Are there any restricitions on the courts ability to make property or maintenance orders?
Except where the couple have registered a deed of relationship, a Tasmanian court cannot generally make either a property or maintenance order under the Relationships Act unless the relationship between the couple has existed for a minimum period of two years. Other exceptions to this general rule are where the parties have a child or the applicant is caring for the child of the respondent or where the applicant has made substantial contributions to the couple’s joint assets which would not otherwise be compensated for. Although the Tasmanian courts have some discretion to extend that time limit, applications for maintenance or property adjustment should be made within two years of the relationship ending.
