Looking for a reliable divorce lawyer in Melbourne? Dealing with a divorce can be a difficult time for an individual and all parties involved. That’s why you need a reliable attorney to take care of all your legal issues and handle your divorce application with professionalism.
In this article, we share with you our list of the ten best who will help you with the divorce process. This stage is undoubtedly hard and extremely stressful for the divorcing parties.
What Does a Divorce Lawyer Do?
A divorce lawyer is a legal professional who helps clients protect their rights during divorce, legal separation, and custody cases. They fall under the bigger umbrella of family law specialists who often work for family law firms and may work with legal assistants or paralegals. Many family lawyers practice divorce law as well, but that’s not always the case. Which is why we decided to make a new list.
How We Chose the Lawyers on This List
Here’s a detailed look at the criteria we used to curate this list:
Reviews
We examined client reviews and testimonials across multiple platforms to gauge overall satisfaction and client experiences. Positive reviews and high ratings are strong indicators of a lawyer’s competence and dedication.
Win Rate
We considered each lawyer’s track record in winning compensation cases. A high win rate reflects their ability to effectively represent clients and secure favorable outcomes.
We also looked at the types of compensation cases they’ve handled (personal injury, workers’ compensation, and medical negligence) to seek out expertise in securing compensation across various claims.
Availability
Lawyers with manageable caseloads are more likely to provide focused and personalized attention to each client. We prioritized lawyers who balance their workload effectively to avoid over commitment.
Years of Experience
While not always the sole indicator of quality service, experience can play big factor in legal expertise. We considered the number of years each lawyer has been practicing, with a preference for those who have extensive experience in compensation law.
Because of the complicated and intricate nature of the family institution, it is quite important to get a divorce specialist who’s not only competent but also compassionate and understanding. With that in mind, we came up with a list of the ten best in Melbourne. Take a look.
1. Pentana Stanton Lawyers
Pentana Stanton Lawyers is a firm with experience in Divorce Law, Family Law, Commercial Litigation, and Criminal Law. The group was founded in 2014 as a small team of generalist lawyers and would later grow into a medium-sized law firm with specialist departments.
The Family Law department at Pentana Stanton Lawyers is versed in extensive negotiations and out-of-court settlements, for all cases, including divorce. They also handle many other family cases and take care of litigation and complex trials in the family law courts.
Other cases that Pentana Stanton Lawyers handles under the umbrella of family law include the following:
- Complex property disputes.
- Child support.
- Prenuptial agreements.
- Spousal maintenance.
- Parenting disputes and child custody arrangements.
- Consent Order Applications and Binding Financial Agreements.
- And many more.
Pentana Stanton’s divorce and family law department work with its Commercial Litigation and Criminal Law departments to ensure the firm comes up with favorable outcomes for its clients with their separation matters. They help separate mutual Self-Managed Superannuation Accounts (“SMSF”), business structures, family violence-related matters, defending criminal charges, and more.
The team at Pentana Stanton Lawyers’ experience in divorce family law matters is reliable and reputable. Their team understands how distressing family separations and cases can be for the entire family and work with the utmost compassion, empathy, and understanding. The team strives to identify key issues and priorities in every case and act to achieve a swift resolution.
Pentana Stanton Lawyers serves the entire Victoria region, with offices in major court districts. Contact Pentana Stanton Lawyers Today.
Melbourne CBD Address: Level 3, 552 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Dandenong Address: Suite 9 (Level 1) 50-54 Robinson Street, Dandenong VIC 3175
Phone: (03) 900 22 800
Email: reception@pstanton.com.au
Website: pentanastanton.com.au
2. Empower Family Law
Empower Family Law and Mediation is a family law firm that specialises in offering professional assistance and guidance in various aspects of family law, including parenting disputes, property and financial division, superannuation splitting, asset protection, child support, spousal maintenance, grandparent’s rights, third-party property and child rights, litigation, mediation, prenuptial agreements, financial agreements, consent orders, contravention applications, recovery orders, and child relocation.
By choosing Empower Family Law and Mediation, you will receive the necessary support and representation to effectively manage your family law conflict and achieve the most favorable outcome. Additionally, the firm provides a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss legal entitlements, available options, and associated costs.
To get in touch, you can contact them today at 7020 6542 or send an email to info@empowerfamilylaw.com.au.
Address: Level 11, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone: 7020 6542
Email: info@empowerfamilylaw.com.au
Website: empowerfamilylaw.com.au
3. Unified Lawyers
Unified Lawyers, highly esteemed as one of the leading family law firms, has made significant strides in establishing its prominence not just in Sydney and Brisbane but also in Melbourne.
With their commitment to providing exceptional legal services, they have carved a niche in family law, earning the distinction of being named among the top three Family Lawyers in Sydney by Three Best Rated.
Now, the firm brings its expertise and dedicated legal practice to Melbourne, offering comprehensive services across all facets of family law including divorce, child custody, property settlement, and binding financial agreements, among others.
