Family Lawyers Melbourne

During our free introductory session, you’ll have an opportunity to speak to a family lawyer and get a clearer picture of your legal positions, and pathways for resolutions. You can ask questions about who will handle your matter, timelines, how often you’ll get updates, the range of possible outcomes and of course, fee structures and how matters are billed.

It’s a great way to get an idea of what’s ahead, and consider the options available to you. It’s worth making a list before your session begins, that covers your main concerns, to get the most out of the session. If you have any legal correspondence from your former partner, their lawyer or the court, or any orders in place, having them accessible is helpful for our team to better understand your matter. You can also use the session to get a second opinion on a current matter you are managing, as early or pre-separation advice or to get a better understanding of what course of action will be most helpful. There is no obligation to go ahead – but it’s a great opportunity to see if we are a good fit to work together.

The cost of a family lawyer in Melbourne depends on many factors. Answering this question without understanding the matter, or who is handling it, is difficult to do clearly for three reasons. 1 – It depends on the lawyer and law firm you work with. 2 – It depends on the type of matter you have. 3 – It depends on how much conflict or cooperation there is between you and your former partner. An idea of costs is generally given during your first consultation, but they may end up less if resolution is easier than expected, or more if either party decides to draw out the proceedings.

An hour of advice will cost in the hundreds with most firms, with costs rising based on the level of seniority and experience of the family lawyer you choose. Some firms offer fixed fees, but many bill on time. Private mediation and FDR can range from $1000-$5000+. Simple divorce applications and consent orders that have been agreed on will generally cost between $2000 – $8000. Binding financial agreements can cost between $5,000- $50,000, depending on the asset pool and detail involved in drafting. Parenting matters requiring negotiation can range from $5,000 to $20,000+, with costs rising to $100,000+ for contested matters that end up in court.  Property matters can range from $5,000 to $20,000 for more straightforward matters, or negotiated outcomes. Complex property settlements can range from $20,000 to $80,000, and those that go to court can be upwards of $200,000 for some matters. Fees for property matters are generally relevant to the size of the asset pool, and some higher range matters may be funded through options like JustFund, and deferred until a matter is finalised.

Yes we do, and this is a large proportion of our work, due to Marc’s experience with complex property matters. We can assist with property settlements that involve businesses, trusts, international asset portfolios, complex investment strategies, SMSF, family loans, hidden assets, generational wealth, inheritance, bankruptcy, cryptocurrencies and even intellectual property assets. 

We work closely with taxation specialists, accountants, financial advisers, valuers and forensic accountants when necessary, to ensure that property settlements are managed effectively, and in a manner that ensures legally and financially sound outcomes.

No, not at all. Only a small percentage of family law proceedings are resolved by a court determination, and very few ever make it to trial. Recent figures show that less than 7% of families in Australia have their family law matter decided in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and of those cases, 73% are resolved prior to trial. This means the trial rate in Australia is very low, and less that 1.89% of all family matters ever even reach trial.

Almost all family law matters can be resolved outside of court, through private or lawyer assisted negotiation. Keeping your matter out of court generally comes with significant cost savings and allows parties to negotiate in a less formal setting, reducing the stress involved. You can still reach a legally binding agreement with your ex-partner, without the need for a hearing.

There are many! Some people reach a private agreement, with agreements formalised by consent orders. Family lawyers have a range of methods to help people reach an agreement after a marriage or de facto relationship ends. Financial settlement, family law disputes and co-parenting issues can often be resolved through mediation, FDR, lawyer assisted negotiations or collaborative law practices.

These family law services are provided in private spaces, with experienced mediators or dispute resolution specialists serving as neutral third parties. Compared to litigation (going to court), these avenues are far less expensive (in most cases) and offer a more flexible way to resolve your matters.

Even if you do decide to go to court, for most parenting matters, you’ll need to provide a Section 60I certificate to show that you attended mediation prior to an application for a hearing. Our team has extensive experience resolving property matters, care arrangements and family law disputes through mediation. Get in touch to find out more.

We’re often asked by new clients, ‘do I need family law advice?’. Our answer is usually the same. While there is no legal requirement to see a family lawyer (unless you are drafting a BFA), it’s generally the most sensible option. It’s especially important if the other party has legal representation, or you are managing complex matters. Getting specialist family law advice will help you to understand your best course of action, map out a strategy and be realistic about what is and isn’t possible. You’ll have someone on your side who will ensure that any decisions you make protect your interests, and long-term outcomes. 

You may save money right now by not seeking advice, but this could cost you money and time in the long run if you cannot reach the outcome you want. It may also mean that you are placed in a situation in which you respond without understanding the implications, or don’t understand your rights or entitlements and take a smaller settlement than is possible or lose the chance to spend valuable time with your children.

A family law expert helps with most matters relating to relationship law – such as marriages, de facto relationships and parenting matters. Family law services do not cover family disputes unrelated to these areas, such as two adult siblings in a financial dispute. 

Our family lawyers can help you to:

• Create enforceable, binding financial agreements before or during a relationship
• Manage divorce, separation, de facto and same-sex relationship breakdown
• Reach the best possible resolution for parenting arrangements
• Get what you’re entitled to during your property settlement, apply for spousal maintenance or manage international property settlements
• Resolve complex financial matters during asset division such as bankruptcy, SMSF, superannuation splitting and 
• Create legally enforceable consent orders to formalise family law agreements
• Move forward safely after experiencing family violence 
• Manage urgent and distressing matters such as parental child abduction, contravention orders and parental alienation 
• Address complex children’s matters, through Independent Children’s Lawyers, family reports, parenting co-ordination or international Hague Convention applications
• Resolve issues that come up later on, like non-payment of child support, relocation matters or co-parenting disagreements

• Assist with adoption, kinship and surrogacy matters

Most of all a great family lawyer will provide timely advice, ensure you understand your legal position and options – and provide support and guidance while your matter is resolved.

The Family Law Act 1975 has gone through some significant amendments since 2023, with parenting laws reshaped in 2024, and property laws shifting in 2025. They don’t affect matters resolved before that time. 

On May 6th, 2024, changes to parenting laws came into effect that addressed how the court defines a child’s best interests, the removal of the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, strengthening of family violence protections, changes to how relocation orders are assessed and an introduction of cultural protections for Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander children. 

On June 10th, 2025, property reforms came into effect, including the codification of the property settlement framework (reflecting the High Courts approach in Stanford v Stanford [2012] HCA 52), stronger consideration of the impact of the economic impacts of family violence, the recognition of companion animals, how the courts deal with financial wastage (such as gambling), and the removal of the former ‘add backs’ approach.  Significant changes have been made to how family violence is assessed during property settlement, in some part due to Kennon & Kennon [1997] FamCA 27. Section 79(4)(ca) now addresses the effect of family violence on a party’s ability to contribute, and section 79(5)(a) considers how this may impact a party’s future needs.

June 2025 also saw new legislation for improved protections to how sensitive family law information is handled.