Village Family Lawyers

Village Family Lawyers Specialist family lawyers in Mount Eliza and Malvern, Victoria. LIV Accredited Family Law Specialists. Nationally Accredited Mediators. Tel: 1300 413 997

Resolution-first — 90% of mediated matters resolve without court.

We're so excited to welcome Natalie Shaana to Village Family Lawyers.Natalie was admitted to practice in April 2026, wit...
25/08/2026

We're so excited to welcome Natalie Shaana to Village Family Lawyers.

Natalie was admitted to practice in April 2026, with a Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) from Deakin University. She brings more than two years of family law experience and a standard of drafting that speaks for itself.

We're delighted to have her as part of the team.

"Anna is composed, pragmatic, and focused on achieving results. Her remarkable attention to detail is invaluable in comp...
20/08/2026

"Anna is composed, pragmatic, and focused on achieving results. Her remarkable attention to detail is invaluable in complex family law matters. I highly recommend her." — Ren

Anna Bulner is Special Counsel at Village Family Lawyers and a LIV Accredited Family Law Specialist. Thank you, Ren, for sharing this.

18/08/2026

Moving out is not always possible when a relationship ends. New episode: Village Family Lawyers explains what separation under one roof actually means legally, what you need to document, and how the court assesses whether a separation was genuine.

Not everyone can move out when a relationship ends, and the law does not require it.You can be legally separated while s...
17/08/2026

Not everyone can move out when a relationship ends, and the law does not require it.

You can be legally separated while still living under the same roof. Australian family law defines separation by intention and conduct, not by address. What matters is that the relationship has genuinely ended and that both parties have acted accordingly.

The part that catches people out is evidence. If you apply for divorce later, the court will want support for the claim that a real separation took place, including an affidavit from someone outside the relationship.

Our new article explains what the law requires and what is worth documenting from day one.

Link to the article is in the comments.

Something worth knowing if you are going through separation: family court hearings in Australia are open to the public. ...
13/08/2026

Something worth knowing if you are going through separation: family court hearings in Australia are open to the public. Any member of the public can attend and observe. Judges and Registrars have some discretion about who is present during a hearing, but proceedings are not private by default.

Published judgments are anonymised, so your name would not appear in any publicly available decision. But the courtroom itself is not a confidential space.

Mediation is different. It is conducted privately, with only the parties, their lawyers, and the mediator present. What is said in mediation stays there.

At Village Family Lawyers, we support clients through both pathways. If you want to understand what your options look like, start with a free 15-minute Discovery Call.

Book at villagefamilylawyers.com.au or call 1300 413 997.

11/08/2026

New episode: The first steps after separation in Victoria — and why they matter more than most people realise. Village Family Lawyers walks through what to do and what to document in the weeks that count.

If you have recently separated, the legal side can feel like something to deal with later. The reality is that a few of ...
10/08/2026

If you have recently separated, the legal side can feel like something to deal with later. The reality is that a few of the early steps matter more than most people realise.

The date of separation is a legal reference point that starts real time limits. Informal agreements reached early are not binding, and are often made before either person has the full financial picture. Joint accounts, credit facilities, and estate planning documents all need attention sooner rather than later.

Our new article covers the first steps after separation in Victoria, in plain language, with no assumption that you are headed to court. Most matters we handle are not.

Link in the comments to read the article.

Cost should never determine how well you're represented in a family law matter.Village Family Lawyers is a PartnerPlus a...
06/08/2026

Cost should never determine how well you're represented in a family law matter.

Village Family Lawyers is a PartnerPlus accredited firm with Just Fund. That means eligible clients can access legal funding with nothing to pay upfront — repaid from the settlement. Assessed on the merits of your matter, not your income.

If this sounds relevant to your situation, reach out. We're happy to explain how it works.

04/08/2026

New episode out now. In this podcast, Village Family Lawyers explains how property is divided after separation in Australia — the four-step framework, the 2024-2025 reforms, and why the result is never automatically 50/50. Worth a listen if property settlement is ahead of you.

One of the most common questions we hear is whether property is simply split down the middle after separation. The answe...
03/08/2026

One of the most common questions we hear is whether property is simply split down the middle after separation. The answer is no and understanding why matters.

Australian family law follows a four-step process. What is in the property pool, what each person contributed, what each person needs going forward, and whether the overall result is just and equitable. Superannuation, businesses, and debts all form part of the picture, and it does not matter whose name an asset sits in.

We have written a new article that explains the full framework, including what the 2024-2025 reforms changed and how most property matters are resolved without going to court.

If you would like to understand where you stand, book a free 15-minute Discovery Call by calling 1300 413 997 or visiting our website is a great place to start.
Link in the comments to read the article.

Address

1/24A Ranelagh Drive
Melbourne, VIC
3930

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300413997

Website

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