About us

We have been providing family law services since 1970 and we are able to take on any case.

Our family law team consists of three family law solicitors and three family law personal assistants as well as support staff.

At Matthews Dooley & Gibson we recognise that each family law case is individual, personal and confidential. We also understand that, for many reasons, most people in need of family law advice need to receive that advice urgently.

We have a dedicated family law telephone number and e-mail address to ensure confidentiality and a prompt initial appointment. For your initial appointment telephone us on 9672 2255 or e-mail us at familylaw@mdglegal.com.au. Your first appointment of up to half an hour will be free of charge and obligation free.

We guarantee that your first appointment will be within two days of your telephone call or e-mail. If that does not occur, please telephone the firm's Managing Partner, Mark Ford.

At your free appointment we will discuss with you any issues that you wish to raise, give preliminary advice and discuss costs arrangements with you in the event that you wish us to represent you.

As a general rule, in property settlement cases, we do not require costs to be paid until the end of the matter unless special circumstances apply which require us to make an agreement with you to the contrary. In other matters, if you wish us to represent you, appropriate arrangements in relation to payment of our costs will need to be agreed.

Why choose us to represent you?

Our team is large enough to ensure that you receive prompt advice and urgent action when necessary.

We encourage early settlement of matters to minimise legal costs and delays in resolving your matter and we will advise you of your rights and entitlements at the earliest possible time.

On the other hand, we recognise that all cases are individual and some matters will need a strong hand used against the other party. When so instructed, we will conduct matters accordingly.

We will be up front about costs from the very first appointment and we will inform you in writing of your current costs and anticipated future costs at each stage of the proceedings.

Whichever way you wish to have your case conducted, we will work with you to achieve a good result.

From your first appointment a dedicated Solicitor and personal assistant will be appointed to conduct your case.

When should you come to see us?

The best time, if possible, is before you separate if you are contemplating a separation or believe that your spouse is contemplating a separation. This is the best time because, depending upon your circumstances and your case, we can assist you with the following:-

• Counselling options.
• Advice as to your rights and entitlements to ease your worries.
• If it seems that separation is unavoidable, advice as to things that you should do in the best interests of your children (if applicable) and yourself.

Remember, your first appointment is free and so if a separation does not eventuate or you do not wish to instruct us, it costs you nothing to obtain some free advice and peace of mind.

If you have not been able to see us before separation you should come to see us immediately after separation.

If you have separated, but the separation is a trial or you are undecided as to whether the marriage has irretrievably broken down, you may wish to wait until you have formed the view that it is unlikely that you will get back together.

If you are served with any Court documentation you should come to see us immediately.

The types of cases we do. 

• Property settlement - the division of the matrimonial assets.
• Spousal maintenance - in appropriate cases one spouse may be ordered to pay maintenance to the other spouse.
• Issues relating to children - residence (formerly custody).
  • Contact (formerly access)
  • Restraining Orders - recovery cases (where a child may be, or has been, taken away without consent).
• Welfare cases.
• Matters relating to the raising of children e.g. education, cultural, medical and religious issues (called Specific Issues).
• Child Support cases - where a parent seeks a departure order from an assessment made by the Child Support Agency.
• Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders.
• All types of urgent applications.
• Relocation Applications (where a parent wishes to move with a child to a different location).

The above applies to married couples, defacto couples and parties in a domestic relationship within the meaning of the Property (Relationships) Act 1984.

What should you do when you are ready to contact us?

To make your initial free appointment telephone us on 9672 2255 or e-mail us on familylaw@mdglegal.com.au.

Many first appointments are urgent and take place at very emotional times. Don't worry if you feel disorganised, just bring yourself in and we will do our best to ease your worries.

On the other hand, if you are organised, to obtain the most out of your initial appointment you can do any one or all of the following:-

• Complete the attached Instruction sheet;
• Bring with you your Marriage Certificate (or a copy);
• Bring with you up to date financial information and/or documentation;
• Bring with you notes of any relevant matters that you wish to discuss.

If you wish to complete the Instruction Sheet to streamline the process click here.