Family & Relationships lawyers in Northern Melbourne
Family lawyers help with separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and dividing property. Most matters settle through negotiation or mediation, with court as the last step.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Broadmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Firearms & Licensing MattersFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dellios West & Co provides legal services in Fairfield, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lorraine Jones & Associates provides legal services in Eltham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MDM Lawyers provides legal services in Essendon North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Steel Chinka (HEP) Lawyer provides legal services in Greenvale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Buying or Selling a Business · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dellios West & Co provides legal services in Thomastown, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carew Gartlan McClelland provides legal services in Eltham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Elder Law & Aged Care
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Thompson Norrie Solicitors provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Family Property Settlement · Building & Construction · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Tolhurst Druce & Emmerson provides legal services in Riddells Creek, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
De Marchi & Associates provides legal services in Brunswick, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Administrative & Government Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: arabic, italian
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria provides legal services in Collingwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Building & Construction and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Planning & Environment · NDIS & Disability Law
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Craigieburn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in Epping, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Moonee Valley Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Strathmore, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Licensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer) · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction
Nanscawen Lawyers provides legal services in Essendon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law
Ozcan & Co Conveyancing Services provides conveyancing services in Westmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Patrick Smith Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Sarah Jefford - Family Lawyer provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Surrogacy & Adoption, Family Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Surrogacy & Adoption+3 moreFamily Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Sunbury Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Sunbury, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Tartaglia Lawyers provides legal services in Ascot Vale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law
Family law in Australia is mostly federal. Parenting and property matters run under the Family Law Act and are heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, or the Family Court of Western Australia in WA. A good family lawyer will explain your likely outcome early, push for a negotiated agreement where it's safe to do so, and prepare you properly if a court hearing is needed. Where there is family violence, they can also help you get protection orders from your state's local or magistrates court.
Why family law matters
Family breakdown is one of the most common reasons Australians need a lawyer, and decisions made early affect children and finances for years.
The Australian context
Family law is one of the few areas run federally, under the Family Law Act 1975, with separate protection order schemes in each state and a separate Family Court in Western Australia.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to family & relationships in Northern Melbourne
Choosing the right kind of assistance
Family matters often involve several decisions at once: living arrangements, children, immediate expenses, property and formally ending a marriage. A useful first consultation separates those issues and identifies what needs attention now. Tell the lawyer about safety concerns and existing orders before arranging discussions involving another person.
Working with a firm in Northern Melbourne
Preston, Broadmeadows, Epping and Heidelberg cover different parts of Northern Melbourne. For family, housing or employment matters, start with the exact issue and any documents already received rather than choosing by distance alone.
For family & relationships, 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 Northern Melbourne. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
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.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of 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.
Dates to raise at first contact
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.
Questions to ask a family & relationships adviser
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
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.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
Is mediation compulsory?
For parenting disputes, you usually need a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner before filing in court, unless an exception applies such as family violence or urgency.
