Family Lawyers Melbourne
Resolving Family Law Matters with Confidence and Care
2025
APAC Business Awards
(Family Law Firm of the Year – Australia)
Our Awards
ASSISTED OVER 5,000 FAMILIES
Leading Family Lawyers Melbourne
Strategic. Experienced. Results Driven.
Melbourne Family Lawyers is highly regarded as a leading family law firm in Melbourne. We provide legal representation in divorce, parenting disputes and property settlements.
You get a clear strategy from the start, backed by strong courtroom advocacy and decisive negotiation, where it makes sense. Our approach is focused, commercially minded, and outcome-driven.
By providing support to clients across Melbourne & the metropolitan part of Victoria, we guide individuals & families go through these difficult situations.
Awards and Recognition
We have been recognised at both national and industry level for the level of expertise we demonstrate in family law.
- APAC Business Awards 2025 Family Law Firm of the Year Australia
- Inside Family Law Awards
- Top 3 Best Family Lawyers in Melbourne VIC
- Family Law Firm of the Year 2025 by ThreeBestRated
Move forward with clarity and confidence.
Get a tailored and cost-effective solution
Specialised Expertise
Our Family Lawyers Melbourne team can help with divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and complex family law matters across Melbourne. You will be supported by dedicated specialists who know the process and stay focused on protecting your position.
Client-First Approach
Family Lawyers Melbourne is known for strong client feedback and consistent reviews. You can expect clear communication, practical guidance, and a steady focus on your goals from start to finish.
Proven Track Record
With over 35 years’ experience in family law, our Family Lawyers Melbourne team has represented clients in a wide range of matters. You also benefit from our trusted network of firms across Australia’s east coast, giving you access to broader support and resources as your matter progresses.
Our Team
Director & Practice Manager
Hayder Shkara is the Principal of Melbourne Family Lawyers.
Hayder is a confident advocate with a strong presence in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. You can expect clear legal strategy, steady guidance, and a client-focused approach that helps you feel supported through what can be a very difficult time.
He is also regularly featured in the media and is regarded as a respected voice in family law.
As an Olympian who represented Australia in Taekwondo at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Hayder brings discipline, composure, and strategic thinking to complex family law matters.
Senior Associate
Giuseppe is an experienced solicitor who focuses on high-net-worth family law litigation, including disputes involving medical and dental practices and property developments.
You will get strategic advice and strong representation when complex financial issues are on the line.
Senior Associate
Stephanie is a family law specialist with over ten years’ experience across property and parenting matters. She is known for achieving strong outcomes through negotiation, mediation, and, when needed, litigation, so you have a steady plan no matter how your matter progresses.
She is widely recognised among Melbourne family lawyers for achieving favourable outcomes through skilled negotiation, mediation, and litigation.
Solicitor
Katherine is a family law solicitor valued for turning complex matters into clear, manageable steps. You can expect practical strategy, professional compassion, and guidance tailored to your situation, backed by confident advocacy where it matters.
She is also recognised among leading family lawyers in Melbourne for providing clear guidance and strong advocacy tailored to each client’s needs.
Transparent, Honest and Accountable Legal Representation
High Quality Legal Representation
Led by Olympian and Principal Hayder Shkara, our Family Lawyers in Melbourne bring discipline, smart planning, and determination to every matter. If your case proceeds in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, you can expect clear advocacy and representation that is prepared, calm, and firm.
Strategic, Outcome Focused Advice
You get advice shaped around your circumstances, not a one-size approach. Whether you are dealing with divorce, parenting disputes, or a property settlement, we focus on the steps that move your matter forward while protecting your long-term interests and your family’s future.
Transparent and Trustworthy Guidance
You will always know where you stand. We communicate clearly, set out fees upfront, and give realistic advice about what outcomes may be available. No surprises. No unnecessary conflict. Just practical, accountable legal support when you need it most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Legal Advice If I Am Only Considering Separation?
Yes. It is a smart move to get advice early, even if you are still weighing things up.
This is often when decisions start happening quickly, like who stays in the family home and what the children’s living arrangements will be. Early guidance helps you understand your rights and responsibilities before you take steps that are hard to unwind later.
You can access practical, strategic family law advice to support clear decisions about your future and your children’s wellbeing.
What If My Partner and I Are Not Married?
You can still have rights under Australian family law. The Family Law Act 1975 applies to de facto relationships as well as marriages, including same-sex relationships.
If you were in a genuine domestic relationship, you may be able to seek a property settlement and make parenting arrangements through the family law system. Because eligibility and outcomes depend on your circumstances, it is worth getting advice that is tailored to your situation so you know where you stand.
How Are Assets Divided After Separation or Divorce?
In Australia, there is no fixed formula or set percentage for dividing assets after separation.
If you are working towards a property settlement, the Court looks at a range of factors, including:
- The current value of your assets, debts, and overall financial position
- Direct financial contributions (for example, income and lump sum payments)
- Indirect financial contributions (including inheritances, depending on the circumstances)
- Non-financial contributions, such as caring for children and running the household
- Each person’s future needs, including age, health, and earning capacity
The goal is to reach an outcome that is just and equitable.
It is also worth knowing that a divorce order only ends the marriage. Property settlement and financial orders are separate, and need to be dealt with on their own.
Time limits apply:
- If you are married, you generally need to apply within 12 months of your divorce becoming final.
- If you are in a de facto relationship, you generally need to apply within 2 years of separation.
How Much Will It Cost?
Fees depend on the type of matter and how complicated it becomes.
For more straightforward, non-contentious matters, costs may start from around $5,000. If your matter is contested, such as a parenting dispute or property litigation, costs can be $20,000 to $30,000 or more.
Our hourly rates are usually $350 to $500. You will be given a clear estimate during your initial consultation, so you have a realistic view of costs from the outset.
How Do We Get Started?
You can arrange a consultation by phone or at our Melbourne or Dandenong office.
During your consultation, we will:
• Assess your situation
• Provide preliminary legal advice
• Outline your options
• Provide an estimated cost range
• Recommend clear next steps
You can then decide whether you would like to proceed with our services.