Melbourne Family & Divorce Lawyers
Speak with experienced Melbourne family lawyers about separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, child custody, property settlement, mediation and family court matters.
Melbourne's Leading Family Law Firm
Specialising in Family and Divorce Law
When you’re involved in a family law matter, like divorce, separation, parenting arrangements, child custody, property settlements, or thinking about child adoptions, having an experienced family lawyer in Melbourne is one of the most important steps you can take to safeguard your interests and future.
Family law disputes can be complex, time-consuming and emotionally overwhelming. You need the best family lawyers Melbourne has to offer, professionals who guide you through each stage with clarity, confidence and care.
At Unified Lawyers, we’re leading family law specialists in Melbourne and wider Victoria, delivering expert legal guidance across all areas of family law. Whether you require assistance with divorce, parenting disputes, financial settlements or urgent court applications, we will help you understand your position and outline your next steps.
By listening carefully and understanding your goals, we tailor our legal strategies to your circumstances. Every family matter is unique, and we treat it as such, providing personalised, strategic advice aligned with your objectives.
In addition to our legal expertise, we are committed to open and honest communication. You will always know how your matter is progressing and what your options are.
Across our broader family law team, we can assist clients in several languages, including Arabic, Greek, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Discover how our Melbourne family lawyers can assist you, or book your free confidential consultation below.
WHY UNIFIED LAWYERS
Why families across Melbourne choose Unified Lawyers
Family law is stressful enough. Here’s what makes working with our Melbourne team easier from day one.
Advice in your language
Our team speaks Arabic, Greek, Mandarin, Spanish, Vietnamese and more, so nothing about your matter gets lost in translation.
Clear fees, no surprises
You’ll understand what your matter is likely to cost and how our fees work before you commit to anything.
Family law is all we do
Divorce, parenting, property and financial matters, handled under one roof by people who work in this area every day.
Real support, not just paperwork
We explain your options in plain English and keep you informed at every stage, so you’re never left guessing.
We have
Accredited Specialists
in Family Law
Our accredited family law specialists are recognised by the Law Society of NSW for their proven expertise, experience and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for our clients.
Successfully Resolved Matters
Combined Years of Experience
5 Star Testimonials
YOUR MELBOURNE TEAM
Meet your Melbourne family law team
The people who’ll actually handle your matter. Our Melbourne team also speaks Arabic, Greek, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese, so you can talk things through in the language you’re most comfortable in.
WHAT TO EXPECT
What You Can Expect From Our Melbourne Family Lawyers
When you bring your family law matter to us, here’s what working with our Melbourne team actually looks like.
01
We get to know your situation
We start by understanding your personal circumstances and what you want to achieve.
02
A clear plan for your matter
We build a strategy around your goals and your situation, whether it’s divorce, parenting, property or finances.
03
You’re kept in the loop
We keep you informed at every stage, so you always know where things stand.
04
Clear, compassionate advice
We explain the legal issues and your responsibilities in plain English, with genuine care.
05
Focused on efficient progress
We work to resolve your matter as cost-effectively and as quickly as your situation allows.
NO PRESSURE, NO OBLIGATION
Start with a free first consultation
Ask your questions, and decide whether our Melbourne family lawyers are the right fit for you.
We aim for outcomes that make your life easier, giving you the information you need to make confident decisions about your future.
EFFICIENT, WELL-RUN RESOLUTION
Keeping your Melbourne family law matter moving
Family law drags when it’s badly run. We focus on momentum: clear next steps, quick responses, and resolving things as efficiently as your situation allows, so you can get on with your life.
A clear plan from day one
You’ll know the steps in your matter and what comes next, not just a pile of forms.
Prompt, plain-English updates
We respond quickly and keep the jargon out of it.
Focused on resolution
Where it suits you, we push for a sensible settlement rather than a drawn-out fight.
FREE FIRST CONSULTATION
No cost, no obligation. Talk your situation through with a Melbourne family lawyer.
or call (03) 9098 8687
WHAT WE HELP WITH
Family law services across Melbourne and Victoria
Whatever stage you’re at, there’s a Melbourne lawyer here who works in exactly this area. Start with the one closest to your situation.
MOST COMMON MATTER
Divorce Lawyers Melbourne
Separating, or ready to make it final? We guide you through the legal process: the 12-month separation requirement, the divorce application itself, and how it fits with sorting out property and arrangements for the children.
Sole or joint applications
Online or in person
Binding Financial Agreements
Formalise how assets and finances are divided in a legally binding agreement.
Binding financial agreement
Children & Parenting
Parenting arrangements, custody and what works best for your kids.
Child Custody
Spousal Maintenance
Financial support for a former partner who genuinely needs it.
Spousal maintenance
Intervention Orders
Protecting your safety with intervention orders against family violence.
Intervention orders
De Facto Relationships
The same family law rights and issues, for de facto couples.
De facto relationships
PROPERTY & FINANCES
Property settlements and asset division in Melbourne
Dividing what you’ve built together is often the hardest part of separating. The good news: there’s a clear legal framework for it. Family law property settlements commonly involve a structured four-step approach. If you want to set things out in advance, our prenuptial agreement lawyers Melbourne can help.
