Expertise

Family lawyers in Richmond & Melbourne.

Separation, property settlements, children's arrangements, binding financial agreements and de facto matters, with clear advice through a difficult season, a focus on resolving things out of court wherever possible, and costs explained from the outset.

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Settlement first

We aim for agreement, and prepare properly if court is needed.

Children's interests centred

Arrangements built around the children, not the argument.

Costs explained up front

You know the likely cost of each stage before it starts.

Discreet and practical

Plain advice, no posturing, no unnecessary correspondence.

Our family law services.

Separation & divorce

First steps after separation, divorce applications and the decisions that matter early.

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Property settlements

A fair division of assets, superannuation and debts, documented so it is final.

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Children's arrangements

Parenting plans and consent orders focused on stability for the children.

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Binding financial agreements

Pre-nuptial and post-separation agreements that provide certainty in advance.

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De facto matters

The same property and parenting rights, with a different starting point to prove.

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Consent orders

Your agreement formalised through the court so it is final and enforceable.

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Separation advice

What to do in the first weeks, covering the house, the accounts, the children and the paperwork.

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Spousal maintenance

Support between former partners where one cannot reasonably meet their own needs.

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Child support

Assessments, change of assessment applications and binding child support agreements.

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Family violence intervention orders

Applications and responses in the Magistrates' Court, handled carefully and quickly.

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Parentage & paternity

Presumptions, DNA testing and declarations where parentage is in question.

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How we help.

Advice you can act on early

What the likely range of outcomes is, what to do about the house, the accounts and the children in the first weeks.

Negotiate a settlement

Correspondence, mediation and round-table negotiation aimed at an agreement rather than a hearing.

Document it properly

Consent orders, parenting plans or binding financial agreements so what you agreed is enforceable and final.

Run the case if we must

Where agreement is not possible, we prepare and run the application with counsel briefed appropriately.

The first consultation is a fixed fee, and we set out the likely cost of each stage before you commit to it.

How a family law matter progresses.

  1. 01

    Initial consultation

    We hear what has happened, explain your position and set out the realistic options.

  2. 02

    Disclosure

    Both sides exchange financial information, the foundation of any property settlement.

  3. 03

    Negotiation

    Proposals exchanged, with mediation or a round table where that will move things forward.

  4. 04

    Agreement

    Terms settled on property, superannuation and the arrangements for the children.

  5. 05

    Formalising

    Consent orders or a binding financial agreement prepared and filed so the outcome is final.

  6. 06

    Court, if needed

    If agreement is not possible, we prepare the application and run the matter through to hearing.

Clear family law costs.

Initial consultations and defined pieces of work such as consent orders or a binding financial agreement are fixed fee. Ongoing negotiation and litigation are charged at agreed rates with cost estimates at every stage.

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FAQs

Family law FAQs.

Still unsure? Call us on (03) 9008 7224 and speak to a lawyer, not a call centre.

How is property divided after separation?
There is no automatic 50/50 split. The court identifies the asset pool, assesses each party's financial and non-financial contributions, then adjusts for future needs such as care of children, earning capacity and health. Most matters settle within a negotiated range rather than at a hearing.
Do I have to go to court?
Usually not. The majority of matters resolve by negotiation, mediation or consent orders. Court is reserved for cases where there is a genuine impasse, urgency or a safety concern.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Married couples have twelve months from the date the divorce becomes final; de facto partners have two years from separation. Applying out of time requires leave of the court, so it is important to get advice early.
Are de facto partners treated the same as married couples?
Broadly yes for property and parenting, but you must first establish that a de facto relationship existed, generally at least two years, or shorter where there is a child or substantial contributions.
What happens with superannuation?
Superannuation is part of the asset pool and can be split by agreement or order. We obtain fund information and prepare the splitting orders as part of your settlement.
Do I need consent orders if we already agree?
Yes. A private agreement is not binding. Consent orders formalise the property split through the court and give both parties finality, including duty and capital gains relief in the right circumstances.
How are parenting arrangements decided?
By what is in the best interests of the children, their safety, relationships, stability, schooling and views appropriate to their age. Arrangements are usually documented in a parenting plan or consent orders.
How much will my matter cost?
That depends on how much is in dispute and how reasonable the other side is. We give a written estimate for each stage, and we will tell you when further legal cost is not commercially justified.

Related services.

Property & conveyancing

Transfers of the family home following a separation, including duty exemptions.

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Wills & estates

Update your will, attorneys and nominations after a separation.

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Binding financial agreements

Certainty about property, agreed before or after the relationship ends.

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Speak with a Richmond family lawyer.

Book a confidential consultation to understand where you stand and what the sensible next step is.

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