Having been consecutively rated as one of the best family law practitioners in Sydney for seven years, Unified Lawyers employs a team of seasoned lawyers and Accredited Family Law Specialists in Melbourne who pledge to achieve the most favourable outcomes for their clients facing family law issues.
Engaging with a family lawyer who specialises in separation and divorce matters enables clients to make informed decisions that are crucial during such challenging times. The firm is renowned for its divorce lawyers who offer tailored advice based on each client’s unique circumstances, ensuring a personalised approach to their issues.
Unified Lawyers, known for its empathetic approach, combines affordability with quality, offering new clients a complimentary consultation for personalised advice from only experienced family lawyers. With over 400 5-Star reviews on Google, you can rest assured that you are in safe and caring hands when you choose Unified Lawyers.
Whether in Melbourne or Sydney, Unified Lawyers prioritise your legal needs, offering round-the-clock assistance for any family law matter.
You can reach out to Unified Lawyers at any time to schedule your no-obligation, free consultation with one of their experienced divorce lawyers in Melbourne. With availability 24/7, they are ever-ready to extend their legal support and services.
Address: Level 40/140 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone Number: 03 9098 8687
Website: www.unifiedlawyers.com.au
4. Resolve Conflict Family Lawyers
For more than ten years now, Resolve Conflict Family Lawyers have been providing excellent family law counsel, making them one of the more reliable law offices in Melbourne. The firm has some of the most competent specialists in this branch of law. Resolve is a specialist firm with family law as its area of specialty. It will handle your divorce matter as well as any other residual family law concerns you may have. The firm also offers alternative dispute resolution services in the way of mediation. Reach the firm today using the contact information above to learn more about its legal services.
Address: 2/22 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 9620 0088
Website: resolveconflict.com.au
5. Australian Family Lawyers
Ranked as the nations most innovative family law firm, this firm is ahead of the curve when it comes to family law service delivery. The firm has offices not just in Melbourne, but also in Syndey and Canberra. Being a specialist firm, Australian Family Lawyers will handle any family law matter you may be having, including divorce. To make an enquiry about the firm, contact its team using the contact information listed above.
Address: Level 3/411 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 9088 3184
Website: australianfamilylawyers.com.au
6. Caroline Counsel Family Lawyers
Caroline Counsel is an accredited family law specialist with more than thirty years of experience in practice. Her firm has also been offering family law services to Melburnians for twenty years.
We recommend theses Melbourne family lawyers if you’re going through a divorce. She won’t let you down and will keep your best interests in mind. To learn more about her firm, visit its website. A link has been provided above. For any other enquiry, contact the firm’s team using the phone number above.
Address: 7/365 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 9320 3900
Website: ccfamlaw.com.au
7. Nicholes Family Lawyers
Although this firm is based in Melbourne CBD, it provides a wide range of family law services nationwide. We recommend it for your divorce matter.
These experienced family lawyers handle numerous matters within the family law branch ranging from divorce and domestic violence matters to binding financial agreements, financial settlements, time sharing with children, spousal support, child custody, and property settlements, international family law, and other legal matters about family law issues.
Learn more about your matter by visiting the firm’s website.
Address: Level 12/460 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 9670 4122
Website: nicholeslaw.com.au
8. Glezer Lanteri & Associates
A regular mention in our Victoria lawyers articles, Glezer Lanteri & Associates is a great option if you’re looking for a divorce law specialist. As a family law specialist firm, Glezer Lanteri offers services in virtually all areas of family law including international family law. To make an enquiry, use the contact information above to reach the firm’s team.
Address: Level 2/139 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 9658 7700
Website: glafamlaw.com.au
9. Calley Rajah Family Lawyers
With excellent client feedback, Calley Rajah is a highly recommended family law specialist. He went to law school at the University of Melbourne graduating with honours. The firm which has more than thirty years of experience in family law practice, handles all matters touching on this branch of law- including divorce. Reach the firm’s team using the contact information shared with you above.
Address: Level 18/350 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 9781 4222
Website: calleyfamilylaw.com.au
10. Accessible Family Law
Accessible Family law is yet another great exclusive family law firm . The firm has consistently good reviews across all review platforms including google reviews. Consider the firm for your divorce matter.
As a specialist firm, it handles matters solely in family law. In that branch of law it handles numerous cases including divorce, spousal maintenance, parenting matters, child support and financial agreements. To learn more about the firm, visit its website or contact its team directly.
Address: 27-33 Raglan St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia
Phone Number: (03) 7002 6222
Website: accessiblefamilylaw.com.au
7 Tips When Choosing Divorce Lawyers for Your Case
Choosing the right divorce lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case and your peace of mind. Here are seven tips to help you find the best divorce lawyer for your situation:
1) Look for Specialisation in Family Law
Choose a lawyer who specialises in family law and has substantial experience in handling divorce cases. This expertise is crucial for navigating the complexities of divorce proceedings.
2) Check Their Reputation
Research the lawyer’s reputation by reading online reviews and testimonials. Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have gone through similar experiences. A good reputation often indicates reliable and effective legal representation.
