Accredited experts in family law, Melbourne
Our specialist family law firm practices in all areas of family law, including divorce and separation, property settlements, and child support.
Specialist family law firm
We have 40+ years of experience dealing with family law matters.
Client focused
Get the help, guidance, and legal support you need to move forward.
Commendable service
We’re ranked in the top five family law firms in Melbourne.
Open and upfront
We will clearly outline expectations and a quote for legal fees following your initial consultation.
We’re on your side
At Carew Counsel, we provide specialist family law advice to those going through family disputes or navigating complex family matters. Our family lawyers go the extra mile to get to know you and your situation so that they can suggest the best path forward for you and your family.
As a family-run team ourselves, we understand the importance of resolving family law disputes in the most amicable way possible, and do what we can to reach a fair and equitable outcome. Our experience has taught us that this can be a highly emotional and stressful time, which is why we aim to minimise the pain and help you move through to the next phase of your life.
Our awards and memberships
Our family law services
Family law issues we can help with
No matter how straightforward or complex your case, we can help you reach a family dispute resolution in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
Resolving your family law matters
Make an enquiry
Get started by discussing your situation with a family law expert.
Why choose Carew Counsel
Strive to exceed expectations
We prioritise client satisfaction by reducing unnecessary costs and putting them first in every decision we make.
Demonstrated history of success
We’re recognised as a specialist family law firm in Victoria, dedicated to helping clients on their family law journey.
Proven strategies
Our experienced family lawyers are specialists in their field, offering custom solutions for those who seek legal advice.
Transparent & upfront
Our family lawyers have an open communication policy, which means we’re transparent about pricing, the process and potential outcomes.
Client testimonials
Hear from our satisfied clients across Victoria.
"I highly recommend Carew Counsel Solicitors for anyone seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable solicitor for family law matters. Madison Ogilvie excelled in her communication, ensuring I was kept informed every step of the way. Although it got stressful, Madison's professionalism was top-notch."
"Carew Counsel team was recommended to me by one of my friends and my case was handled by Keleigh and her team very efficiently, with quick replies, flexibility to change requests and professionally. I am highly recommending them to their future clients and can only thank them with this review for their great work."
"In what was a difficult time to go through, I'm thankful that I had the team at Carew in my corner. I received sound advice all the way through the process and felt proud of the dignified way that my case was being responded to. I would certainly recommend Madison and the team at Carew for their professionalism, experience, integrity and dedicated service."
"10 Stars! Very happy & relieved that I chose Carew Counsel for a family member in an extremely concerning & complicated Family Court/child protection matter. Highly professional, ethical, respectful, knowledgeable, hardworking, strategic, collaborative, communicative, caring, compassionate & child & family welfare focused. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us protect our little child."
"To the Carew Counsel team. I would like to thank you all for your interest, professionalism, and humanity. You enabled a very stressful process to be handled with diligence and care. I am very grateful to you all for assisting me with this. Most of all, a big thank you to you Jenni Mooney, for your competence, professionalism and humour. Because of you, the process was as least stressful as feasibly possible. My heart goes out to you. Carew Counsel are lucky to have you. All the best to you all."
"10 Stars! Very happy & relieved that I chose Alex Carew & Carew Counsel for a family member in an extremely concerning & complicated Family Court/child protection matter. Highly professional, ethical, respectful, knowledeable, hard working, strategic, collaborative, communicative, caring, compassionate & child & family welfare focused. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us protect our little child."
"I would like to thank and acknowledge all the team at Carew Counsel Solicitors for representing me in my recent financial settlement matter. I highly recommend that you engage Carew Counsel Solicitors to represent you in your family law matter."
"Across my two year fight to save my son from serious harm, Alex Carew was there every step of the way. His wisdom, professionalism, empathy, meticulous notes, and steadfast negotiation yielded a result which will protect my son now, and for years to come. I can't recommend him and his firm highly enough."
"To the Carew Counsel team. I would like to thank you all for your interest, professionalism, and humanity. You enabled a very stressful process to be handled with diligence and care. I am very grateful to you all for assisting me with this."
Meet your Melbourne family lawyers, solicitors, and specialists
Our collaborative philosophy
When you appoint our family lawyers to represent you and your case, we do so in a transparent and non-aggressive way. Personal matters, such as family violence intervention orders, financial settlements, parenting disputes, and child support matters already take an emotional, financial, and psychological toll; with this holistic approach, we aim to solve your family law matter collaboratively with the other side to find a beneficial outcome for both parties.
Other benefits of this approach include:
- Saves time and resources compared to traditional Family Court proceedings
- Option to invite other professionals into the process, such as a child specialist
- Work together with the other party to find an agreed resolution, avoiding the need for litigation
Frequently asked questions
Browse our most commonly asked questions relating to family law matters and our services.
Absolutely. According to the Family Law Act, genuine de facto couples (including those in same-sex relationships) can access separation services should they need to. Family lawyers can provide guidance on various issues, such as property settlement, child support, and spousal maintenance, to individuals in de facto relationships, just as they would for married couples. If a decision can’t be reached, the de facto couple can ask the Family Court to decide if they cannot mutually agree after mediation.
Legal fees vary depending on the services you need, the lawyer's experience, the complexity of your family law issues, and the billing structure (hourly rates or fixed fees).
At Carew Counsel, we'll provide you with an estimate based on the anticipated outcome, which we will determine based on the information that we receive in your intial conusltation. This will be provided to you before you engage our services. We may be able to offer a fixed fee if your matter is simple and the outcome is clear easily forseeable. Fees are tailored to your specific needs which is why we recommend booking a consultation so we can get a better understanding of the services you require before we provide a quote.
Yes - our family lawyers practise in all areas of family law and would be happy to assist you, no matter how complex your situation may be. We have decades of experience and will work with you to find the best and most cost-effective solution. Make an enquiry with our team who will discuss your situation and assign you a family lawyer who has experience specific to your needs.