Our Family Law Services

SEPARATION

Choosing to separate from your partner can be an emotionally challenging time. Our family lawyers can help turn your emotions and goals into a plan of action.

PROPERTY SETTLEMENT

Securing optimum outcomes best suited to your financial circumstances starts with practical legal advice. Our family lawyers can work with you and your spouse to determine a fair and equitable settlement for your assets.

MEDIATION & FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Our Sydney family law specialists are experts in family dispute resolution, effectively resolving disputes outside the courtroom so all parties involved can keep control of the process from start to finish.

DIVORCE

Our family lawyers cover all the essential legal steps in an easy-to-understand way, so you can feel confident in moving forward with your divorce. We're always here to help you understand the issues that affect your family.

CHILD CUSTODY

Prioritising your children's best interests at all times is at the forefront of what we do. The decisions we make today play a role in your children's tomorrow, so we'll do everything we can to protect their future.

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE

An alternative to the traditional approach to family law, collaborative divorce involves you and your partner working together to achieve practical and positive family solutions.

DE FACTO RELATIONSHIPS

Our lawyers are experienced with the breakdown of de facto relationships. If you have decided to end your de facto relationship, our team can ensure a positive outcome that accommodates your unique family situation.

Let’s Resolve Your Family Law Matter

Benefit from sincere, personalised advice with no obligation.

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Meet our Sydney Family Lawyers

Oliver Lacey

Principal

Lisa Wagner

Special Counsel

Christine La Cava

Special Counsel

Stuart Colderick

Senior Associate

Ollie Najdenska - Doolan Wagner Family Lawyers North Sydney

Ollie Najdenska

Associate

Emilia Turnbull

Associate

Anne Marie Jonas

Client Services Manager

Get One Of Our Family Law Specialists On Your Side

Our expert family lawyers will be by your side every step of the way.

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Hire the best family lawyers in Sydney

Separation and divorce can be incredibly difficult for all members involved. But before you and your partner can go separate ways, several matters need to be addressed, like your finances, child custody arrangements and dividing your assets. Doolan Wagner Family Lawyers can help make this process easier. We’re here to guide you through the complex emotional and financial challenges of separation and divorce.

Doolan Wagner is a leading Sydney family law firm specialising in bringing a positive resolution to complex matters. Our family lawyers are experts at navigating the divorce process on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected at every stage.

Every case is unique and requires tailored advice to ensure you get the best possible outcome. Our family law team takes the time to study and review your situation before providing expert counsel and guidance.

As one of Sydney’s top family law firms, we have some of the best family lawyers under our roof. Whether you need quality representation during divorce proceedings or require assistance in child custody arrangements, our specialist family lawyers are prepared to represent you in the best capacity.

 

Speak to one of our family lawyers today to discuss your case.

Why us?

SPECIALIST EXPERTISE

We specialise in the resolution of complex family law matters.

COMPASSION AND SKILL

We advise you with care, to put you back in control of your life.

EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION

Proven experience sets us apart.

Testimonials

Four Ways We Resolve Complex Family Law Matters

  • Mediation
  • Negotiation
  • Collaborative Law
  • Litigation

Family law mediations are really no different to any other mediation and are most successful when you plan and are thoroughly prepared. Ensure your Lawyer has explained to you your best and worst scenario should a negotiated settlement not be achieved at your mediation. Without understanding the “goalposts”, it is difficult to recognise what is possibly the best family law solution for your matter during the mediation.

 

Remember also that family law mediation can take all day – your lawyer will tell you about the timings and expectations. You should be as prepared as your family lawyer for the entire process. If an intake session is not scheduled ahead of time, then the first part of the day is likely to be taken up with preliminary matters, including the mediator ensuring that they understand what is important to you. After an agenda is set, a lot of time in mediation is then devoted to identifying options and reality-testing solutions before a negotiated settlement can be successful.

 

A huge number of our family law clients reach successful outcomes at mediation, and it may just be right for you. Ask us today at Doolan Wagner Family Lawyers about how we can help you and whether a lawyer-assisted mediation is right for your family law matter. We are ready to assist.

Negotiations in family law matters are often very nuanced and emotionally charged. An experienced family law firm with many successful negotiations behind them is an invaluable resource. Negotiating in family law can be as simple as compromise and compromising again. However, ideally experienced lawyers working together can achieve “win-win” solutions for separating couples. Successful law negotiations must start with truly understanding what the real issues are. Clearing away the “noise” and getting to the heart of the matter and what matters to parties following separation places you in the best position to achieve an optimal outcome for you and your family following a separation.

