Family Law Services
Practical, Caring Support For Your Family Law Matter
Life can be overwhelming and it’s easy to feel isolated and exhausted when you are facing a separation, a dispute over parenting arrangements or a difficult property settlement.
At Joliman Lawyers, we’re here to guide you with expertise, empathy and clear advice, charging fixed fees so you have peace of mind.
You don’t have to face this stressful period alone. Our experienced family law team will help you navigate each step with confidence, reduce unnecessary conflict and work toward the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones.
Choose Joliman Lawyers for family law
Family law is a core area of practice at Joliman Lawyers. Our team is:
- Experienced: We have years of specialist experience across all areas of family law
- Compassionate: We understand the emotional toll of a separation and aim to support you every step of the way
- Thorough and strategic: We aim for practical solutions that minimise cost and stress for everyone involved
Your family lawyer will listen to your situation, explain your options and help you make decisions so you can move forward with the next chapter of your life. The goal is to reach an outcome as quickly and seamlessly as possible, while protecting your best interests and those of your children.
Keep scrolling to find out how we can help you finalise your separation.
Property and asset division
From vehicles to the family home, figuring out who gets what after separation can be an emotional and confusing process.
Your family lawyer will make sure you understand your rights and obligations before making decisions, and help ensure you get the outcome you are entitled to.
We help you with:
- Identifying and valuing all property and assets.
- Considering financial and non-financial contributions to divide funds and superannuation fairly.
- Taking future needs into account to protect your long-term position.
- Determining what to prioritise and what to let go of for a smoother settlement.
- Negotiating fair settlements or formalising agreements through the Court.
You don’t need to be separated for a long period to finalise your property settlement. The sooner you take action in this area, the sooner you can make a plan to move forward.
Child custody and parenting arrangements
Working out parenting arrangements after separation can be one of the most emotionally complex and challenging aspects of family law. Every family is unique, which is why there is no single “right” answer or way to do things.
Let our empathetic and experienced team help you design a plan that keeps your child’s best interests front and centre, then negotiate with your ex and their representatives to reach an agreement.
How we help:
- Negotiating parenting plans: We’ll help you finalise custody arrangements and parenting agreements that work for everyone.
- Mediation and court representation: We can represent you in mediation or, if necessary, in family court to ensure you achieve a fair outcome.
- Clarity on formal agreements: We’ll explain the differences between Parenting Plans and Court Orders, and help you reach the outcome that is best for your family.
We also explain the role of Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs) if your matter goes to Court, ensuring you understand how your child’s interests will be protected.
Mediation and family dispute resolution
You and your partner have separated, so it’s not surprising you’re finding it difficult to communicate and agree on how to divide money, belongings and child care.
Instead of going to court, a mediation session hosted by an expert mediator can help you and your ex to reach an agreement. This is a faster, less stressful and less costly alternative, and you don’t even have to be in the same room during mediation.
At Joliman Lawyers, our lawyers and accredited mediators can guide you through:
- Parenting disputes
- Property settlements
- Child-inclusive Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
- Parent-child or parent-teacher mediation
We’ll help you work through your options, clarify what you want and reach an agreement that everyone can live with. If a legally binding agreement is needed, we’ll walk you through the steps to formalise it.
Divorce applications
Once you have been separated for 12 months, you’re eligible to take the final step and apply to the Australian courts for a divorce. The good news is you usually don’t have to attend any hearings in person.
Joliman Lawyers can help you prepare and file your application correctly, saving you time and stress.
What we do:
- Prepare and file your divorce papers
- Ensure arrangements for your children’s care are in place so your application proceeds smoothly
- Serve documents to your ex-partner on your behalf
- Guide you through any related property or parenting issues
This is the final step before you start your next chapter, but it can be the most stressful and emotional one to take. With our support, you can navigate the formal divorce process and move forward with clarity.
Grandparents’ and relatives’ rights
Grandparents often play a vital role in children’s lives. When separation, conflict or family breakdown disrupts this bond, it can be heartbreaking.
Joliman Lawyers can help grandparents and other relatives negotiate or apply for Orders to maintain contact with children. Where possible, we seek agreements through mediation to save you time, cost and stress.
If necessary, we’ll represent you in Court to secure an outcome that supports the child’s best interests.
Meet The Team
Work with an approachable, experienced professional who is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for your family.
You can expect patient, empathetic service, reliable communication and helpful guidance.
Director
Family, Wills & Estates, Property
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Mediator, General Manager, Parenting Co-ordinator
Senior Associate
Family, Criminal, Wills & Estates
Solicitor, Family, Wills & Estates, Litigation, Probate
Our Office Locations
Book your first appointment at one of our locations in Victoria.
Swan Hill Office
Echuca Office
Cohuna Office
Kerang Office
We also visit Boort by appointment. Call us on 03 5032 2121 to book a consultation at any location.
