Family Lawyers Who Help You Find a Clear Way Forward
Separation can turn ordinary decisions into overwhelming ones.
Who stays in the family home? How will the children spend time with each parent? What happens to the savings, mortgage, superannuation or family business? What should you do first—and what should you avoid doing?
At Renee Roumanos Legal, we understand that family law is not simply about legislation, documents and court processes. It is about your children, your financial security, your home and the next chapter of your life.
Our role is to help you understand your rights, protect what matters and make informed decisions—without burying you in legal jargon.
Getting legal advice does not mean making an already painful situation more combative. It means understanding your position early so that you can respond thoughtfully, rather than react under pressure. For many families, this clarity provides the best opportunity to reach a practical and respectful resolution.
How can a family lawyer help?
Family law involves much more than applying for a divorce. We can assist with:
Parenting arrangements;
Property and financial settlements;
Divorce applications;
Spousal maintenance;
De facto relationship matters;
Binding financial agreements;
Consent orders;
Mediation and negotiation;
Family violence and urgent safety concerns; and
Court proceedings where an agreement cannot be reached.
Every family has a different story. You may have been married for decades or lived together in a de facto relationship. You may have young children, adult children, a blended family, a business, investment properties, trusts or assets held in only one person’s name.
Those details matter. Before recommending any particular course of action, we take the time to understand your circumstances, concerns and priorities.
Parenting arrangements
When children are involved, their best interests must remain the central consideration.
A suitable parenting arrangement is not necessarily achieved by dividing time equally. It should consider each child’s age, routine, schooling, relationships, health, emotional needs and safety.
A family lawyer can help you develop arrangements dealing with:
Where the children will live;
How and when they will spend time with each parent;
School holidays and special occasions;
Changeovers and transport;
Telephone and video communication;
Education and medical decisions;
Interstate or overseas travel; and
How future disagreements will be managed.
Seeking legal advice does not mean you are heading straight to court. Many parenting matters can be resolved through negotiation, family dispute resolution or mediation.
Parents may record their arrangements in a parenting plan. Where enforceable arrangements are required, the parties may apply for consent orders. The most appropriate option will depend on the circumstances, the level of communication between the parents and whether there are any safety concerns.
If court proceedings become necessary, the Court must regard the child’s best interests as the paramount consideration under Part VII of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Learn more about parenting matters from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Property and financial settlements
A family law property settlement involves much more than deciding who keeps the family home.
The property pool may include:
Real estate;
Bank accounts;
Savings and investments;
Superannuation;
Motor vehicles;
Business interests;
Companies and family trusts;
Shares and cryptocurrency;
Personal property;
Mortgages, loans, credit cards and other debts; and
Assets acquired before, during or after the relationship.
There is no automatic 50/50 rule.
The appropriate outcome depends on the circumstances of the relationship, including the parties’ financial and non-financial contributions, their contributions as parents and homemakers, and the matters relevant to their current and future circumstances.
The work performed at home matters. Caring for children, maintaining the household and supporting a partner’s career or business can all be relevant.
Obtaining early advice can help you avoid costly mistakes. Transferring money, disposing of assets, taking on new debt or agreeing to a settlement before understanding the full financial position may make the matter more difficult to resolve.
You do not need to have every document perfectly organised before meeting with us. However, it may be helpful to begin gathering:
Recent bank statements;
Current mortgage and loan balances;
Superannuation statements;
Tax returns and notices of assessment;
Property appraisals or valuations;
Business financial records; and
Details of major assets and liabilities.
Divorce, spousal maintenance and financial agreements
A divorce legally ends a marriage. It does not automatically finalise parenting arrangements, property division or financial support. These are separate legal issues and may require separate agreements or court orders.
Strict time limits can also apply. Generally, a married person must commence property or spousal maintenance proceedings within 12 months after a divorce becomes final. For eligible de facto relationships, the usual time limit is two years after separation. Permission from the Court may be required to commence proceedings outside these periods. Further information about property proceedings and time limits is available from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
In some circumstances, one person may be entitled to receive financial support from the other following separation. Spousal maintenance is not automatic. It generally depends on whether one party is unable to meet their reasonable expenses and whether the other party has the capacity to provide financial support.
Binding financial agreements—sometimes called “pre-nups”—can also be used to record how financial matters will be dealt with during a relationship or following separation. These agreements require careful drafting, full financial disclosure and independent legal advice for each party.