 

Family law negotiations can take many forms including round table conferences, exchanging letters and even “coaching” from the sidelines to assist you to negotiate around the kitchen sink.

 

If you want a Sydney family lawyer to go in to bat for you at a round table conference or are at a stage where it is necessary to engage a family lawyer to draft a persuasive letter setting out your objectives, then that is what we do.

If you are trying to avoid the threat of going to court after your separation and want to stay in the “driver’s seat” then Collaborative practice may just be the right avenue for you to explore to reach a successful outcome.

 

Collaborative practice in family law involves a series of conversations convened by a neutral coach with your family lawyer present. You commit to enter into discussions in good faith and stay out of the court system. It’s a relaxed and supportive process and one which embodies a conversation-style of resolution where there is no ‘threat’ of Court looming over your heads as you negotiate and where you are both committed to negotiating in good faith. It also enables parties to feel empowered and as though they have a voice that is listened to by their partner.

 

This pledge to the process is what ensures the integrity of the matter and assists in reaching effective and often very tailored solutions to couples following a separation.

 

We have family & divorce lawyers trained in collaborative practice available to assist you to walk through this process if you are interested; collaborative practice may be right for you. Contact us at Doolan Wagner for an obligation free consultation to discuss whether it will work in your case.

When other avenues have failed or might not be right for you, litigation in the family court will be the “next step”. A lawyer with experience in the court system is what you need at this time. As a specialist practice, family law and appearing in court is all that we do. Our reputation in the court system is important to us and will assist you in securing the most optimum and cost-effective outcome as quickly as possible. It is true that family law litigation can be expensive and emotionally fraught. Without an experienced and caring team behind you advocating your interests it can just seem too hard.

 

If litigation is your next step or you are currently involved in the family court system and feel that it is not working for you we may be able to help:-

 

1. We have accredited family lawyers

 

2. We are a small tight-knit team – you will not get lost in our system nor will you be overlooked.

 

Each of our clients matters to us. It matters that your experience is positive. It matters to us if you are involved in litigation that you have a strong advocate putting forward your best case. We have years of experience working with prominent counsel and well-regarded barristers and a stable of experts with who we regularly engage. We are well equipped to assist you if family law litigation is required.

Let’s Resolve Your Family Law Matter

Benefit from sincere, personalised advice with no obligation.

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Family Law Insights

Comparing the Advantages and Disadvantages of Out of Court Settlement

June 6, 2023

Introduction Following separation, parties have different pathways which they can undertake to reach a resolution of their property and/or parenting matters without entering a courtroom.

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Parenting Arrangements for 0-4 Year Old Age Group

May 31, 2023

What are Parenting Arrangements? Parenting arrangements refer to the legal and practical arrangements made between separated or divorced parents regarding the care, welfare, and development of

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How to Prepare for Family and Divorce Mediation

May 29, 2023

Preparing for family and divorce mediation involves several steps to ensure you are well-equipped for the process. You can prepare for successful family and divorce mediation with Doolan Wagner

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Family Lawyers Sydney

Divorce at any age or life stage can be difficult, so having a qualified family lawyer by your side is essential. Doolan Wagner Family Lawyers is here to help you work through your separation or divorce and will bring several years of experience, education and knowledge to your case.

If you would like to discuss your case with one of our talented family lawyers, fill out our online form, and one of our team will be in touch shortly.

Family Law Insights

While many clients may think typing “family lawyer near me” into Google is sufficient to find a family lawyer — we think there’s more to it than location. When researching family lawyers, investigate their qualifications, experience level and success rate. Your family lawyer also needs to have excellent communication skills, as they will be responsible for facilitating conversations between you and your ex-partner and their legal representative.
During your initial consultation with Doolan Wagner Family Lawyers, you are not required to bring any documents, though you can if you believe they will benefit the conversation. Our initial consultation is to gather as much information as we can about your situation and answer any questions you may have about the divorce process.
Many Australians choose to represent themselves in Family Law Court and are even given some guidance by Federal Circuit Court or Family Court. While you may feel comfortable representing yourself in court, a family lawyer can provide unique and expert recommendations across several areas of Family Law, such as helping you and your ex-partner transition to co-parents, negotiating specific requests on your behalf and more.