Maria Stipic has spent more than a decade helping families navigate separation with as much clarity, dignity, and certainty as possible. She understands that when relationships break down, people are often carrying far more than a legal problem. They are managing uncertainty, emotional stress, concerns about their children, and questions about what the future will look like.
That understanding shapes the way Maria works with every client.
Maria is passionate about helping families resolve disputes constructively and move forward with confidence. She believes that family law should not add to the stress people are already experiencing. Instead, it should provide a pathway toward practical solutions and lasting outcomes.
Maria trained and previously qualified as a Nationally Accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, giving her a unique perspective on family law matters. She has worked as both a lawyer representing clients and as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with community-based organisations and Victoria Legal Aid. This experience has given her a deep understanding of how people navigate conflict, what helps negotiations succeed, and how meaningful agreements are reached.
Maria is a strong advocate for legally assisted mediation and other forms of dispute resolution that allow families to avoid the financial and emotional cost of prolonged court proceedings wherever possible. She works closely with clients to help them understand their options, prepare for important conversations, and make informed decisions about the future.
At the same time, Maria understands that not every matter can be resolved through negotiation alone. When court proceedings become necessary, she draws on extensive litigation experience, including appearances in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and her work as a duty lawyer at the Dandenong registry. Clients value her calm, steady guidance and her ability to advocate strongly while remaining focused on practical outcomes.
What sets Maria apart is her commitment to supporting the whole person, not just the legal matter. She recognises the challenges clients face during separation and readily connects them with support services when additional assistance may be beneficial. Her goal is for clients to feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout the process.
Outside of work, Maria is a proud mother of two, a devoted wife, and the caretaker of a much-loved cat. When she is not keeping up with her children’s activities, she enjoys tending her vegetable garden, getting lost in a good book, and tackling jigsaw puzzles that always seem to take longer than expected. She is also a passionate believer in the benefits of physical activity and recently completed her second half marathon.