3) Assess Communication
Effective communication is key when working on a divorce. Your lawyer should be able to explain legal terms in a way you understand and keep you informed throughout the process. One way to gauge a lawyer’s communication and responsiveness is to schedule a consultation to gauge their communication.
4) Consider Their Approach to Conflict Resolution
Some lawyers are more adversarial, while others favour mediation and collaborative approaches. Choose a lawyer whose style aligns with your preference for resolving disputes. You’ll need to determine whether the best route is through negotiation or litigation. Then go for a lawyer who takes your desired approach best.
5) Check Their Availability
Working with a busy and unavailable lawyer can be quite stressful. Look for a lawyer that has the time and resources to dedicate to your case. A lawyer with too many clients and too little time may not provide the attention and effort your case requires. Ask about their current caseload and availability.
6) Discuss Fees and Costs Upfront
No, it’s not weird to ask about fees upfront, especially when your budget is limited. Transparency about fees and costs is, in fact, essential— always. Ask for a detailed explanation of their fee structure, including any additional costs that may arise. Compare fees from multiple lawyers to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
7) Trust Your Instincts
Personal comfort and trust are important. You should feel comfortable discussing personal matters with your lawyer and confident in their ability to represent your interests. Trust your instincts when making your final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
When can I apply for a divorce in Australia?
In Australia, you can apply for a divorce when you and your spouse have been separated for at least 12 months and meet the following criteria:
- You are legally married
- Your marriage has broken down irretrievably
- You and/or your spouse is an Australian citizen
- You or your spouse has lived in Australia for at least 12 months before applying for divorce, or you live in Australia and consider it your permanent home
- There is no reasonable likelihood of resuming married life
How do I get a divorce in Melbourne?
Here’s the process if you’re planning to file for a divorce in Melbourne, Australia:
- Divorce applications must be submitted to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
- The Court schedules the application for a hearing with a Judicial Registrar, typically 6 to 8 weeks after the application date.
- During the hearing, the Judicial Registrar evaluates the application and decides if a divorce should be granted.
- If approved, the divorce becomes final one month and one day post-hearing, at which point the Court issues a divorce certificate.
- Attendance at the hearing is not mandatory if the application is joint or there are no children under 18 involved.
- Most hearings are conducted online via Microsoft Teams.
- We can advise if your presence is necessary at the hearing and can represent you if needed.
What’s the difference between an annulment and divorce?
The distinction between an annulment and a divorce lies in the legal recognition of the marriage. Let’s take a deeper look.
- Divorce is the formal ending of a marriage that is legally recognized. It is the process by which a marriage is declared ended by the court. The main requirement for obtaining a divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, evidenced by a 12-month separation period. After a divorce, both parties are free to remarry.
- Annulment, on the other hand, is a legal decree that a marriage is null and void. This is different from a divorce in that it treats the marriage as though it never legally existed. Grounds for annulment in Australia include that the marriage was entered into under duress, fraud, one party was already married at the time, one or both parties were underage and did not have the necessary approvals, or the parties are closely related by blood. An annulment can be applied for at any time after the marriage ceremony, unlike divorce, which requires a minimum period of separation.
What is the Family Law Act?
The Family Law Act of 1975 brought about significant reforms to Australia’s family law system. It established a unified and comprehensive framework for resolving family law disputes, streamlining the process and reducing inconsistencies.
One of its key innovations was the introduction of a “no-fault” divorce principle, allowing divorces to be granted based on irretrievable breakdown of marriage without assigning blame.
The Act emphasized the best interests of children, making it a primary consideration in matters of custody and access. It established the Family Court of Australia, a specialized court dedicated to handling family law matters, ensuring expertise and consistency in decision-making. The Act also addressed property division, aiming for fairness and equal division of assets and liabilities upon divorce.
Additionally, it provided provisions for spousal maintenance, acknowledging potential economic disparities between partners. Over the years, the Act has been amended to adapt to changing societal norms, but its fundamental principles remain influential in shaping the Australian family law system, promoting child welfare, cooperative parenting, and equitable resolutions.
How long do divorce cases take in Melbourne?
In Melbourne, Australia, divorce cases generally require spouses to be separated for at least 12 months before filing an Application for Divorce. Once the application is filed, the typical timeframe for the final divorce order to be made is around 3 months.
The 12-month separation period is a legal requirement aimed at ensuring that the breakdown of the marriage is irretrievable. During this period, the spouses must live separately and apart, with no likelihood of reconciliation. Proof of the separation period may be required when filing the Application for Divorce.
After the application is submitted, it usually takes approximately 3 months for the divorce order to be granted by the Family Court of Australia or the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne. This timeframe allows for administrative processing, consideration of any additional documents or information, and scheduling of any necessary court hearings.
Final Thoughts
Any of the firms above will ensure that you get the best outcome out of your family dispute whether that is at the family law court or out of court. Getting that divorce order will be a bumpy journey, but these professionals will see to it that you get the results you want and need to move forward in life.
That said, we are cognizant of the fact that there are other great firms in the city. If you’ve had an amazing experience with a family law lawyer not mentioned here, feel free to contact us. We always respond. All the best!