When should you speak with a family lawyer?
You do not need to wait until you receive court documents or a solicitor’s letter.
Early advice often gives you more options and may help prevent the situation from escalating. It can also help you understand what information to preserve, how to communicate with your former partner and which decisions should not be made without advice.
You should consider obtaining legal advice if:
You are considering separation or have recently separated;
You are unsure about your rights concerning the family home;
You cannot agree about arrangements for the children;
You are concerned about hidden assets, debts or financial information;
You have been asked to sign an agreement;
Your former partner is proposing a property settlement;
You own a business, trust or investment property;
You have received court documents or correspondence from another lawyer;
You are experiencing controlling, threatening or intimidating behaviour; or
You are concerned that property may be sold, transferred or depleted.
Ignoring legal correspondence or important deadlines will rarely make the issue disappear. Understanding your position early can place you in a stronger position to make calm and informed decisions.
If family violence, coercive control, threats or urgent safety concerns are present, your safety comes first. Legal options may include urgent parenting orders, an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order or orders preventing assets from being sold or depleted. Depending on the circumstances, assistance may also be required from NSW Police, health professionals or specialist family violence services.
Call Triple Zero (000) if you or your children are in immediate danger.
A clear strategy can reduce the stress
Family law can feel overwhelming because the emotional, financial and practical issues often arise at the same time.
A good family lawyer should make the process easier to understand. You should receive clear advice about:
Your legal position;
Your available options;
The strengths and risks in your matter;
The documents and information required;
The likely costs and timeframes; and
The practical steps you can take next.
Depending on your circumstances, the recommended strategy may involve exchanging financial information, negotiating with your former partner or their solicitor, attending mediation, preparing consent orders or commencing court proceedings.
Court is sometimes necessary, particularly where there are urgent safety concerns, significant non-disclosure or a refusal to negotiate reasonably. However, it is not the first or only option in every family law matter.
A negotiated outcome can provide greater privacy, flexibility and control. It may also be quicker and less expensive than contested proceedings. However, an agreement should not be reached at the expense of your safety, financial security or legal rights.
Our comprehensive family law strategy meetings
At Renee Roumanos Legal, we offer new clients a comprehensive family law advice and strategy meeting for a fixed fee of $660.
You will be warmly welcomed into our office, where we will take the time to listen to your story, understand what has happened and identify what matters most to you.
During your strategy meeting, we will:
Discuss your relationship and separation history;
Consider any parenting, property and financial issues;
Explain your rights and responsibilities in plain English;
Identify immediate risks, deadlines and priorities;
Discuss the options available to resolve your matter;
Recommend a practical strategy for moving forward; and
Answer the questions that have been keeping you awake at night.
Following the meeting, you will receive comprehensive written advice and a recommended strategy, so you leave with more than a conversation. You will have a clear record of our advice, your available options and the next steps we recommend.
There is no pressure to know exactly what you need before coming to see us. That is what the strategy meeting is designed to help you work out.
Preparing for your first appointment
You do not need to prepare a perfect legal brief. A short timeline of the relationship, separation and major events is usually enough to begin.
Where available, please bring or provide:
Any court documents;
Correspondence from your former partner or their solicitor;
A brief relationship and separation timeline;
Details of current parenting arrangements;
Financial statements and loan balances;
Property and business information; and
A list of your questions and concerns.
It is important to be open about the circumstances, including facts that may feel uncomfortable or difficult to discuss. Our advice is confidential, and we can only advise you properly when we understand the complete picture.
Family lawyers who listen before they advise
Choosing a family lawyer is personal. Legal knowledge matters, but communication, trust and empathy matter too.
You should feel comfortable asking questions and confident that you will receive direct, practical answers. Your lawyer should listen to what you want to achieve while remaining honest about the strengths, risks and realities of your matter.
At Renee Roumanos Legal, we take a human-first approach. We provide practical family law advice, clear communication and a strategy tailored to your circumstances.
The first meeting does not need to solve everything. It can simply give you clarity, direction and reassurance that you do not have to navigate the next chapter alone.
Book your comprehensive family law strategy meeting today for $660, including written advice and a recommended strategy.
Contact Renee Roumanos Legal to arrange an appointment at our welcoming Oran Park office or speak with our team about the consultation options available to you.
This article contains general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice tailored to your circumstances.
