Family Lawyers Serving Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs
We have earned an outstanding reputation in advising and acting in all areas of Family & Relationship Law. The Principal of the firm, Elias Hanna focuses on resolving disputes between separating couples, including complex financial and parenting matters, as well as protecting the interests of children.
Our lawyers guide you throughout each step of the process following a relationship breakdown. We work hand-in-hand with you to help you minimise time, cost, anxiety and stress during one of the most challenging periods of your life.
Elias Hanna Family Lawyers proudly serve the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.
Helping Families in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Maribyrnong, Avondale Heights, Brunswick, Greensborough, Reservoir and Preston
With over 2 decades of legal practice experience by your side, you are assured of receiving sound and accurate advice about your legal rights and options.
Our Lawyers are Proficient in all Aspects of Family & Relationship Law
Separation and Divorce
The end of a relationship is never easy. Getting a lawyer involved in a delicate family matter might seem like a recipe for increased conflict but, in reality, it is often the best way to avoid further unnecessary conflict while protecting your interests and those of your loved ones.
Now that you have reached this difficult emotional point, you will need to make some practical decisions regarding issues such as parenting arrangements for the children, child support, property settlement, spousal maintenance, and divorce proceedings.
At Elias Hanna Family Lawyers, our approach is to gain a full understanding of your situation and advise you on all relevant options that will yield the best outcome for you.
Parenting and Child Support
After separation, parents may disagree on what is best for their children. Disputes about children can take many forms: who they will live with, when they will see each parent, and for how long, how time during holidays and special occasions will be shared, and issues of violence, abuse or neglect. This can be an upsetting, stressful and confusing time.
Elias Hanna Family Lawyers will smooth the path for you by answering your most common questions:
- What are your parental rights as a mother or father?
- How much time are you entitled to have your children spend with you?
- How can you ensure that you have a say in decisions to be made for the welfare of your children?
Your family needs the right advice with parenting and child support, and by taking a joined-up approach with Elias Hanna Family Lawyers, you will ensure that you have an accurate understanding of the legal factors applicable to your own personal situation.
Property and Financial Settlement
Not all cases are suitable for a negotiated settlement, and we may advise you to begin court proceedings for a variety of reasons.
The court process is structured to ensure a full exchange of financial information and encourage agreements where possible. The court will set a timetable for producing relevant financial documents and, if necessary, getting expert reports on the exact value of assets including properties, businesses or other investments.
Longer relationships will usually bring with them a higher degree of financial interdependence. In shorter relationships, the parties may be expected to move more quickly towards financial independence after separation, and greater emphasis may be placed upon who brought what assets into the relationship. However, this is not always the case, especially where there are dependent children.
At Elias Hanna Family Lawyers, we are here to make things as straightforward as possible for our clients – with our lawyers guiding you through the entire legal process in a clear and cost-effective manner.
Spousal Maintenance
Spousal maintenance is the provision of financial support from one party to the other after the breakdown of their marriage or de facto relationship. The Family Law Act sets out this responsibility for one party to assist the other following their separation.
The Family Law Courts look at a number of factors, including:
- Age and health
- Income, property, and financial resources
- Ability to work
- Income earning capacity
- Suitable standard of living
- Whether the children live with you or your former spouse
Married couples must file with the court their applications for spousal maintenance within 12 months of their divorce order becoming final, whereas de facto partners must make their applications for spousal maintenance within 2 years of their final separation.
At Elias Hanna Family Lawyers, we can advise you on your eligibility to pay or receive spousal maintenance and assist with preparing the relevant documents on your behalf.
Same-Sex Relationships
Since the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia in 2017, same-sex couples, to a large extent, now enjoy the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. Though unfortunately there still remain some differences in the way the courts treat some legal aspects of their relationships – particularly in terms of parenting issues in a de facto same-sex couple.
Like with any legal matter, the importance of hiring an experienced lawyer cannot be understated. At Elias Hanna Family Lawyers we take every step necessary to protect your rights, including those relating to the distribution of property, maintenance and matters concerning your children.
We proactively guide same-sex couples in an efficient, cost-effective way so we can achieve the best outcome for you and your loved ones.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternate dispute resolution processes such as negotiation, mediation, and collaboration may help you resolve property or parenting matters with no court proceedings so you can avoid the expense and stress associated with litigation.
In Family & Relationship Law matters, the most commonly used alternative dispute resolution methods are Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) and mediation. In each of these, parties can vent their concerns and figure out a resolution to their dispute.
With the guidance of an independent facilitator, this process provides a forum for separating parties to cooperate and develop realistic, and sometimes creative, solutions to their Family & Relationship Law disputes.
Divorce Application
Getting divorced brings your marriage to a legal end. To be eligible for divorce, you need to have been married for at least 2 years, otherwise you will be required to attend counselling or satisfy other grounds for the court to allow you to apply for divorce.
You and your spouse will also need to be separated for at least 12 months prior to filing a divorce application.
It is essential to understand that the divorce itself does not resolve the financial issues within a marriage, and this requires separate court orders.
There are four key stages in the divorce process. These are:
- Preparing a divorce application
- Filing the application with the court
- Serving the application on your estranged spouse
- Appearing in court, if necessary
Once you are ready, getting a divorce is usually straightforward, particularly if you and your spouse agree that your marriage is over. We will guide you through each step of the process, from the drafting and filing of the divorce application, to serving the papers on your spouse, and getting the divorce order made by the court.
Melbourne-Based Family & Relationship Lawyers Who Offer Extensive Knowledge & Support
Our Family & Relationship Lawyers serve the people of Melbourne’s northern suburbs by aiming to achieve the best outcome for you in a cost-effective and timely manner. We have experience across all Family & Relationship Law matters including separation and divorce, parenting and child support, property and financial settlements, spousal maintenance, same-sex relationships, and alternative dispute resolution methods.
We always aim to resolve matters as early as possible, with no court proceedings. However, if court proceedings are necessary, we will advocate strongly on your behalf to ensure you receive your entitlements and achieve an outcome that helps you transition to the next phase of your life as smoothly as possible.
Contact Family Law Solicitors in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs
We offer an obligation-free, no-fee first contact, making us a popular choice for residents of Melbourne’s northern suburbs. We conduct these over Zoom or Skype video calls, one-on-one private telephone conversations, or we may arrange a more personal face-to-face meeting.
If you need experienced legal representation with your Family & Relationship Law situation, please contact Elias Hanna Family Lawyers on 1300 114 965