While you aren’t required to be represented by a lawyer and seek legal advice before entering consent orders, applying to the Court, or if you’ve been served with an application, it’s important to know that family law is complex. In our latest blog, Senior Associate Lawyer Durra Baraz explores why it is truly worth engaging a family lawyer for your separation, even if you don’t share children with your ex. Read on.
Whether your matter is simple or requires more steps and consideration, we always recommend seeking quality legal advice before making a decision about how to proceed with your separation.
There are many reasons why this is crucial, but before we get into them, let’s look at some of the reasons why many believe it’s not worth engaging a family lawyer.
Too often, we see people have the wrong idea that because they are separating from their partner, and don’t have children together, that there’s no point in investing in a family lawyer.
This is inaccurate as engaging a family lawyer isn’t dependent on whether you have children. It’s also worth noting that parenting arrangements aren’t the only legal matter that a family lawyer can create a good outcome for. There are other non-parental related matters, such as separation, property settlement, superannuation splitting, and divorce, which can lead to disputes if not properly formalised, and often be confusing and complicated to navigate.
A family lawyer is incredibly useful because they help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities. Your lawyer can explain how the law applies to your specific case and options to support your goals. Having this legal expertise will help you navigate the complexities of family law, protect your interests, reduce conflict, and receive emotional support and a clear path forward during a stressful time.
Even if a separation seems amicable, engaging a family lawyer ensures a fair outcome by providing an understanding of legal rights and obligations, helping to navigate complex asset division, and ensuring a legally binding agreement is reached.
It also ensures that the drafted agreements are done properly, thoroughly, and securely to protect your interests and avoid future disputes.
Here’s a closer look at five core ways that a family lawyer can support you – and why it is so valuable to engage one.
Even without children, property division, spousal maintenance, and the division of assets can be complex and require expert legal advice to ensure the best outcome achievable.
Seeking the legal advice of an experienced family lawyer can help to alleviate this pressure, as it will ensure that you are fully informed and prepared for the process ahead. A good lawyer will clearly explain the best path for you to pursue based on your specific circumstances, allowing you to understand what your next steps should be.
When dealing with important matters such as property settlement, child arrangements, and division of assets, it’s crucial to ensure that any agreements made between both parties are legally binding. A family law professional will help secure this by drafting documents that protect the integrity of the agreement and can be upheld if one party fails to meet their obligations.
Family lawyers are skilled negotiators who can help you reach a fair and cost-effective agreement with your ex-partner. A lawyer will work with your best interests in mind and ensure that any agreement achieved is to your benefit.
A lawyer acts as an intermediary, handling difficult communications and negotiations with your former partner, which can significantly reduce emotional stress and conflict.
By providing legal advice, guiding parties through negotiations, and drafting necessary legal documents, they can facilitate a less stressful and more efficient resolution, saving time and money.
Family law matters can be more complex for childless couples when issues like significant assets, business ownership, trusts, inheritance, or the division of a large estate are involved.
A lawyer ensures your financial and personal interests are protected and that you achieve the best practical outcome for your unique situation. We can also provide specific advice on strategies for resolving your particular case, such as through alternative dispute resolution methods, including negotiation and mediation.
At Romer Maud Family Lawyers, we work tirelessly to achieve a good outcome for all clients. We provide kind, compassionate, and expert legal advice with a strategic approach to resolve family law matters through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings.
Our team of professionals is highly experienced and passionate about what we strive to minimise stress and conflict, particularly for complex parenting and property issues, and connect clients with support services, empowering them to make informed decisions.
If you are facing issues related to family law, we are here to help you. Book your free appointment with one of our team members here to receive the answers you need.
About The Author - Durra Baraz
Durra Baraz is our Senior Associate Family Lawyer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Law in Arts degree with a major in Arabic Language and Translation.
Durra has a deep passion for helping clients who speak little English – and are more confident Arabic speakers – receive the quality support they need.
Before working in law she was a Human Resource Officer for a number of years, honing her skills in communication and negotiation.
She is a proud mother to three boys and spends her time outside of work with friends, family, and teaching Sunday school at her church.
*This post is an overview only and should not be considered as legal advice. If there are any matters that you would like us to advise you on, then please contact us.
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Disappointing experience, especially because when choosing a lawyer I read so many positive reviews for this company. From the beginning, I felt unsupported and as though my matter was not genuinely being progressed. Despite paying for legal fees when necessary, I saw little to no meaningful progress and ultimately felt that my matter went nowhere. The other party was repeatedly able to not respond, and I felt there were limited options or consequences available to move things forward, even in light of previous court arrangements. I understand that solicitors cannot control the other party or guarantee an outcome. However, I expected clear communication, genuine support and reasonable efforts to progress my matter, particularly when ongoing concerns and behaviours were being raised. Instead, I was left feeling unheard, frustrated and out of pocket, with no meaningful change to the parenting arrangements and continuing difficulties around communication and parenting responsibilities. I also questioned whether my age affected my experience, although I cannot say that this was the case. I simply hope that being a younger client did not influence the level of attention or support I received, as I was still a paying customer seeking legal assistance. Alison and Seren both seemed lovely on a personal level, but unfortunately I was left feeling that my matter was not a priority. Overall, I unfortunately would not choose to use this firm again. I will add though, Seren understood my circumstances and worked with me to ensure I could afford each step of the process, it’s just unfortunate nothing more could be achieved with the obvious act of neglect from the other party.