01
Work out the asset pool
Everything you both own and owe: property, savings, superannuation and debts, identified and valued.
02
Weigh up contributions
Financial and non-financial contributions from each of you, including raising children and running the home.
03
Consider future needs
Care of the children, earning capacity, age, health and other factors that affect what’s fair going forward.
04
Check it's just and equitable
The court, or your own agreement, tests that the overall division is fair in all the circumstances.
We also handle the parts that get complicated
Superannuation splitting
Valuing the family home
Full financial disclosure
Business & trust assets
Binding Financial Agreements
Undisclosed assets
CHILDREN & PARENTING
Parenting and child custody in Melbourne
When children are involved, everything feels higher-stakes. What used to be called custody is now about parenting arrangements, and the law changed in 2024. Here’s what actually guides decisions, in plain English.
There's no automatic 50/50
Equal time isn’t a starting right. Since the 2024 changes, arrangements are built around what’s best for the child, not a set formula.
The child's best interests come first
It’s the test that decides everything: their safety, their needs and their relationships matter more than what either parent wants.
Neither parent is favoured
The law doesn’t prefer mums or dads. Decisions turn on the child’s situation and safety, not on gender.
Many arrangements can be resolved without a final court hearing
A parenting plan, consent orders or mediation resolves the large majority of matters without ever needing a hearing.
We help with every kind of parenting matter
Parenting plans
Parenting consent orders
Relocation & move-away
Changing existing orders
Living & time arrangements
Parental responsibility
DEDICATED & AFFORDABLE
Dedicated, cost-conscious family lawyers in Melbourne
Worrying about legal fees on top of everything else is the last thing you need. So we keep cost simple and honest, and your first conversation with us is free.
Upfront about cost from day one
You’ll get a clear picture of what your matter involves and what it’s likely to cost, before you commit to anything.
Fixed fees wherever the work allows
For many matters we can agree a set fee, so you’re not watching the clock every time we talk.
No surprise bills
If something changes the scope of your matter, we talk to you first. You stay in control of the spend.
We’ll be straight with you
If you don’t need a lawyer yet, or a quick conversation will do, we’ll tell you.
$0
Your first phone consultation
No cost. No obligation. No catch.
A clear quote before you start
Fixed fees where we can
No surprise bills
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Your questions about family law in Melbourne
Straight answers to the things Melbourne families ask us most often.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Talk it through with our team
A quick, free conversation with a Melbourne family lawyer can clear up more than an hour of searching.
What does a family lawyer in Melbourne help with?
A family lawyer can assist with a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, separation, parenting arrangements, child custody disputes, property settlements, consent orders, spousal maintenance, de facto relationship matters, and family violence issues. Obtaining legal advice early can help you understand your rights, obligations, and available options.
Do I need a Melbourne family lawyer if family law is Australia-wide?
Australian family law is governed by federal legislation, meaning the same laws generally apply across the country. However, many people prefer working with a Melbourne family lawyer who understands the local court environment, Victorian support services, and the practical issues affecting families throughout Melbourne and Victoria.
When should I speak to a family lawyer after separation?
It is often beneficial to seek legal advice as early as possible after separation. Early advice can help you understand your rights regarding parenting arrangements, property division, financial support, and important time limits that may apply to your circumstances.
How do I get divorced in Melbourne or Victoria?
To apply for divorce in Australia, you generally need to show that your marriage has broken down irretrievably and that you have been separated for at least 12 months. A family lawyer can help you understand the divorce process, prepare the required documents, and address any related parenting or property matters.
What is the difference between separation and divorce?
Separation occurs when a couple decides to end their relationship and live separately, while divorce is the formal legal process that ends a marriage. You do not need to be divorced to negotiate parenting arrangements or property settlements, and many people address these issues before applying for divorce.
Can I sort out parenting arrangements without going to court?
Yes. Many parents are able to reach agreements through negotiation, mediation, or family dispute resolution without requiring court proceedings. In some situations, agreements can be formalised through Consent Orders to make them legally enforceable.
How is property divided after separation in Melbourne?
Property settlements are determined based on a range of factors, including the assets and liabilities of each party, financial and non-financial contributions, future needs, and what is considered just and equitable in the circumstances. Every case is different, and legal advice can help you understand how the law may apply to your situation.
Do we have to go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne?
Not necessarily. Many family law matters are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or Consent Orders without the need for a court hearing. However, court proceedings may be necessary where parties cannot reach agreement or where urgent issues need to be determined.
What are Consent Orders and when should I use them?
Consent Orders are legally binding court orders that record an agreement reached between parties regarding parenting arrangements or property settlement. They can provide certainty and enforceability without requiring a contested court hearing.
How much does a family lawyer cost in Melbourne?
The cost of engaging a family lawyer depends on factors such as the complexity of the matter, the issues involved, whether court proceedings are required, and the level of work necessary to achieve a resolution. During an initial consultation, a lawyer can discuss your circumstances and provide information about likely costs and available options.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Talk it through with our team
A quick, free conversation with a Melbourne family lawyer can clear up more than an hour of searching.
VISIT US
Our Melbourne CBD office
In the heart of the city, with appointments in person, by phone or by video, whatever works for you.
Unified Lawyers
Level 40, 140 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9098 8687
Speak with our Melbourne team
Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm