Family Law Solicitors serving Campbelltown, Leppington, Liverpool, Camden and Sydney

At Marsdens, we have a strong Family Law team equipped with a high standard of skill, care and legal knowledge to effectively resolve complex parenting and property matters.

Family breakdown or separation is a highly emotional situation and we aim to provide our clients with a supportive environment by keeping them informed and involved so they can feel confident in the outcome.

Our team is led by our Accredited Family Law Specialists, Mr Tom Reeve, Mrs Nevine Youssef and Mrs Jean Alim, and backed by a dedicated team of legal experts with years of experience in advising and representing clients in Court.

Our team is also committed to the early resolution of disputes, encouraging clients to explore alternative and the more cost effective methods of settling matters which will greatly reduce the stress and uncertainty associated with litigation.

Whatever path you choose to take, our Family Law solicitors will listen to you and work with you. Part of our expertise also includes working with other recognised experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists, accountants and valuers so we can achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

Our expertise extends across all aspects of Family Law and includes:

  • Collaborative law
  • Family Dispute Resolution
  • Divorce
  • Parenting Disputes
  • Property Disputes
  • Binding Financial Agreements
  • Same Sex Couples and Separation
  • Child Support

Our Family Law solicitors are sensitive to the financial and emotional costs that accompany a family separation. We will work with you from the start to identify your objectives and needs and how best to achieve them. For personalised and professional advice, contact Marsdens today.

Team

Our family law Team

Tom Reeve

Tom Reeve

Partner

Accredited Specialist - Family Law & Advocacy

Tom is the Partner in charge of Family Law at our Sydney Office. Tom has many years experience as a Family Law Accredited Specialist and is an expert in this field. He is involved in all stages of the process and specialises in complex litigation and...
Nevine Youssef

Nevine Youssef

Partner

Accredited Specialist - Family Law and FDRP

Nevine has been a member of the Marsdens team since 1996. Nevine is the Partner in charge of the Family Law team at our Campbelltown office.Nevine is an expert in Family Law and is accredited by The Law Society of NSW as a Family Law Accredited Speci...
Jean Alim

Jean Alim

Partner

Accredited Specialist - Family Law

Jean is the Partner of the Family Law team at our Liverpool office and a NSW Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Jean commenced with Marsdens in 2007 and focuses predominantly in Family Law.Jean was admitted as a Solicitor by the Supreme Court of NS...
Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon

Partner

Anthony Gordon is the Partner in charge of the Camden Office of Marsdens Law Group and is a General Practitioner. As a General Practitioner he acts for clients in all areas of Family Law, Estate Planning, Property and Conveyancing Law, Criminal and C...
Vayshali Chandra

Vayshali Chandra

Partner

Vayshali Chandra is a Partner in the Family Law department at our Campbelltown office. Vayshali began working with Marsdens in 2011 as a clerk and since her admission she has been working in the Family Law Department exclusively with Partners, Tom Re...
Arti Deo

Arti Deo

Senior Associate

Arti is an Senior Associate at Marsdens Law Group and works exclusively in the area of Family Law under Partner, Jean Alim at our Liverpool office. She joined the firm in 2007 and has worked predominately in our Family Law department since that time....
Andrew Larque

Andrew Larque

Senior Associate

Andrew is a Senior Associate in our Family Law department in our Sydney office and works under Partner Tom Reeve.  Andrew joined Marsdens Law Group in 2016 and has practiced exclusively in the area of Family Law since that time.  Andrew holds a Bach...
Carla Sechi

Carla Sechi

Senior Associate

Carla is a Senior Associate practicing exclusively in our Family Law department, and works under Partner, Nevine Youssef at our Campbelltown office. Carla joined the Marsdens team in 2018. Prior to joining Marsdens Law Group, Carla gained invaluable ...
Laura Blackstone

Laura Blackstone

Associate

Laura joined the Camden Office team in late 2021 as a General Practitioner working alongside Anthony Gordon. Laura practices in all areas of Criminal Law, Property and Conveyancing, Family Law, Commercial and Estate Planning.Laura was admitted as a s...
Vincent Chong

Vincent Chong

Solicitor

Vincent is a solicitor in our Family Law department at our office in Liverpool.Vincent has gained a broad range of experience in a number of areas of law before becoming predominantly focused on the area of Family Law.In August 2021, Vincent was admi...
Jianming (Roger) Jiang

Jianming (Roger) Jiang

Solicitor

Roger is a solicitor in our Family Law department at our office in Sydney.Roger has been a general practice lawyer experienced in a range of areas of law before working in our Family Law department.Roger was admitted as a lawyer in Hong Kong in 2017 ...
Joshua Knattress

Joshua Knattress

Solicitor

Joshua is a solicitor in our Family Law department in Campbelltown, working with Partners Nevine Youssef and Vayshali Chandra.Joshua joined Marsdens Law Group in 2024 and has gained previous legal experience working in a boutique firm in the areas of...
Matthew Mangiapane

Matthew Mangiapane

Solicitor

Matthew is a Solicitor in our Family Law department in Campbelltown working with Partner Nevine Youssef.Matthew joined Marsdens Law Group in 2022 and has attained previous legal experience during his Practical Legal Training in Family Law, Property L...
Bryson McMartin

Bryson McMartin

Solicitor

Bryson is a Solicitor in our Family Law department in Campbelltown working with Partner Nevine Youssef.Bryson joined Marsdens Law Group in 2023 as a Graduate gaining legal experience in Family Law while completing his Practical Legal Training.In 2022...
Sandy Naidu

Sandy Naidu

Solicitor

Sandy is a Solicitor practicing exclusively in our Family Law Department, working alongside Partner, Tom Reeve at our Sydney office.Prior to joining Marsdens Law Group, Sandy acquired a wide range of knowledge and indispensable exposure in Family Law...
Samantha Sharpe

Samantha Sharpe

Solicitor

Samantha is a solicitor in our Family Law Department, working alongside Partner Tom Reeve at our Sydney office.Samantha was admitted to practice in early 2022, having completed her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Politics/Philosophy) from the ...

FAQ

What happens if I don’t know the details of my ex-partner’s financial situation and assets and they won’t tell me?

Parties are required pursuant to the law to disclose fully and frankly to the other party their financial position and must provide all their financial documentation as requested. In the event they fail to do so Orders can be sought from the Court and there can be Cost Orders made against the non-complying party.

 

What is parental responsibility?

Parental responsibility relates to which parent can make decisions about any major life developments, such as the child’s religion or which school they will attend. Until there’s a Court Order in place, both parents are to consult each other on these matters and reach joint decisions where possible. Court Orders will then stipulate if one parent is to have sole parental responsibility or if this is to be shared by both parties.

Will my former partner automatically get half our assets?

No, this is a common misconception of family law. In family law property matters, the division of assets is based upon the financial and non-financial contributions made by each party at the commencement of the relationship, during the relationship and after separation, as well as the future needs of both parties. There is no automatic apportionment of assets.

Does my matter have to go to Court?

No, commencing Court proceedings is always the last resort. An agreement known as Consent Orders can be entered into out of court if the parties have already informally agreed on the parenting or property arrangements going forward. Also before going to Court, negotiations can occur between solicitors or through Dispute Resolution. Taking your matter to Court can often be a significant cause of stress, so we attempt to avoid this wherever possible and appropriate.

Can my partner and I just agree as to how to split our assets without the Court?

Yes definitely. If you both have reached an agreement then we can create what is known as a Consent Order. This involves you providing us with your expectations as to how you want the split to occur and who gets what. We can then tailor an Order precisely in line with what you want to happen which sets out exactly how the assets are to be divided. The documents are then registered with the Court to formalise the agreement.

How will my superannuation be allocated?

There are several options available to deal with the division of superannuation. It can be treated as part of the asset pool and split between the parties after separation in accordance with the division of the entire property pool. Superannuation can also be dealt with separately if you and your former partner have reached an agreement about how you wish to divide the amount available.

Do I have to attend mediation?

Parties to a Family Law matter are obliged to attend a Family Dispute Resolution Conference prior to going to Court. If an agreement cannot be reached at mediation, the matter will proceed to Court however it is always preferable to settle outside of Court to reduce the emotional and financial burden on parties. 

Do I need to update my Will?

Yes, it is very important that this is done as soon as possible. Should you unfortunately pass away before your Will is updated, your former partner would likely be entitled to whatever portion of your estate you had initially left them. We are always more than happy to refer you to our Estate Planning department to assist you with updating your Will.

 

My partner has been unfaithful. Can I take legal action? Will the Court take this into consideration in my family law matter?

No, infidelity is not a factor in family law parenting or property proceedings. Nor can any other legal action be taken on that ground alone. Parenting matters are concerned with what arrangement will be in the best interests of the child. Property matters and the subsequent division of assets is based on the contributions and future needs of the parties.  

Do you offer Litigation Funding?

Litigation finance has become prominent in the Family Law space. Litigation finance is like any other finance, a third party provides financial support to one of the parties involved in a Family Law matter. Litigation lenders ease the financial burden of separation and aim to create equal access to financial and legal resources for both parties. With the help of your lawyer, lenders assess your likely outcome in a matter and will provide funding that can be used for lawyers' fees and disbursements such as valuations or barristers fees. The funds do not become repayable until your matter has been finalised.