Family & Relationships · South East Melbourne
39 domestic violence & avos firms in South East Melbourne, Victoria, including Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne, Moorabbin.
39 firms
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
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.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Gale Family Law provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Bail Applications.
Narre Warren, VIC · South East Melbourne
Silk Legal provides legal services in Narre Warren, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Parenting & Child Custody.
Berwick, VIC · South East Melbourne
We Care Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Berwick, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Rowville, VIC · South East Melbourne
JH Legal provides legal services in Rowville, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Bentleigh East, VIC · South East Melbourne
Hamilton Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Bentleigh East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
South Melbourne, VIC · South East Melbourne
Gale Family Law provides legal services in South Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Balaclava, VIC · South East Melbourne
A. Shenken & Co provides legal services in Balaclava, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Binding Financial Agreements.
Mckinnon, VIC · South East Melbourne
Conveyancing World provides conveyancing services in Mckinnon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Endeavour Hills, VIC · South East Melbourne
Just Family Law - Family Lawyers Dandenong provides legal services in Endeavour Hills, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
NSW · South East Melbourne
Make It Yours Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Partner & Family Visas.
Murrumbeena, VIC · South East Melbourne
Sargeants provides conveyancing services in Murrumbeena, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Beaumaris, VIC · South East Melbourne
Sargeants provides conveyancing services in Beaumaris, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Sandringham, VIC · South East Melbourne
Vic Rajah Family Lawyers Sandringham provides legal services in Sandringham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
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.