Catalyst Family Lawyers

Central Coast based specialist firm of Family Lawyers dedicated to helping Central Coast families and couples going through divorce and separation.

Catalyst Family Lawyers are a Central Coast based specialist firm of Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors dedicated to helping Central Coast families and couples going through divorce and separation.
We understand you probably never thought you would need the help of a family lawyer. We know separation and divorce is a stressful and confusing time. For many people it’s their first experience of lawyers and the law.
As an accredited Independent Children’s Lawyer, our Accredited Specialist Family Lawyer, Paul Fawcett and our Family Law Solicitors are all too aware of the negative impact conflict has on children and the financial stresses separation can cause.
We will work closely with you to demystify the Family Law process in a calm and relaxed manner.
We avoid legal jargon and will speak to you in plain English, giving realistic and practical advice so that you know where you stand in respect of your divorce or separation and can plan for the next phase of your life.
If you are thinking about a separation or divorce or are going through separation or divorce we can assist you with:
• Advice: Whether you have parenting or child custody issues, property settlement or spousal maintenance issues; you are married; are involved in a de facto relationship; or are a GLBTIQ family; knowing where you stand can be very reassuring. We can discuss your family law situation with you and provide advice tailored to your specific circumstances and needs.

• Settlement Options: We can advise you of your settlement options including Mediation, Collaborative Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution and out-of-Court settlements and assess whether these processes are right for your situation.

• Court Representation: If you find yourself involved in Family Court proceedings we have the experience and expertise to ensure you are guided and supported through the process; and where possible, we will seek to facilitate a successful early resolution of your case.

• Urgent issues: If your ex-partner has taken the children or is threatening to dispose of assets we can assist you on an urgent basis.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

“Catalyst” [káttǝlist]
“Stimulus to change, somebody or something that makes a change happen”
We believe that from unhealthy marriages and relationships there are opportunities for new beginnings. Our name encompasses this philosophy and our logo is inspired by the Koru, an ancient Maori symbol of renewal, new beginnings.

We achieve this by:
• Listening - Advising and supporting you, never dictating down to you.
• Putting your family first - Appreciating what is important to you and your family and working towards solutions focused on those outcomes.
• Giving you control of the legal process - Giving you options and solutions and advising of the next steps so that you make informed decisions.
• Specialisation- We specialise in Family Law, it’s all we do.
• Being accessible and approachable - Promptly returning phone calls and e-mails. Using plain English and avoiding unnecessary legal jargon.
• Being progressive -
We are a dynamic, energetic young firm focused on the future not relying on old reputations. Our approach is informal but professional. We invest in the latest IT and legal research tools to ensure we are always on top of any new developments in the area of Family Law.

OUR PEOPLE:

Paul James Fawcett

Solicitor-Director
Accredited Specialist, Family Law
Independent Children’s Lawyer

After 5 years overseeing the Family Law practice of one of the Central Coast’s leading law firms, Paul established Catalyst Family Lawyers as a boutique specialist Family Law Firm.
“I want to help people going through separation or divorce work through their legal issues while maintaining their self-respect and dignity; people who want a fair financial settlement, care about what is best for their children and wishing to resolve their differences with their former spouses so that they, and their families, can move on with their lives. ”
Before commencing his legal career, Paul was a primary school teacher in inner-Sydney.
“As a teacher I saw first-hand the damage that can happen to children’s emotional and psychological welfare when their parents are ‘at war’ with each other. ”
As an Independent Children’s Lawyer (“ICL”) Paul represents at-risk children in complex parenting cases before the Family Law Courts.

“I’m a Family Lawyer because I enjoy helping people. I’m passionate about using my legal skills to help vulnerable kids who often get lost in their parents’ disputes”.

In 2003 Paul completed an internship in policy and law at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. As a Family Lawyer he has acted in many complex interstate and international Family Law cases including Hague Convention and international child abduction cases as well as international divorces and cross-border property settlements.
Born and educated on the Central Coast, Paul is uniquely placed to understand the issues and challenges facing our community.
Qualifications:
• Accredited Specialist – Family Law: Law Society of NSW
• Independent Children’s Lawyer – Legal Aid NSW
• Advanced Collaborative Practice: Collaborative Resolutions
• Collaborative Practice Level 1: University of Technology, Sydney
• Masters of Law and Legal Practice: University of Technology, Sydney
• Bachelor of Arts with the Diploma of Education: Macquarie University, Sydney
Professional Associations:
• Former Vice President and Board Member, Collaborative Professionals NSW
• Member, Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia
• Member, Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association
• Member, Law Society of New South Wales
• Member, Central Coast Law Society
• Member, Newcastle Law Society
• Panel Member, Legal Aid NSW Independent Children’s Lawyer
• Panel Member, Legal Aid NSW Family Law

Melissa Maree Gross:
Melissa began her legal career with the HIV /AIDS Legal Centre in Surry Hills where she worked advocating for the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised members of our community.
As a Family Lawyer, Melissa has had significant experience acting in complex parenting cases including those involving allegations of serious family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and mental health issues.
With her approachable yet professional manner Melissa is an excellent communicator who is able negotiated and help her clients reach early settlements to what have otherwise appeared cases impossible to settle.

Kelly Ann Smith: Conveyancing Manager and Executive Assistant
Kelly came to Catalyst Family Lawyers with extensive experience in Conveyancing, Commercial and Property Law.
As Conveyancing Manager, Kellie has assisted many of our clients to complete transfers of homes and other property as part of their Family Law settlements.
In her role as Executive Assistant, Kellie provides the key support to the firm’s Family Law Solicitors to ensure that clients’ enquiries and concerns are dealt with professionally and promptly.
Kellie is often the first point of contact new clients have with our firm with many telling us how her approachable, friendly manner has put their mind at ease and made calling to see a family lawyer for the first time that much easier.