Meet the team behind
The Family Lawyer

Your enquiry will be directed to a lawyer with experience in the type of issue you need help with. Family law matters can involve very different legal and practical issues, so it is important that your matter is reviewed by someone who understands the specific area involved. For example, urgent parenting matters, property settlement, financial agreements, intervention orders, child support, spousal maintenance and Court proceedings each require a different approach.

When you enquire, we will consider the nature of your matter, the level of urgency, whether there are Court dates or deadlines, whether documents have already been served, and whether your matter requires specialist advice. If you have a preferred lawyer, you should tell us when you make your enquiry. We will discuss that lawyer's availability and whether they are the most suitable person to assist with your particular issue.

Where appropriate, your matter may involve more than one person in the firm. This may include a principal lawyer, solicitor, law clerk or administrative team member. The aim is to ensure your matter is managed efficiently, strategically and with the right level of expertise at each stage.

Yes. The firm can assist with negotiation, mediation and Court steps where required. Not every matter needs to go to Court, and in many cases the best outcome is achieved through early advice, negotiation, mediation, Family Dispute Resolution, consent orders or carefully drafted agreements. However, where Court proceedings are necessary, we can assist with preparation, strategy and representation through the relevant stages of the matter.

Court may be required where there are urgent parenting issues, family violence concerns, relocation concerns, recovery issues, non-disclosure, asset protection risks, contravention or enforcement issues, or where the other party will not engage reasonably. Court may also be necessary where interim orders are needed to stabilise children's arrangements, preserve property, require disclosure, or manage immediate financial concerns.

Effective Court representation is not limited to appearing on the day. It involves identifying the issues, preparing evidence, drafting appropriate orders, understanding the procedural pathway, considering negotiation opportunities and ensuring that your case is presented clearly. We will explain the purpose of each Court event, what is likely to happen, what documents are required and what decisions need to be made before the hearing.

Legal costs are explained at the beginning of the matter and as the matter progresses. We know that legal costs can be a major concern, particularly in family law matters where clients may also be managing separation, parenting stress, mortgage payments, business pressure, financial uncertainty or Court deadlines. Our role is to help you understand the likely cost of the work required and the factors that may affect those costs.

Costs are usually discussed during your appointment, set out in a costs agreement, and updated as your matter develops. Where possible, we provide estimates for particular stages of work. However, family law costs can be affected by factors outside your control, including the conduct of the other party, urgency, Court timetables, disclosure issues, the number of disputed issues, the quality of documents provided, and whether agreement can be reached.

You can help reduce costs by being organised, providing documents electronically, naming documents clearly, consolidating questions, responding promptly, following advice, and focusing on the issues that matter most. Using negotiation, mediation or other dispute resolution options where appropriate can also reduce costs, provided your legal position is still protected.

Our offices are located in Melbourne CBD, Boronia, Dandenong and Glen Iris. You can call our main number on 1300 111 835 and your enquiry will be directed to the appropriate person. If you have a preferred office location, you should let us know when arranging your appointment so we can discuss availability and suitability.

The appropriate office may depend on the nature of your matter, the lawyer assisting you, the urgency of the issue, and whether your appointment is best conducted in person, by phone or by video. Some matters are well suited to a phone or video appointment, particularly where the purpose of the appointment is to obtain preliminary advice, review documents, discuss strategy or identify the next steps. Other matters may be better suited to an in-person conference, especially where there are extensive documents, sensitive issues or complex Court material.

When booking, we will help determine the most practical appointment format. The priority is to ensure that you receive clear, timely and useful advice, whether your appointment is conducted in person or remotely.

Phone, video and in-person appointments may be available depending on your matter, the lawyer's availability and the type of advice required. Many family law appointments can be conducted effectively by phone or video, particularly where documents have been provided in advance and the purpose of the appointment is to obtain advice, understand your options, review Court documents or plan the next step.

In-person appointments may be preferable where your matter is complex, sensitive or document-heavy. This may include matters involving extensive financial disclosure, business interests, trusts, family violence issues, urgent Court documents, intervention orders, or circumstances where you feel more comfortable discussing your matter face-to-face.

The format of the appointment does not change the quality of the advice. What matters most is preparation. You should provide relevant documents before the appointment where possible, including Court documents, correspondence, financial material, agreements, intervention orders or any documents you have received from the other party or their lawyer.

When you enquire, we will discuss the most appropriate appointment format. The aim is to make the process efficient, accessible and suited to the legal issues requiring attention.

Before your first appointment, gather the key documents and information relevant to your matter. You do not need to have everything perfect, but the more organised the information is, the more targeted the advice can be. If you have received Court documents, letters from another lawyer, intervention order material, proposed agreements or financial documents, provide them before the appointment if possible.

For parenting matters, prepare the children's names and ages, current care arrangements, schooling, health issues, communication arrangements, any family violence concerns, and any existing parenting orders or agreements. For property matters, prepare a list of assets, liabilities, superannuation, income, businesses, trusts, companies, loans, inheritances, mortgages and any major financial changes since separation.

It is also helpful to prepare a short chronology. Include the date the relationship started, when you began living together, the date of marriage if applicable, the date of separation, major financial events, significant parenting events, Court dates and any urgent issues.

You should also write down your main questions. This helps ensure the appointment focuses on what matters most: your legal position, immediate risks, available options, likely next steps and the most efficient pathway forward.