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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Clyde North, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(75)Google rating from 75 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Spirit Legal provides legal services in Clyde North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Pakenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mepstead Lawyers provides legal services in Pakenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Carrum Downs, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fountain Law provides legal services in Carrum Downs, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Sports & Entertainment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peninsula Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Family Law+1 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(57)Google rating from 57 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Settle & Secure Pty Ltd provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Licensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer).
Property & Conveyancing+2 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Licensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer)Free first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rowville, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mackinnon Jacobs Horton & Irving provides legal services in Rowville, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Commercial Litigation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Denise Dwyer Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Clayton, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Phoenix Conveyancing Victoria provides conveyancing services in Clayton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Partner & Family Visas and Building & Construction.
Property & Conveyancing+2 morePartner & Family Visas · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Slink & Keating provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ACE LEGAL SERVICES (AUSTRALIA) provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Patterson Lakes, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
DCA Lawyers provides legal services in Patterson Lakes, VIC. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Notary Public & JP Services+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languages
A practical local guide
Finding legal help in South East Melbourne
Understand your options, prepare your first conversation and choose a service that fits your situation.
Start with the issue, then the location
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.
The directory covers Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne, Moorabbin. These are browsing areas, not court boundaries or a guarantee that every listed firm serves every town. Check the firm’s actual address and ask whether it can take on your matter before making arrangements.
Appointments and access to advice
For a workplace or business issue, identify the employer or company and the relevant worksite. For a court matter, quote the venue on the notice so the firm can confirm its availability.
A metropolitan search can cross several suburbs and transport routes. Compare the actual office address, not just the region name, and ask whether follow-up meetings can be remote. If you need an interpreter, step-free access or a support person, discuss those arrangements before making the appointment.
Compare the scope, not just the quoted price
Ask what the initial consultation includes: listening to the background, reviewing documents, written advice or taking action. Request an estimate that separates the lawyer’s work from searches, applications, expert reports and other external costs. A free consultation or a fixed fee may cover a limited step rather than the complete matter.
Agree who will handle the file, how you will receive updates and when you must approve additional work. If another practitioner, barrister or adviser may be needed, ask who will arrange that work and how their charges will be explained.
Questions worth asking before you engage a firm
Do you regularly handle this type of matter in VIC, and do you have capacity to assist now?
Which facts or documents do you need before you can give an estimate?
Who will be my main contact, and which meetings or appearances require attendance?
What is included in the fee, what could change it, and when will you tell me?
Is a specialist, community service or different process better suited to this issue?
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.
The legal system in Victoria
South East Melbourne is a metropolitan area of Victoria. Local firms cover everyday legal needs such as wills, conveyancing, family law and local court matters, while specialist work is often handled by firms in the nearest major centre or the capital, many of whom act for clients remotely. 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.
First instance
Magistrates' Court
Intermediate
County Court
Superior court
Supreme Court of Victoria
Tribunal
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Family law
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Lawyer regulator
Victorian Legal Services Board
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Which courts hear cases from South East Melbourne?
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.
How do I check a lawyer is licensed in Victoria?
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.
Where do tenancy and guardianship disputes go?
In Victoria they are usually heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Can I use a lawyer outside my area?
Yes. Many firms act for clients across the state by phone and video, although local knowledge of courts and property markets can help.
