PETER SZABO Partner  Marshalls & Dent  pszabo@mdlaw.com.au

Peter joined Marshalls and Dent in March 1999.

Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia since 1977, he is an Accredited Family Law specialist with particular expertise in handling financial issues and taxation/estate planning within property settlements. Peter is also experienced in international aspects of Family Law. He was admitted to the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2006

His extensive experience as a Family Law practitioner includes being the key legal representative in Ascot Investments Pty Ltd and Harper, a High Court decision in 1980 which remains the definitive case on third party rights in the Family Court. The case required consideration of complex financial, corporate and trust issues.

Peter has developed special skills in dealing with estate planning and tax issues associated with a family breakdown. He has been engaged by national financial planning institutions toassist their advisors with financial, tax and estate planning strategies and how they are affected by marital breakdown. With the changes to Superannuation and Family Law applicable from 28 December 2002, identifying these issues are all the more important. He is uniquely placed to ascertain and recommend what estate/asset protection strategies should be considered having regard to each individual client's personal situation. Over 25
years of dealing with the "emotional factor" in Family Law enables him to more precisely pin-point these delicate issues, which is essential in providing proper, rounded financial planning advice. That advice can then be implemented by the appropriate expert, being a financial planner, accountant, or tax lawyer, as the case may be. Some issues are:

• bankruptcy protection - involving the transfer of for example the marital home to protect it from relation back issues;
• making arrangements for "blended families" - where people remarry/reside in a defacto relationship, and both parties have assets and children. They may want to protect or share certain assets, depending on their circumstances;
• where a person is paying child support - to give consideration to child support trusts to effectively turn children into adult beneficiaries for tax purposes; and
• ensuring assets go to the client's children and not (for example) to the trustee in bankruptcy or an estranged son or daughter in law.

Peter was the founding Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Accreditation Board for Family Law Specialists in Victoria and was at the forefront in establishing legal specialisation in family law, the first area of specialisation in Australia. He is arguably the first lawyer to become an Accredited Specialist in Australia. Peter lectures to the Law Institute of Victoria, the Leo Cussen Institute (over 27 continuous years) and to the legal and accounting professions nationally, in all aspects of Family Law. He has written several books, including the Leo Cussen Institute's "Family Court Practice Manual" (first published 1985, the 5th Edition being released in 2004), "Family Law Financial Settlements for Accountants", and the chapter entitled "Family Breakdown" in the annual CCH publication "The Australian Master Financial Planning Guide". He  is a regular contributor of articles and papers to the media. He has written several articles on Family law published on the Marshalls and Dent Website.

Peter has an in-depth knowledge of information technology and proven experience as a computer consultant to the profession. He lectures nationally on the use of technology by lawyers and office automation. In November 2000, he lodged the first application by electronic means in the Family Court.

Marshalls & Dent
Level 13, 459 Little Collins St
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Phone 03 96705000
email pszabo@mdlaw.com.au