Laura Lincoln

Laura Lincoln

Family Law - Principal Lawyer - Sydney

1300 038 223

Laura Lincoln holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wollongong, a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law. She was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia in 2018.

Laura practices exclusively in family law and has done so since commencing her career in the legal profession. She is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for her clients across all areas of family law.

As a parent herself, Laura understands how difficult it can be for children impacted by separation and how important it is to consider their needs throughout the process. Laura also recognises that her clients are experiencing one of the most difficult times in their lives, and offers professional legal advice tailored to their circumstances and navigates a pathway forward to resolve the matter.

Laura assists clients with their property matters, some of which have included corporate clients with complex company and trust structures and other assets held internationally. She has a keen eye for the forensic analysis of financial documents as is often required in complex cases.

Laura is also experienced in drafting and advising clients regarding Binding Financial Agreements and advising clients regarding Child Support disputes. Laura has drafted Child Support Applications and has successfully appealed decisions made by the Child Support Agency.

Laura always strives to settle matters amicably and without commencing court proceedings where possible, assisting clients to resolve their matters through negotiation, often attending dispute resolution conferences with her clients.

In the event that a matter is unable to settle, Laura is an experienced family law litigator, regularly appearing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Laura has also appeared before the Specialist Judges in Division 1 of the Court, which deals with the most complex Family Law disputes.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog Luna and catching up with friends over dinner. Laura’s interests include travel, real estate and dance.

Memberships & Affiliations

Member of the Law Society of New South Wales
Member of the Family Law Section
Member of the St George and Sutherland Regional Law Society
Member of the Golden Key International Honours Society

Thank you for everything, especially guiding me through it on an emotional level. It felt personal and meant a lot to me. I wish you all the best in the rest of 2023. I have no doubt you’ll smash it. “B” – Family Law Client

I am impressed with your intellectual capabilities and breadth and depth of your knowledge of the law. “J” – Family Law Client

A good victory this year, thanks very much for your efforts in relation to this. We acted and went into the offensive with surgical and timed precision. All the best for the holiday period… Thank you Laura, from (child’s name) and I – Family Law client

How grateful I am that you are my lawyer as you are an expert at your job, very nurturing and caring like a great friend, a wonderful counsellor and expert lawyer all in one. I truly feel protected and cared and advocated for. Thanks for your invaluable efforts, advice and support. I have a lot of trust and confidence in you and your expertise and capacity.

– “H” – Family Law Client

The Gambler: A Family Law Success Story

In family law, it is common to hear accusations that a former partner ‘wasted’ money during the relationship or following separation. This is often because a person needs to seek out support to help them overcome a damaging habit, such as compulsive gambling. But what happens when a former partner continues to gamble away a significant amount of money that would otherwise be considered ‘matrimonial funds’, to be distributed between the parties when their matter is determined by the court? What was once a property pool of two million dollars, may now be reduced by half (or more) because of a party’s ‘wastage’.

In a recent matter that was before the court, our solicitor, Laura Lincoln, was faced with this situation. Our client held a respectable job that paid a modest income and worked hard for the family while also raising her child. Her de-facto partner earned significantly more than her, but struggled with a gambling addiction. It was only through the forensic analysis of a significant volume of bank account statements and other financial records dating back throughout the relationship, that our client learned just how much her former partner had gambled away.

Ms Lincoln carefully compiled all the information showing each amount gambled along with all the transaction details into a concise reference table. When the other parties were presented at the dispute resolution conference, the matter was settled and orders were made ino ur client’s favour. The client was required to pay a very small sum of money to the other party in comparison to the ‘pool’ of property that was available for distribution and was able to retain all of the major assets including the house, for herself and her child.

Child Recovered and Costs Order Made in Client’s Favour

In a matter that has been before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for some years now, our solicitor Laura Lincoln successfully pursued a costs order made in favour of our client. The proceedings were initiated when the other parent refused to return a very young child being held interstate, to our client, who was the primary carer. Such an application is often referred to as a ‘recovery application’.

The child was returned to our client in accordance with the Recovery Order that the court made. The court also made a Costs Order providing that the parent who had withheld the child had to pay a portion of our client’s legal fees.

Costs Orders are rare in family law proceedings, particularly in parenting matters, so this was a great outcome for our client.

Settle If You Can: A Family Law Matter Resolved Without Litigation

Any good family lawyer will tell you that if a matter can be resolved outside of court, it should be. Litigation is costly, emotionally draining, and time-consuming. When a client recently approached our solicitor Laura Lincoln requesting assistance with finalising and distributing property held by the client and their former de-facto partner, Ms Lincoln aimed to settle the matter.

Ms Lincoln created a ‘balance sheet’ compiling information on the property held by both parties. Market appraisals were attended to and values agreed on between the parties. After advising the client on what a just and equitable distribution of property might look like, Ms Lincoln drafted Consent Orders reflecting an agreement reached between the parties that recognised our client’s contributions. The Consent Orders were made and implemented within the required timeframes. The matter was closed within five months.

Such an outcome is a win for all involved. Both parties avoided the financial and emotional cost of litigation, remain on amicable terms, have closure and are able to move on with their lives. Success all round!

Sydney Office

Level 45
680 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Tel: (02) 9261 4555

Melbourne Office

Level 2
326 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel: (03) 9620 2777

Brisbane Office

Level 5
40 Creek Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

Tel: (07) 3229 4448

Canberra Office

Level 6
AMP Building 1 Hobart Place
Canberra ACT 2601

Tel: (02) 6288 1100

Perth Office

Level 15
251 Adelaide Terrace
Perth WA 6000

Tel: (08) 9321 5505