Clients seek our counsel on the full suite of family related matters, such as the division of assets following a relationship breakdown, parenting arrangements and pre-relationship agreements.

Our family law team is made up of a group of experienced and astute legal practitioners, many of whom have been exclusively practising family law for most of their careers. Four of our lawyers are accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as specialists in family law.

Our lawyers are attuned to the ever-evolving area of family law, which has become increasingly complex as a result of the significant powers which have been vested in the Family Court.

Our experience and acute understanding of family law matters is complemented by a supportive and compassionate approach critical when dealing with the emotion and stress associated with relationship breakdowns.

Our aim is to help clients through a very difficult period in their lives by providing sensitive yet practical and realistic advice about the outcomes which can be achieved.

One of our principal objectives is to assist our clients to reach appropriate negotiated settlements which avoid the costs, delays and stresses often associated with Court proceedings. However when a negotiated resolution cannot be achieved we ensure that our clients are robustly represented before the Court.

Where necessary we draw on the expertise of our business law practice to provide specialist advice on matters such as the division of superannuation funds, companies, trusts, partnerships and taxation.

Our family law team provides advice which is readily accessible. We set aside one day each week to provide free initial advice to members of the community with family law related issues. These appointments are obligation free.

We assisted the Werribee Legal Service in its formative years by providing volunteer lawyers on a weekly basis and continued to do so over a number of years. Our lawyers continue to make significant contributions to the Geelong Community Legal Service and have played constructive roles in other community-based organisations such as United Way, Glastonbury Child and Family Services and Wyndham Community Foundation.

To provide an understanding of Family Law issues and how they may apply to our clients we have prepared a Family Law Guide. It is an easy-to-read summary of family law issues. Click here to view a PDF version of the Harwood Andrews Lawyers Family Law Guide.