Family lawyers in Melbourne are trained to assist their clients with a range of issues and disputes. Their expertise covers everything from divorce and separation proceedings to financial matters and custody battles involving one or more children. They can also facilitate communication and resolutions through arbitration as well as provide advice on getting intervention orders in cases where threats or acts of violence have occurred. Their goal is to represent their clients, look out for their interests, and achieve fair if not amicable outcomes in their favour. Read on to find out more about the matters a family lawyer can assist you with.
Divorce & Separation
Getting a divorce and separating from your partner can be an emotional and challenging ordeal. Not only is there a lot of uncertainty about how the process works and what your rights are, but there can also be stressful disagreements and disputes to contend with. Fortunately, a family lawyer can help clients navigate the process and achieve the best outcome by providing understandable advice, forming effective strategies, giving you options, offering clarity, negotiating agreements, and representing you in meditation or court. This can help you to resolve issues sooner rather than later.
Children & Custody
Family lawyers in Melbourne have a deep understanding of child custody laws, helping parents and grandparents defend their rights and navigate the process. They can represent parents and direct conversations in productive ways to reach outcomes that put the interests of the children first. This ensures that they can develop meaningful relationships with both parents. They’ll also help parents to facilitate parenting plans that are flexible and non-binding or, failing that, advise on court orders that are binding and enforceable in how they stipulate plans and pathways for affected children.
Financial Matters
A family lawyer offers concise advice on how settlements work, including how to divide your assets. They guide clients to make informed decisions, ensuring they come to a reasonable agreement and hopefully avoid court proceedings. They’ll take a look at what your assets and liabilities are, identifying the contributions made by each party during the course of the relationship to reach a just and equitable settlement. They can also assist with spousal maintenance when a person can’t cover their living expenses with their own income.
Court & Mediation
Meditation is an important step in dispute resolution, giving the parties involved a chance to reach an agreement before it goes to court. A family lawyer can help communicate your concerns and goals, establish a framework on how to proceed, devise a tailored strategy, negotiate settlements and resolutions, and more. They can also provide representation if the case escalates to court, advising on applications and breaches of court orders among other things.
Intervention Orders
If threats or acts of abuse and physical violence have occurred in a relationship, the victim can apply for an intervention order to protect themselves. The accused perpetrator has the right to respond to a summons, as the order can be in effect for a long time, preventing them from moving around freely or seeing their children. Both parties can get help from a family lawyer who will take the time to understand their situation, provide honest advice, and obtain the best outcome.
Find Family Lawyers for Helpful Advice
Family law is often a messy area involving heated disputes regarding finances, children and other issues. Family lawyers in Melbourne boast extensive expertise and experience in all of these matters and more, allowing them to advise and assist clients who need legal representation. From divorce, child custody and spousal maintenance through to court, meditation and intervention orders, they understand the challenges families face when relationships break down and can help their clients to navigate the process. You can count on them to help you get through difficult times.
