legal advice prior to signing the Agreement, which is evidenced by a certificate attached to the Agreement. There is no need for a Binding Financial Agreement to be filed in Court as the effect of the Agreement is that you are contracting out of the Court process.

A Binding Financial Agreement finalises not only the property settlement entitlements of the parties, but unlike Consent Orders, may also finalise the spousal maintenance entitlements of the parties.

Consent Orders have the same effect as Orders which have been made by the Court after a contested hearing. These Orders may be overturned in circumstances where:

  1. There has been fraud, duress or suppression of evidence. A common circumstance in this respect is the failure of one party to fully disclose the extent of their financial circumstances, for instance, failing to disclose a bank account or an asset of significant value. In assessing whether to dismiss Orders, the Court considers the impact upon the division of assets if the newly found asset was included and as such, it is usually only assets of significance which attract this provision;
  2. Where it is impracticable for the Order to be carried out or a person has defaulted in carrying out their obligations under the Orders. An example of this may be where the Orders provide for one party to make payment of a cash sum to the other party due to the first mentioned party retaining the family home. Should they be unable to make payment of the monies and the Orders not provide a provision in the event of default, this would be such an impracticability;
  3. Where there are exceptional circumstances as to the care of a child and it would cause hardship if the Order was not made. An example of this provision is where for some reason there was a complete reversal of the care and living arrangements for the Children and the party with whom the Children live requires more assets;
  4. Where a proceeds of Crime Order has been made. An example as to this provision is where stolen goods have been divided in the property settlement.

A Binding Financial Agreement may be overturned in circumstances similar to a Consent Order including:

  1. As with a Consent Order, the Agreement was obtained by fraud, including non-disclosure of a material matter;
  2. As with a Consent Order, if circumstances that have arisen since the Agreement was made make it impracticable for the Agreement or part of the Agreement to be carried out;
  3. As with a Consent Order, since the making of the Agreement a material change in circumstance has occurred, being circumstances relating to the care, welfare and development of a child of the marriage and as a result of the change, a party to the Agreement will suffer hardship if the Court does not set the Agreement aside;
  4. The Agreement relates to a superannuation interest which is an un-splittable interest.
  5. The following contractual principles:

(a) The Agreement is void, voidable or unenforceable;

(b) In respect of the making of a Binding Financial Agreement, a party to the Agreement engaged in conduct that was in all the circumstances unconscionable.

One has to be careful when entering into a Binding Financial Agreement as although they intend to finalise property settlement and possibly the spousal maintenance entitlements of the parties, these Agreements are more readily overturned than a Consent Order as with a Consent Order, the Court acts as a “cross-check”, but the Binding Financial Agreement has no such measure.

Should you have reached an agreement as to property settlement matters and or parenting matters, we can provide advice as to the most appropriate manner in which to formalise your agreement in a binding manner. One of our Solicitors would be pleased to take your call should you telephone our office for a free 15 minute telephone conversation to assist you in determining the appropriate next steps to take in your matter.

Legal Services Provided by Advance Family Law

Property Settlement – We provide advice in all property settlement matters whether parties are married or a party to a de facto relationship
Dispute Resolution – It is always in the best interests of all parties involved in property settlement disputes, particularly the Children, if an agreement is made between parties to settle such matters in an amicable manner and this is always the goal we have for our Clients at Advance Family Law.
Child Custody Law – We can help you understand your rights and obligations around child support
Domestic Violence – We can assist you in navigating your way through domestic violence issues
Family Law Advice – Call now and speak to our Specialist Family Lawyers for family law advice, so you know where you stand.

Brisbane Divorce Lawyers – We find that people usually prefer to obtain their own Divorce, by way of preparing and filing the Application for a Divorce and appearing at the Divorce Hearing, if necessary, allowing them to focus their financial resources upon their domestic violence, parenting and or property settlement matters.

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