Mills Oakley Lawyers

Mills Oakley's family law team offers a pragmatic and commercial approach to resolving family law issues, whether it involves children's or property matters.

Accredited specialists

Our lawyers have particular expertise in the often emotive and challenging area of family law. That expertise is recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) when a lawyer qualifies as an accredited specialist.

To become an accredited specialist a lawyer must practice substantially in family law for at least five years and pass an examination process set by the LIV. Both Damian Harriss and John Mazzotta are family law accredited specialists with the Law Institute of Victoria and have been since 1999.

Collaborative law and mediation

Our team also has qualifications as trained mediators and embrace the practice of collaborative law. Collaborative law is an innovative method of resolving family law disputes which focuses on negotiation and encourage participants to make decisions that are of mutual benefit.

This process can be used to resolve most family law disputes in a way that avoids the stress and expense of litigation.

Services we offer

Our team are able to provide advice in all aspects of family law including:

• children's welfare matters - such as who a child lives with (custody) and who a child spends time with (access), as well as other important issues like where a child goes to school and applications to move children to live in another state or country
• financial matters - division of assets including complex trust structures, companies and businesses, bankruptcy and the splitting of superannuation entitlements
• spousal maintenance
• child support
• applications for divorce
• financial agreements - protection of assets for both marriage and domestic (de facto) relationships including same sex relationships
• injunctions and personal protection orders (in cases of family violence)
• mediation and collaborative law

Frequently Asked Questions

Who gets the children?

How does the court determine what is in the childs best interests?

Can I issue court proceedings without a Family Dispute Resolution Certificate?

How much child support do I have to pay?

What if my children are aged over 18?

What if I am a step-parent?

What is family violence?

How are matrimonial property settlements determined?

What sort of contributions are taken into account?

What happens to the superannuation?

How do we document the agreement?

Can I protect my assets before I marry or start living in a defacto relationship?

What issues can be covered in a BFA?

What if you plan to live together but not marry?

Key Contacts

John Mazzotta  
Partner
T: 61 3 9605 0891
F: 61 3 9605 0933
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Damian Harriss
Partner
T: 61 3 9605 0891
F: 61 3 9605 0978
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