Jonson Leo

Family law matters rarely arrive at a convenient time. A separation, a property dispute, a disagreement over the children, these things land in the middle of ordinary life and demand urgent attention. What you need at that point is not complexity. It is clarity.

Just Family Law has been working exclusively in family law for over 40 years combined. Every solicitor on our team handles nothing else. We do not share our focus between practice areas or take on other types of legal work. When you come to us as a family court lawyer in Ashburton, you are getting people who know this field thoroughly and have seen situations like yours many times before.

Family law covers more ground than most people expect

When people think about family court, they often picture a courtroom and a judge. In reality, the family court system encompasses a much wider range of processes, most of which are designed to help parties reach agreement before a judge ever needs to decide anything.

The matters we handle for Ashburton clients fall into three main categories. Each one carries its own legal framework, its own deadlines and its own strategic considerations.

Divorce and separation

Separation is when the legal work begins in earnest. Property, finances, parenting and maintenance all need to be addressed during the separation period. The divorce itself, the formal court order ending the marriage, comes later and is in many ways the simpler part of the process.

To apply for a divorce, you need to have been separated for at least twelve months. Once the order is granted it takes effect after a further month and one day. At that point you can remarry if you choose. If children under eighteen are involved, either a lawyer or one of the parties must attend court, and the court will not approve the divorce until it is satisfied the children’s arrangements are appropriate.

One deadline many people overlook: once a divorce is finalised, you have twelve months to commence any property proceedings through the court. We plan for this from the start so nothing gets left unresolved under time pressure.

Property and financial settlement

Dividing assets after a separation involves more than splitting what is in the bank. The law looks at each person’s contributions across the whole relationship, financial and otherwise, and weighs that against what each person will need going forward. Neither person’s name on a title or account is the determining factor.

We work through property settlements of varying complexity for Ashburton clients, including matters involving:

• Significant inheritances received during or before the relationship
• Businesses and commercial interests requiring proper valuation
• Property or funds contributed by one party’s family
• Assets structured through trusts, companies or in third party names
• A former partner who is unwilling to negotiate honestly or at all
• Disputes that have become entrenched and require court intervention

Before any matter proceeds to a final hearing, the court requires both parties to attempt mediation. We prepare clients thoroughly for that process, and if it does not resolve things, we are ready to take it to the next stage.

Children’s arrangements

Parenting matters are often the most emotionally charged part of any family law proceeding. They are also the ones where the quality of legal advice makes the most practical difference to people’s lives.

The law starts from a single question: what arrangement genuinely serves the best interests of this child? The answer is different for every family and depends on the specific circumstances, not a formula. We help Ashburton parents put forward well-considered, child-focused proposals that reflect what the law values and stand up to scrutiny.

For more complex situations, including relocation disputes, safety concerns, or matters involving family violence, we bring the same depth of experience and the same commitment to a well-prepared case.

Why Just Family Law

We are an Accredited Specialist firm, approved independently by the Law Institute of Victoria. Accreditation in family law is not automatic. It requires demonstrated expertise and is held by a relatively small number of practitioners in Victoria.

We are also honest with our clients. We tell you what you need to know, even when it is not what you were hoping to hear. In family law, decisions made on incomplete or overly optimistic information tend to cost more to fix than they would have cost to get right the first time.

Talk to a family court lawyer in Ashburton

Whether your matter is at an early stage or has already become complicated, the right starting point is a clear and honest conversation about where things stand. We offer a free initial consultation and we will make it count.

Call us on 03 9793 7888 to book yours today.