Family law is constantly evolving. The law changes. Court decisions shift how principles are applied. Mediation practices develop. Financial structures become more complex. Parenting matters require both legal and human insight.

Trying to navigate all of this with a lawyer who only occasionally practises family law can leave people exposed to risks they don’t even realise exist.

A specialist family lawyer lives and breathes family law. They understand not only the law itself, but how it is applied in real situations, with real families, under real emotional pressure.

That depth matters when decisions made today can affect you and your children for years to come.

One of the key differences at Village Family Lawyers is that every lawyer on our team practises exclusively in family law.

There is no competing focus. No switching between different areas of law. No learning family law “on the side”.

Our lawyers work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and experience across parenting matters, property settlements, mediation, and complex financial cases. This shared approach means your matter benefits not just from one lawyer’s experience but from the firm’s collective expertise.

Across our team, we share well over 90 years of family law experience, all focused on helping people resolve family law matters with clarity, dignity, and confidence.

Within family law, there is a further level of expertise recognised through Law Institute of Victoria’s (LIV) Accredited Family Law Specialist status.

This accreditation is rigorous and highly limited. Each year, only around 10 to 15 lawyers achieve this recognition. It requires demonstrated expertise, significant experience in complex matters, and ongoing commitment to professional development.

At Village Family Lawyers, Bryn Stevens and Anna Bulner are LIV Accredited Family Law Specialists.

For clients, this means reassurance. It means that your matter is being guided by lawyers who have been formally recognised for their advanced understanding of family law and their ability to apply it strategically.

Their expertise also strengthens the firm as a whole, deepening the advice and strategic thinking shared across the team.

Family law is not just about knowing the law. It is also about knowing how to resolve matters in a way that protects people from unnecessary conflict, cost, and stress.

At Village Family Lawyers, Lauren Wilson and Maria Stipic are Nationally Accredited Mediators. This gives them and the firm more broadly a deep, practical understanding of how mediation works in real life, not just in theory.

This insight shapes how we approach negotiations, preparation, and strategy. Even when clients are not formally mediating with us, our advice is informed by a clear understanding of what leads to resolution and what escalates conflict.

That perspective is invaluable when the goal is to move forward, not remain stuck in dispute.

Family law is not an area where “good enough” advice is enough.

Small decisions can have significant consequences. Timing matters. The way agreements are structured matters. How matters are resolved matters.

A specialist family lawyer is best placed to:

• Anticipate risks before they arise
• Protect children and financial interests
• Guide negotiations calmly and strategically
• Help clients avoid unnecessary court involvement

This is even more important for professionals, business owners, and families with complex financial arrangements, where the stakes are often higher and the margin for error smaller.

Our experience shows that many people delay speaking to a family lawyer because they feel that they are not ready to take action. They worry that seeking advice will force them into decisions they are not prepared to make.

At Village Family Lawyers, we see it differently.

That is why we offer a 90-minute initial consultation designed to give you clarity, not pressure. This time allows us to understand your situation properly and explain, in plain English:

• Where you stand legally
• What your options are
• What steps may be important now, and what can wait

Just because you have this initial consultation, you do not need to take immediate action. But with knowledge comes power, and with power comes confidence. Understanding your position allows you to make decisions when you are ready, rather than reacting under pressure later.

Village Family Lawyers has now supported more than 850 families to resolve their family law matters. Each of those matters has been family-law-focused.

Our clients often come to us through referrals or after careful research. Many value privacy, discretion, and a calm, expert approach. We are proud of the trust families place in us and of the feedback they share through testimonials about their experience.