Jonson Leo

When a family relationship breaks down, the legal questions that follow can feel overwhelming. What happens to the house? Who do the children live with? What are you actually entitled to? These are not abstract questions. They are the things that shape the next chapter of your life, and getting the answers right matters enormously.

Just Family Law has been helping Glen Iris families navigate the family court system for over 25 years. Every solicitor on our team works exclusively in family law, every day. That focus means you are not working with a generalist who handles family matters on the side. You are working with someone who knows this area inside out.

What a family court lawyer in Glen Iris can help you with

Family court proceedings cover a wide range of matters. In most cases, the goal is to resolve things without ever setting foot in a courtroom. When that is not possible, having the right representation makes the difference between an outcome you can live with and one you cannot.

The three areas we deal with most frequently are divorce and separation, property and financial settlement, and arrangements for children. Each one has its own legal framework, its own timelines and its own pressure points.

Divorce and separation

Ending a marriage legally requires a court order. The application itself is relatively straightforward, but the consequences of filing it touch almost every area of your life. Many people focus on the divorce without giving enough thought to what needs to happen around it.

You must have been separated for at least twelve months before applying. If you and your spouse have been living under the same roof during that time, additional evidence of separation will be required. Once the divorce is approved, it takes effect one month and one day later. At that point you are free to remarry if you choose.

One thing that catches people off guard: once a divorce becomes final, you have twelve months to formalise any property settlement through the court. Missing that window means applying for permission to proceed, which adds time, cost and uncertainty. We help you plan the sequence so nothing important gets overlooked.

Property and financial settlement

Dividing assets after a separation is rarely simple. The law looks at both parties’ contributions and their future needs, regardless of whose name things are in. That includes financial contributions, non-financial contributions such as raising children or managing the household, and what each person is likely to need going forward.

No two settlements are the same, and the factors that influence the outcome in your case may be very different from what you expect. We regularly handle situations involving:

• Inheritances that form a significant part of the asset pool
• A former partner who is uncooperative, dishonest or determined to drag things out
• Businesses that need to be properly valued
• Contributions made by one party’s parents, whether financial, through property or by caring for children
• Assets held in trusts or in the names of third parties
• Disputes involving people outside the relationship

Before any final hearing, the court will require both parties to attempt mediation. We prepare you for that process thoroughly, and if mediation does not resolve things, we are ready to take it further.

Children’s arrangements

Deciding how children’s time will be divided between two households is often the hardest part of any separation. Even parents who are broadly getting along can hit real sticking points when it comes to specifics. Overnight arrangements, school decisions, holiday schedules, changeover logistics, medical and religious matters. These are the things that fill up a co-parenting life, and they all need to be worked out.

Some situations are more complex. We have acted for parents dealing with a former partner who is deliberately obstructive, concerns about a child’s safety in the other parent’s care, relocation disputes, and cases where mental health or substance abuse is a factor.

The law is clear that children benefit from a meaningful relationship with both parents wherever that is safe and practical. We help you put forward a position that reflects that principle and holds up to scrutiny, whether in mediation or before a judge.

Why families in Glen Iris choose Just Family Law

We are an Accredited Specialist firm, independently approved by the Law Institute of Victoria. Every member of our team works only in family law. We do not take on commercial disputes, conveyancing or criminal matters. Family law is what we do, exclusively, and that depth of focus shows in the quality of advice we give.

We are also straightforward with our clients. We tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. The decisions made during a family law matter are difficult to reverse once they are locked in, so having accurate, honest advice from the start is not optional. It is essential.

Talk to a family court lawyer in Glen Iris

Whether your matter is straightforward or genuinely complicated, the right starting point is the same: a clear conversation about where you stand and what your options actually are.

Call us on 03 9793 7888 to arrange a free initial consultation.