Family Lawyers in Wellington
Getting the right advice early can make separation less stressful and less costly. ALA Law’s family lawyers help Wellington families with divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements and child support, by phone, by video or in person in Orange or Dubbo.
- Accredited Family Law Specialists
- Phone & video appointments
- Confidential & respectful
Local advice for Wellington families
Wellington sits between our Orange office and our Dubbo appointments, so meeting in person is easy to arrange. Many clients prefer phone or video, and we can share and review documents securely online.
Wellington family lawyers who keep things practical
Separation affects every part of family life, from where the children go to school to who keeps the house or the farm. We help you understand where you stand, what a fair outcome looks like and the most practical way to get there.
We act for families in Wellington and nearby communities such as Geurie, Stuart Town and Mumbil, and around Lake Burrendong. Whether you’re negotiating a parenting plan or dividing rural property, we bring the same care and attention to detail.
Our team is led locally by Special Counsel Julie Vass and supported by ALA Law’s Accredited Family Law Specialists, so you get specialist family law expertise close to home.
Contact ALA Law
- Orange: by appointment only
- Dubbo: by appointment only
- 1300 ALA LAW (1300 252 529)
- reception@alalaw.com.au
- Phone & video appointments for Wellington clients
Family law services for Wellington clients
Choose an area below to learn more. Not sure where your situation fits? Call us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Separation & divorce
Clear guidance through separation and your divorce application, handled with respect.
Children & parenting
Parenting plans and orders that put your children’s wellbeing first.
Property settlement
A fair division of property, farms, businesses, super and finances.
Child support
Advice on Services Australia assessments and private child support agreements.
Collaborative family law
Resolve complex matters privately, respectfully and without going to court.
Mediation & dispute resolution
Reach agreement faster, with less conflict and lower cost.
Courts that deal with family matters near Wellington
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deals with family law matters from Wellington. The nearest locations are the Dubbo Registry and the Court’s circuit sittings in Orange, and you can file most documents online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
Wellington also has its own Local Court, which deals with apprehended domestic violence orders and, on Local Court sitting days, Children’s Court matters. We can explain which court your matter belongs in and what will happen there.
Wellington Local Court
23 Maughan Street, Wellington. Deals with ADVO applications and local matters. The registry keeps limited hours, so check before you visit.
Federal Circuit and Family Court
Divorce, parenting and property applications. The nearest locations are the Dubbo Registry and circuit sittings in Orange, with many hearings now held by video.
Family dispute resolution
Most parents must try mediation before applying for parenting orders. We can arrange private mediation and help you prepare.
Court sitting days and registry hours change from time to time. Check the court’s website before you attend, or ask us and we’ll confirm the details for you.
How we help Wellington families
From a first conversation about separation to formalising an agreement, we guide you through each step.
- Separation and divorce applications
- Parenting plans and parenting orders
- Property settlements, including rural land and family businesses
- Child support and spousal maintenance
- Apprehended domestic violence orders and urgent parenting matters
- Consent orders and binding financial agreements
Working with our Wellington family lawyers
Call or request a call back
Tell us a little about your situation. We’ll explain how we can help and what happens next.
Meet your lawyer
Choose a phone or video appointment from Wellington, or meet us in person in Orange or Dubbo by appointment.
Get a clear plan
We’ll explain your options, likely outcomes and costs, and agree on a strategy that suits you.
Resolve your matter
We negotiate, mediate and, only if needed, go to court, keeping you updated at every step.
Meet Julie Vass
Julie leads our family law work for clients across Orange and the Central West, including Wellington. Admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in 1998, she brings more than 25 years’ experience across all areas of family law, with particular skill in dispute resolution and arbitration.
Julie is supported by ALA Law’s family law Partners Amanda Little, Rosemary Aloisio and Bernadette Melhem, each an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Wellington clients get the depth of a large specialist team with the personal attention of a local lawyer.
What our clients say
“Did a great job working through all the matters in my case. Advice was awesome always making sure I was kept up to date. So glad I chose such a good office.”
Ely“The girls were great and (did) everything I asked of them and more I would highly recommend.”
Jason“Very professional and knowledgeable….. highly recommend.”
CarlyFamily law questions from Wellington clients
Do I need to travel to see a family lawyer?
Not necessarily. Most of our Wellington clients meet with us by phone or video, and we share and review documents securely online. If you’d prefer to meet face to face, we see clients in Orange and Dubbo, by appointment only.
Where is the nearest Family Court to Wellington?
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has a registry in Dubbo and holds circuit sittings in Orange. You can file most documents online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal, and the Court now holds many hearings by video, so you may not need to travel at all.
Where are AVOs dealt with in Wellington?
The Local Court deals with apprehended domestic violence orders. Wellington Local Court is at 23 Maughan Street. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.
Is there a 50/50 custody rule in Australia?
No. The law doesn’t start from a 50/50 rule. The Court’s focus is what is in the child’s best interests, including their safety and their relationship with each parent. Many families agree on shared arrangements that work for them, and we can help you reach one.
Do I have to go to court to sort out my family law matter?
Usually not. We resolve most matters through negotiation, mediation or collaborative law, and consent orders can make the agreement legally binding. Court is a last resort, but if it’s needed we’ll be standing firmly in your corner.
Are de facto couples treated differently from married couples?
For property and parenting matters, de facto couples generally have similar rights to married couples under the Family Law Act, provided certain requirements are met, such as living together for at least two years or having a child together. The time limit for property claims is two years from separation.
Talk to a family lawyer for Wellington today
Book a confidential phone, video or in-person appointment with our Wellington family lawyers. We’ll listen, explain your options and help you take the next step with confidence.