Divorce Lawyers Melbourne
Experienced Divorce Lawyers in Melbourne
Clear advice, strong representation, and practical solutions to help you move forward with confidence.
2025
APAC Business Awards
(Family Law Firm of the Year – Australia)
Our Awards
ASSISTED OVER 5,000 FAMILIES
Divorce is the formal dissolution of a marriage at law. Melbourne Family Lawyers is experienced in representing individuals and couples in divorce proceedings.
We understand that divorce can be one of, if not the most, emotionally taxing legal proceedings of an individual’s life. Having a legal team to back you will help you navigate the procedural requirements of divorce, including:
* Ensuring timeframes are met
* Preparing separation documents
A divorce lawyer will also provide you with a strategic edge. Our team of Melbourne divorce lawyers are experienced in anticipating additional claims which may arise from your divorce and handling them in their stride:
* Parenting arrangements and custody disputes
* Property and asset division
* Spousal maintenance claims
We can also advise you on the No-Fault Divorce Approach. A no-fault divorce is a formal dissolution of marriage that assigns no blame to either party. Under this approach, each party just needs to establish that the marriage has broken down to obtain a divorce.
Move forward with clarity and confidence.
Divorce Doesn’t Have to Mean Losing Yourself or Your Future
Melbourne Family Lawyers understands that divorce can be emotionally and financially taxing. With the right legal team in your corner, you can trust that your divorce is being handled with the best interests of you and your family at the forefront. Our team of experienced divorce lawyers want you to know your rights are protected so that you can focus on what matters.
Whether the separation is mutual, or whether one party is contesting it, we have the best divorce lawyers to guide you each step of the way.
The Divorce Process Explained
- Get a copy of your marriage certificate The marriage certificate establishes that a marriage has taken place. If you don't have a copy of the marriage certificates, your lawyer can help you with this step. If the certificate is not in English, it will need to be translated.
- Complete an online divorce application using the ComCourts portal Submitting your divorce application can now be done online. The online form makes it easier for you to do this yourself.
- Pay the filing fee When submitting your divorce application online, you will also have to pay the filing fee, which is usually $1,125 AUD (or $375 AUD if you’re eligible for the reduced fee).
- Notify your ex-spouse If your partner agrees to the divorce, you can file a joint application. If your partner does not agree, or seeks to contest the divorce, you must serve the divorce application on your ex-spouse 28 days before the divorce hearing (or 42 days if they live abroad).
- Determine if a court appearance is necessary While these are the standard steps in the divorce process, if you choose to engage a lawyer they will manage or assist with each stage. A Melbourne Family Lawyers divorce lawyer can help you make the process simpler and less stressful.
Watch and Learn
View our video and learn more about us
Meet Some Of Our Family Lawyers
Hayder Shkara
Director & Practice Manager
Katherine Siotos
Solicitor
Stephanie Hope
Senior Associate
Giuseppe Rubino
Senior Associate
Trusted Divorce Lawyers Melbourne – Guiding You with Clarity and Care
Going through a divorce can feel like carrying a heavy weight. Our team at Melbourne Family Lawyers, understands the stress and emotional strain this process brings into your emotional well-being. With our help, you get a team that keeps things calm, clear, and practical. We explain what is happening, what matters, and what you can do next, so you feel in control while everything is changing around you.
Dealing with divorce adds a heavy toll on your overall wellbeing, and Melbourne Family Lawyers understands just how difficult this can be. That’s why our goal is to keep things calm and practical by explaining what the situation, planning the next steps and giving you a sense of security and control in the middle of this chaos.
Our divorce lawyers help you understand your rights and responsibilities from the start, then guide you through each step until your divorce is finalised. Our goal is not just to finish the process, but to help you walk away with a more secure base for what comes next.
Why Work with Divorce Lawyers Melbourne?
The right legal advice can reduce confusion, cut down delays, and help you avoid disputes that drag things out longer than they need to.
Each divorce is different. And for this reason, our Melbourne divorce lawyers make sure to provide advice specific to your situation and align with what you are trying to achieve. We’ll walk with you side by side as you go through:
- Applying for divorce, including overseas marriages recognised in Australia
- Parenting arrangements and time with the children
- Property and financial settlements
- Spousal maintenance and ongoing support
- Consent orders and court representation when it is needed
Tips on How to Pick a Trusted Divorce Lawyer
1. Do they listen to you and understand your goals?
Your lawyer should understand what you want out of the proceeding and should provide advice accordingly.
2. Do they have the right expertise?
Your lawyer should have experience in your type of matter or transferable knowledge necessary to secure your best outcome.
3. Does their approach align with yours?
Your lawyer should make the divorce process easier, not harder. You should feel comfortable that they are pursuing your claim in a way that you want.
4. Do they advocate for your children’s needs?
If you have children, your lawyer should advise on custody matters and potential child support arrangements.
5. Do they have a strategic approach?
A good family lawyer will be a strong advocate for your interests when it matters.
6. Take your time to choose carefully
The right lawyer saves time, stress, and heartache.
Divorce in Australia: A No-Fault System
In Australia, divorce is granted on a no-fault basis. You don’t need to prove who caused the marriage to end — the key is showing that the relationship has genuinely broken down and reconciliation isn’t possible.
Our experienced divorce lawyers will assess your situation, explain your options clearly, and guide you on the best next steps to protect your rights and your future.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Legal Advice Even If I'm Only Thinking of Separation?
When it comes to separating, sometimes it is necessary for one party to move out.
The difficult decision in such circumstances may be deciding which person moves out and, if children are involved, which parent they should live with.
This is why we always recommend that you get advice early — even before you separate — so that you are armed with full knowledge of your legal rights.
We can guide you with pragmatic Family Law advice in making the right decisions for your future and that of your children.
What If My Partner and I Are Not Married?
The Family Law Act applies to everyone, whether you are in a legal marriage or a de facto relationship (including a same-sex relationship).
Everyone’s personal situation is different, and only a Family Lawyer can provide the expert advice that applies to your particular separation.
How Assets Are Divided?
How Much Will Divorce Lawyers Cost?
The cost for a child custody lawyer is approximately $350 – $500 per hour.
The final amount that you could pay for a non contentious matter could be approximately $5000.
For contentious matters, you could pay between $20,000-$30,000 depending on the complexity of the matter.
How Do We Get Started?
Organise a consultation on the phone or at our Melbourne or Dandenong office. We will advise you as to how much we estimate your matter will cost and the next action steps that we recommend.
You will then decide as to whether you would like to proceed with our services.