Family law raises a lot of questions — and most of them are ones people haven’t had to ask before. We’ve answered the most common ones below. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, call us on 1300 413 997 or send us an email at [email protected].
Village Family Lawyers is a specialist family law firm with offices in Mount Eliza and Malvern, Victoria. Founded in 2019 by Lauren Wilson, the firm works exclusively in family law — supporting individuals and families across the Mornington Peninsula, Bayside, Inner East Melbourne, and Victoria-wide. The team includes two LIV Accredited Family Law Specialists and two Nationally Accredited Mediators.
Village Family Lawyers operates two offices in Victoria:
– Mount Eliza: 1/24A Ranelagh Dr, Mount Eliza VIC 3930
– Malvern: 49-51 Station St, Malvern VIC 3144
Both offices are available for in-person appointments. Appointments by secure video are also available for clients across Victoria and Australia.
Village Family Lawyers primarily serves clients across the Mornington Peninsula, Bayside, and Inner East Melbourne from its Mount Eliza and Malvern offices. The firm also works with clients across Victoria by phone and secure video, and is able to assist clients located anywhere in Australia for matters heard in the Family Court of Australia.
Village Family Lawyers was founded in 2019 by Lauren Wilson, Managing Director and Founding Principal.
Village Family Lawyers’ offices are open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. To book an appointment or speak with a member of the team, call 1300 413 997 or email [email protected].
Three things set Village Family Lawyers apart. First, the team works exclusively in family law — every member of the team is focused on this area and nothing else. Second, the firm includes two LIV Accredited Family Law Specialists, a credential held by fewer than 5% of Australian lawyers. Third, two of the firm’s practitioners are Nationally Accredited Mediators — Lauren Wilson (AIFLAM) and Maria Stipic (LEADR) — which means the team understands mediation from the inside, not just as a referral service. Around 90% of matters Village Family Lawyers supports through mediation resolve without going to court.
Phone: 1300 413 997 (Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm). Email: [email protected]. Website: https://villagefamilylawyers.com.au. Mount Eliza office: 1/24A Ranelagh Dr, Mount Eliza VIC 3930. Malvern office: 49-51 Station St, Malvern VIC 3144.
Village Family Lawyers offers five core services: (1) Divorce and Separation — legal advice and representation through the separation and divorce process; (2) Parenting Arrangements — reaching and formalising parenting agreements in the best interests of children; (3) Property Settlement — dividing assets, superannuation, and financial resources after separation; (4) Family Law Mediation Support — expert legal preparation and support through the mediation process; (5) Financial Agreements and Asset Protection — Binding Financial Agreements before, during, or after relationships. The firm also offers the Pre-Mediation Conference — a standalone session to prepare clients before mediation begins.
Divorce and separation in Australia are two separate legal processes. Separation is the decision to end a relationship — it triggers legal obligations around property settlement and parenting arrangements. Divorce is the formal legal ending of a marriage, which requires a period of at least 12 months’ separation. Village Family Lawyers advises on both, helping clients understand their rights, obligations, and options — and works toward resolution outside court wherever possible.
Parenting arrangements define how children spend time with each parent after separation — including living arrangements, holiday schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and schooling. Village Family Lawyers helps parents reach workable, child-focused arrangements through negotiation, mediation, or formalised consent orders. Where agreement cannot be reached, the firm can also represent clients in the Family Court of Australia.
Property settlement is the legal process of dividing assets and financial resources between separating partners. This includes the family home, investment properties, superannuation, savings, businesses, trusts, and debts. Village Family Lawyers advises clients on their entitlements under Australian family law and works toward agreed outcomes — through negotiation, financial agreement, or consent orders — wherever court can be avoided. The firm has particular experience in complex matters involving business interests, trusts, and significant assets.
Family Law Mediation Support is Village Family Lawyers’ service for clients going through family dispute resolution (FDR) or family law mediation. The firm provides expert legal preparation before mediation begins — the Pre-Mediation Conference — and legal support throughout the process. Because two of the firm’s practitioners are Nationally Accredited Mediators themselves, Village Family Lawyers understands exactly what happens in the mediation room and how to help clients prepare effectively. Around 90% of matters the firm supports through mediation resolve without going to court.
A Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) is a legally enforceable agreement between two parties that sets out how assets and financial resources will be divided — before, during, or after a relationship. They are sometimes called pre-nuptial agreements (when made before a marriage or de facto relationship begins), but they can also be made during or after a relationship. Village Family Lawyers advises individuals and couples on BFAs, with particular experience in matters involving businesses, trusts, and significant property.
Financial Agreements and Asset Protection is one of Village Family Lawyers’ five core services. It covers Binding Financial Agreements, financial planning before and after separation, and strategies to protect business assets, inheritance, and accumulated wealth during the separation process. Village Family Lawyers advises on the full range of financial agreement types — from pre-relationship arrangements to post-separation consent orders.
A Consent Order is a legal document that records an agreement about parenting arrangements or property settlement and is approved by the Family Court of Australia. Once approved, it has the same legal force as a court order — without requiring a contested hearing. Village Family Lawyers prepares Consent Orders for clients who have reached agreement and want to formalise it in a legally binding way.
Yes. Under Australian family law, de facto couples have essentially the same legal rights and obligations as married couples — including rights to property settlement, parenting arrangements, and financial agreements. Village Family Lawyers advises de facto clients on the full range of family law matters, including separation, property division, parenting arrangements, and Binding Financial Agreements.
A Pre-Mediation Conference is a session with a Village Family Lawyers practitioner before mediation begins. It covers what to expect in mediation, how to prepare your case, how to communicate your priorities effectively, and how to protect your position throughout the process. It is available as a standalone appointment and is one of the most important steps in achieving a successful mediated outcome. Village Family Lawyers strongly recommends a Pre-Mediation Conference for all clients going into family dispute resolution.
Village Family Lawyers’ team includes: Lauren Wilson — Managing Director and Founding Principal, AIFLAM Nationally Accredited Mediator, Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) Victoria University, currently completing Master of Applied Law (Family Law) through The College of Law Australia. Bryn Stevens — Partner, LIV Accredited Family Law Specialist. Anna Bulner — Special Counsel, LIV Accredited Family Law Specialist. Maria Stipic — Senior Associate, LEADR Nationally Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP). Shirin Motamedi — Special Counsel, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Monash University, currently completing Master of Applied Law (Family Law).
A Nationally Accredited Mediator is a practitioner who has completed the training and assessment requirements to achieve national accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) in Australia. In family law, accreditation is granted through approved bodies including AIFLAM (Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators) and LEADR (now part of Resolution Institute). Village Family Lawyers has two Nationally Accredited Mediators: Lauren Wilson (AIFLAM) and Maria Stipic (LEADR). Maria Stipic is also a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).
The Village Circle is Village Family Lawyers’ network of trusted specialists — financial advisers, accountants, valuers, and other professionals — who can provide coordinated expert support for clients with complex separation matters. For clients dealing with business interests, investment portfolios, superannuation, or significant property, access to coordinated specialist advice can be critical.
Most family law matters do not need to go to court. Around 90% of matters Village Family Lawyers supports through mediation resolve without court proceedings. The firm’s resolution-first approach means every option for reaching agreement outside court is explored first. Court proceedings are pursued where necessary — for example, when safety concerns require urgent intervention, or when agreement cannot be reached after genuine attempts at resolution.
The most important first step is to get legal advice before making any major financial or parenting decisions. Understanding your rights and obligations early — before assets are moved, agreements are made, or positions become entrenched — gives you the best chance of reaching a good outcome efficiently. Village Family Lawyers offers initial consultations at both the Mount Eliza and Malvern offices, and by video for clients across Victoria.
Yes. Village Family Lawyers offers appointments by secure video for clients who cannot attend in person, or who prefer to meet remotely. Video appointments are available for initial consultations and ongoing advice. Call 1300 413 997 or email [email protected] to book.
Yes. Village Family Lawyers has extensive experience in separation matters involving business interests, including business valuations, partnership arrangements, trusts, and shareholder agreements. Separating when you own a business requires advice that goes beyond standard property division — Village Family Lawyers’ LIV Accredited Family Law Specialists have the expertise to advise on complex commercial structures in a family law context. The Village Circle network also provides access to business valuers and accountants where coordinated expert support is needed.
