Many families in Australia are experiencing considerable stress related to fears about COVID-19, economic pressures (the loss of livelihood or income; rent or mortgage stress, etc), the strain of sudden forced confined close relationships, and juggling children and work from home. New challenges and stresses are emerging in particular for separated families, family law professionals, and family law courts.

In this paper, the authors reflect on some of these challenges in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic.