Family Lawyers in Sydney
Ramsden Family Law is one of Sydney’s most trusted family law firms, recognised as among the best family lawyers Sydney has to offer for divorce, parenting, child custody, property settlements and domestic violence matters. Our family lawyers Sydney clients turn to practise exclusively in family and divorce law, giving you focused, specialist advice from your very first consultation.
BOOK YOUR FREE 30 MINUTE CONSULT WITH A FAMILY LAW EXPERT
Our dedicated and award-winning family law team in Sydney has experience in all aspects of family law. We are able to assist you with everything from amicable fixed-fee divorce applications and consent orders to complex, litigated property settlement matters. We can discuss your situation in a free 30-minute consultation with no obligations. Our consultations can be done over the phone, video, or in person in our Sydney CBD office. No matter how tough the circumstances, Ramsden Family Law has the expertise to get the job done.
Whatever stage you’re at, our family legal services Sydney clients rely on are built around one goal: giving you clarity and a plan, not just paperwork.
HOW WE CAN HELP
AWARD-WINNING FAMILY LAW REPRESENTATION FOR EVERY SITUATION
As leading Sydney family lawyers, our team includes accredited family law specialists committed to delivering expert legal advice and compassionate support. We protect your rights and prioritise your best interests at every stage.
It’s this focus that makes us one of the family lawyers Sydney locals recommend to friends and family going through separation.
DIVORCE
We aim to make the divorce process as simple as possible by offering fixed-fee applications from $800 plus GST, to reduce stress, expense and time.
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CHILDREN & PARENTING
If you and your ex-partner cannot agree on the care arrangements for children, it is important that a decision is made quickly.
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PROPERTY DIVISION
If you are separating or thinking about it, it is important to get legal advice on dividing assets, debts, and superannuation.
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SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
Under the Family Law Act, same-sex and heterosexual couples have the same entitlements under the law, including the right to marry.
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MEDIATION
In family law, mediation and dispute resolution are often the first step. Helping both parties talk through their separation with professional guidance.
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FAMILY COURT REPRESENTATION
Going to court is a last resort. However, if you need assistance with court representation, our lawyers are dedicated to getting you results.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
If you suspect that you and/or your children may be victims of violence, we are here to offer immediate advice to help reduce risk and protect your family.
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SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE
If one partner is unable to adequately support themselves financially after separation, they may be entitled to spousal maintenance from the other.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION
Your initial consultation with our family lawyers is confidential and can be done by phone, video chat, or in person, whatever is easiest for you. This initial conference will usually take around 30 minutes. During that time, we will be able to identify what outcomes you are hoping to achieve, give you advice about how the process generally works, what you can expect and give you an outline of your likely costs.
Our family lawyers are highly experienced at getting to the heart of your matter and laying out your options in simple-to-understand terms. You will finish your meeting with an understanding of the next steps in your case, what issues need to be addressed and how best to go about addressing them.
Contact us now to arrange for your free, no-obligation consultation.
Pay At The End with JustFund
Separation can be financially stressful, and that pressure can delay getting the legal help you need.
That is why we offer a Pay at the End option in partnership with JustFund. JustFund provides flexible funding for eligible family law clients, with no upfront costs.
If approved, you can access a flexible line of credit to cover things such as your legal fees (including your barrister), mediator fees, expert fees (such as valuers), and related expenses to the separation. Repayments are not required until you reach a settlement.
Contact us today to find out more regarding payment options with JustFund.
DIVORCE APPLICATIONS
We try to lessen the pressures of divorce as much as possible by providing comprehensive advice relevant to your unique matter.
You cannot seek a divorce until you have been separated for at least 12 months and the marriage is irretrievably broken down. Separation can occur with both parties living under the same roof; however, the Court will need evidence (usually in the form of Affidavits) that the separation is genuine.
If there are children, the Court must be satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place in terms of their care and support. These arrangements do not have to be permanent. You have 12 months after a divorce is granted to settle the division of property.
and assets/liabilities.
Our fixed fee model is part of why clients looking for affordable family lawyers Sydney wide often land with us for their divorce application.
PARENTING MATTERS
You can record your parenting agreement in one of two ways:
- Parenting Plan
- Consent Orders
Parenting plans are written and signed agreements between the parties that detail who the children will live with, the time children will spend with each parent and various other aspects that deal with the care, welfare and development of the child/ren. They are not binding or enforceable but can be regularly updated, reviewed or amended.
Consent orders are essentially a formalised version of a parenting plan. You must make an application to the Court, lodge the documents signed by the parties and await the Court’s approval. Consent orders provide certainty and are both binding and enforceable.
Child custody disputes are handled through these same parenting plan and consent order pathways, guided by the Family Law Act’s requirement that the child’s best interests come first.
As experienced family lawyers Sydney parents come back to for custody and parenting advice, we help you decide which option suits your family and get the paperwork right the first time.
PROPERTY MATTERS
A property settlement is the formal division of the asset pool of a married or de facto couple so that it is final, binding and enforceable. Any settlement reached must be “just and equitable”.
The asset pool is determined by looking at the assets, liabilities, superannuation and other financial resources of the parties. It is then adjusted following an assessment on whether legal ownership of the pool is just and equitable, the contributions of the parties and future factors affecting the parties. Then the asset pool is divided.
You will need to formalise the agreement so that it is binding and enforceable by:
- Consent Orders
- Financial Agreement
A financial agreement is a private, binding contract between you and your partner that sets out how assets, debts and financial resources will be divided, without needing Court approval. These can be made before a relationship (a prenuptial agreement), during it, or after separation, and are an alternative to applying for consent orders.
DE FACTO AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
Since the definition of “marriage” under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) was changed in 2017, same sex couples can marry and have the same entitlements under the law as heterosexual couples. Same sex couples who have children, including those adopted, born from surrogacy
or artificial reproductive technology like IVF, are recognised as the legal parents of that child.
De facto relationships describe a couple, whether of the same sex or different, who are not married but live together. You will have the same rights as a married couple if you register your de facto relationship or meet the time requirement of 2 years. Some de facto relationships can be difficult to show, in which case a Court may consider further factors to determine de facto status and subsequent entitlements.
MEDIATION / COURT REPRESENTATION
Generally a preferred method of dispute resolution, mediation is guided by a qualified and impartial mediator who is able to help resolve your dispute outside of Court.
If you cannot reach an agreement during mediation, then you have the option to continue negotiation or go to Court. If you decide to take the matter to Court, the Judge will decide for the parties. It is a good idea to have legal representation if possible, as a number of documents need to be filed with the Court and subsequent hearings attended. You and the other party can decide to settle outside of Court, but you must notify the Court of this agreement.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
As experienced family lawyers, we can provide you with advice about mechanisms that can help protect you and your children. Courts can grant an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) which prohibits your partner from certain kinds of behaviour (i.e. stalking, intimidation, harassing). If an ADVO is breached, it can attract criminal sanctions.
Domestic violence can also have a direct impact on custody and parenting arrangements. If you have children with your partner and decide to separate or divorce, the Courts may be more inclined to award you sole responsibility of your child so that their welfare is ensured.
It is also relevant in determining the division of assets and property settlement after separation. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of yourself or your child/ren, please contact 000.
Reece Ramsden
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Reece advises on parenting, property, domestic violence, surrogacy, financial agreements, and spousal maintenance with a collaborative approach.
Annabel Murray
Accredited Specialist in Family Law and Independent Children’s Lawyer. Annabel advises on parenting, property, relocation, child recovery, and family violence with client focused advocacy.
Our experienced Sydney family and divorce lawyers provide trusted legal advice on divorce, children and parenting, property division, same-sex and de facto relationships, mediation, family court representation, domestic violence, and more.
MEET OUR TEAM
OUR LAWYERS
With 13 experienced family lawyers, including 5 Law Society Accredited Specialists, Ramsden Family Law is recognised as a leading family law firm.
Renee Smith
Accredited Specialist in Family Law and Special Counsel. Renee advises on divorce, parenting, relocation, adoption, property settlements, financial agreements, and de facto matters compassionately.
Samira Friis
Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Samira advises on complex financial matters, international asset structures, and parenting disputes, with strategic advocacy in mediation and court.
OUR LEGAL PROCESS
1. INITIAL CONSULTATION
Your journey begins with a free 30-minute consultation where we listen to your story, understand your situation, and outline possible legal paths.
2. STRATEGIC PLANNING
We tailor a legal strategy that aligns with your goals, considering all available avenues, from mediation to court representation.
3. REPRESENTATION & SUPPORT
Our dedicated team will represent and support you throughout your legal proceedings, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
4. RESOLUTION & CLOSURE
We strive for a resolution that serves your best interests, aiming for outcomes that provide closure and a foundation for your future.
CLIENT REVIEWS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH DOES A FAMILY LAWYER COST IN SYDNEY?
Costs depend on your matter. We offer fixed fee divorce applications from $800 plus GST, and can discuss payment plans or our Pay at the End option through JustFund if you need to spread the cost of a more complex case.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A DIVORCE IN AUSTRALIA?
You need to be separated for at least 12 months before you can apply, and the Court will want evidence the separation is genuine. If children are involved, the Court also needs to see that appropriate care arrangements are in place before granting the divorce.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PARENTING PLAN AND CONSENT ORDERS?
A parenting plan is a written agreement that can be updated as circumstances change, but it isn’t legally binding. Consent orders go through the Court and, once approved, are binding and enforceable, which gives both parents more certainty.
DO I GET HALF OF EVERYTHING IN A PROPERTY SETTLEMENT?
No. The law requires a “just and equitable” division, based on the full asset pool, each person’s contributions and their future needs, not an automatic 50/50 split.
AM I ENTITLED TO SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE AFTER SEPARATION?
You may be, if you cannot adequately support yourself financially and your former partner has the capacity to help. It’s assessed separately from property settlement and depends on both parties’ income, age, health and earning capacity.
CAN I GET HELP WITH LEGAL FEES IF I CAN'T PAY UPFRONT?
Yes. Through our Pay at the End arrangement with JustFund, eligible clients can access funding for legal fees, mediator fees and related expenses, with repayments only due once a settlement is reached.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST CONSULTATION?
You don’t need paperwork to get started however it does assist if you fill in our intake form. Our family lawyers Sydney clients speak with in theirto you during their first free 30-minute consultation just need to obtain an outline from you of your situation and what outcome you’re hoping for; we’ll guide you on documents from there.
Talk to Our Sydney Family Lawyers Today
If you’re looking for a family law solicitor Sydney clients recommend, or want to compare your options with the family legal services Sydney has available, get in touch for your free 30-minute consultation. No matter how tough the circumstances, our family lawyers Sydney team has the expertise to get the job done.
