Family & Relationships · South East Melbourne
39 domestic violence & avos firms in South East Melbourne, Victoria, including Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne, Moorabbin.
39 firms
Hallam, VIC · South East Melbourne
Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Hallam, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Each state has its own protection order scheme, called AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland and restraining orders in WA. Police can apply on your behalf, or you can apply yourself. A lawyer can explain the conditions, represent you at court and connect the order with any family law proceedings.
Protection orders can stop threats, contact and harassment quickly. For respondents, an order can affect housing, parenting time, firearms licences and some jobs.
Each state has its own scheme: AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland, restraining orders in WA and SA. Orders are made in state local or magistrates courts and are nationally recognised under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.
Understand the next step
Tell the lawyer whether you need protection, have been served with an application or already have an order. Use a safe method of contact and make the next hearing date clear at the outset.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. A directory enquiry is not an emergency service or confirmation that representation has been arranged.
Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne and Moorabbin span a broad search area. A firm’s suburb, meeting options and experience with your matter are more informative than the South East Melbourne label alone.
For domestic violence & avos, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South East Melbourne. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
In Victoria, the Magistrates' Court hears most criminal and minor civil matters, with the County Court and Supreme Court handling more serious cases. Residential tenancy, planning, building and discrimination disputes often go to VCAT. Lawyers are regulated by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner, which also handles complaints.
Domestic Violence & AVOs firms in South East Melbourne
Good to know
No. A protection order is a civil order. Breaching it, however, is a criminal offence.
Call 000. Police can make or seek urgent orders. For support, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours.
Most matters start in the Magistrates' Court. More serious cases go to the County Court or the Supreme Court of Victoria. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
St Kilda, VIC · South East Melbourne
MK Law Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in St Kilda, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Drug Offences.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Cheltenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
Kingston Lawyers provides legal services in Cheltenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Brighton, VIC · South East Melbourne
A. Shenken & Co provides legal services in Brighton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Binding Financial Agreements.
Mulgrave, VIC · South East Melbourne
Eminent Lawyers provides legal services in Mulgrave, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Albert Park, VIC · South East Melbourne
Turnkey Conveyancing & Matt Behan Legal Services provides conveyancing services in Albert Park, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Highett, VIC · South East Melbourne
De Kretser Law provides legal services in Highett, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Divorce & Separation.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Pakenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
Mepstead Lawyers provides legal services in Pakenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Denise Dwyer Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Family Law.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Slink & Keating provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Divorce & Separation.
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Cottier Stenning Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
The Peoples Lawyers provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Balaclava, VIC · South East Melbourne
A. Shenken & Co provides legal services in Balaclava, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Wills & Estates.
Black Rock, VIC · South East Melbourne
Burrell Family Law provides legal services in Black Rock, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Freemont Family Lawyers Dandenong provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Elwood, VIC · South East Melbourne
Make It Yours Conveyancing provides legal services in Elwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Partner & Family Visas.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Just Family Law - Family Lawyers Dandenong provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Practising certificates in Victoria are managed by the Victorian Legal Services Board. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.