27 September 2026
Very Helpful with lots of information regarding our requirements. Also very professional in the manner they conducted the teams meeting.
30 July 2026
Highly recommend Romer Maud for their legal expertise in family law and professionalism, but equally their care and support throughout the process - in particular Emina Hiddick who was an absolute rock and guiding light throughout, always patient, responsive and generous with her time, knowledge of the legal system and advice. I felt confident and fortunate to have Emina representing me and helping me navigate a challenging time.
25 May 2026
I had such wonderful support through one of the most difficult times of my life from Emina at Romero Maud Family Lawyers. She handled my case with kindness and respect and was able to guide me whilst also allowing my to maintain my core goals and outcomes. Would highly highly recommend.
29 April 2026
Seren from Romer Maud was absolutely amazing. She was professional, supportive, and genuinely cared about getting the best outcome for me and my daughter. She made a stressful process much easier and kept everything clear and straightforward. I’m so grateful for her help and highly recommend her to anyone needing a family lawyer. Thank you so much Seren and the team at Romer Maud, we couldn't of done it without you.
29 April 2026
Communication was not effective I was confused about my situation and after taking their first appointment I didn’t felt like I have been heard or suggested what would be my next steps
29 April 2026
In response to the comment from Romer Maud below - I use a pseudonym online, the reason for which should be plainly obvious especially to you given what you’ve been privy to of my situation. The fact that you cannot recall a 22 month long separation which you were part of says it all really. I have included more than enough specific details that the case should be obvious to you. I was not your client, my previous partner was. However we were both massively negatively impacted on every level by your ineptitude, highlighted here by the very fact you’ve no recollection even of the case, that only concluded in April of this year. My original review post: At every point where an agreement should have been reached, this firm failed to effectively guide their client toward resolution. As a result, the separation was unnecessarily prolonged. This was not over a complex or high-value asset pool. It was modest, and the limitations were clear, if not from their client, then certainly from the accurate information repeatedly provided by my lawyer and barrister. Their approach cost both their client and myself over $50,000 each in unnecessary legal fees. They provided incorrect advice regarding financial separation and were unable to manage their client’s expectations. At mediation, my barrister (with 20+ years’ experience) had to explain, in front of one of this firm partners and their junior barrister, what a court would consider fair and reasonable. Even after eight hours of negotiation that day (which they only attended because their client failed to appear), no agreement was reached. Ultimately, their client accepted an offer I had made two years earlier, before lawyers were involved, based on my own accurate research. By that point, we had spent over $50,000 each and endured 22 months of entirely avoidable litigation. Our combined legal fees equated to roughly one-fifth of the asset pool, with this firm’s fees representing more than one-third of their client’s share. The cost of reaching agreement was excessive. For nearly two years, they allowed their client to believe they were entitled to far more than a court would award. We came close to a final trial, a costly and stressful outcome we narrowly avoided. Their conduct prolonged financial limbo and, in my view, enabled ongoing financial abuse. The court was aware of this. It is unclear whether this reflects inexperience, an inability to manage difficult clients, or prioritisation of fees over resolution. Regardless, the outcome was the same: delay, cost and psychological distress. If this firm represents you or your ex, expect prolonged timelines, significant legal costs, and repeated inaccuracies in correspondence and financials. I routinely had to pay my lawyer to correct their errors. They operated on a deferred payment model, taking fees from their client’s settlement. This likely reduced their client’s awareness of escalating costs. In contrast, I paid regularly, making the financial impact of litigation immediate. Following mediation, progress improved slightly (though settlement still took another five months), likely once the financial reality became clear they would not be paid appropriately for a final trial out of their clients realistic share of the asset pool. Communication was consistently delayed, court ordered deadlines were never respected and responses were often almost always incomplete or incorrect. Even post-settlement, finalisation of court-ordered matters was delayed by SIX months. I had to re-engage my lawyer just to obtain responses and ultimately complete required work myself to ensure compliance after this firm sent confirmation that proved their client lodged a highly questionable tax return, attempting to avoid paying CGT entirely, which was outside what was legally required. I strongly recommend avoiding this firm. If they are acting for your ex, be prepared for an unnecessarily prolonged and costly process.
28 April 2026
Very professional and lovely to speak to, gave me confidence to move forward knowing they will support me all the way
31 March 2026
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