Expert Family Lawyers
in Melbourne
Let us advise & support you
today to shape tomorrow.
Handling family law matters for more than 60 years
Welcome to Maeve O’Brien & Associates, a practice dedicated to delivering legal services in the way that clients need and want. Our firm was founded by Maeve O’Brien and has been engaged in the delivery of the highest quality family legal services to the local Melbourne community and beyond for more than 60 years.
Our primary area of legal expertise is in Family and Relationship Law. We want each client to know and be confident that we will do everything we can as lawyers to help them navigate the next stage of their life and, where possible, mitigate risks which inevitably arise in situations of a relationship breakdown.
At Maeve O’Brien & Associates, our clients are at the centre of their legal team. Our family lawyers in Melbourne provide clients with advice, guidance, and support to assist them to choose the most favourable, pragmatic, and cost-effective outcome for them. To do this, we help our clients carefully assess and select from a range of process options.
Our family lawyers are highly experienced at representing clients in out-of-court negotiations, including negotiations between lawyers and Alternate Dispute Resolution models such as Mediation, Collaborative Practice and Parenting Coordination. When necessary, we are strong advocates for our clients in Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia proceedings.
To complement our Family Law practice, we also assist with Family/Domestic Violence matters (Intervention Orders), Child Protection matters, Wills/Estates (including Probate, Estate planning and Powers of Attorney) and Conveyancing matters in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.
Melbourne Family Lawyers
Our Melbourne family lawyers have expertise in the following practice areas:
Let us advise & support you today to shape tomorrow
What Our Clients Say
“Melissa presented a calming and confident presence at all times. She really took the time to understand me and what I wanted to achieve and was very insightful and professional. The end result was one that I was hoping for, but thought would never be possible. Melissa is an outstanding family lawyer and I highly recommend her to anyone. I could not have made a better choice. Simply phenomenal from start to finish!”
~ VS
“Both Melissa and Arthur are confident and caring advisers. They gave me fantastic advice and guided me so I could achieve the best possible result. They were both calming and compassionate and any question I asked was ever made to feel unimportant. I have and will keep referring them to anyone who needs a great Solicitor.’’
~ Anne Maree
“Without second thought, I would highly recommend Melissa to anyone requiring legal help. She has been nothing but professional, understanding and practical, as well as genuinely compassionate every step of the way during my legal journey. Melissa and her “right hand woman”, Suzie, make an exceptional team. Both have always been kind, supportive and considerate. They are gentle and wise, offering valuable advice, as well as being competent and pragmatic. I couldn’t have asked for more perfect help and care during a difficult time.”
~ AS
“My ex and I were keen to find a separation path that prioritized the well-being of our 3 teenagers and preserved our supportive friendship. Having observed some horrendous separations that had destroyed families and finances, we were recommended to explore Collaborative Divorce and Melissa was recommended to me as a highly experienced Senior Family Lawyer that was also a specialist in Collaborative practice. Throughout the process Melissa has been supportive of the outcomes being sought and has been practical, intuitive, and direct when necessary. The result achieved with Melissa’s stewardship and advice has enabled our children’s education and support as young adults to continue to be prioritized and financial concerns and needs heard and addressed. I highly recommend Melissa as a Family Lawyer.”
~ David
“I always feel so reassured after speaking with you. You may not realise it, but you have helped me save my mental health. I would never have expected to find someone who is so supportive and frank, who just pushes me in the right direction but also extends a sensitive and kind touch to such an unpleasant situation.”
~ VT
“I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all the help you have provided. I remember you were very good on the phone when I spoke to you the night before I first met you… Your words made me feel safer… Thank you, Arthur.”
~ DC
“It’s difficult to describe the hurdles that you face when coming out of a long term abusive relationship… I have found that it is critical to have the right people around you at this time and I’m lucky you were there.”
~ NR
“Arthur has been absolutely amazing & the most humble, kind & best family lawyer I have ever came across. He has been extremely professional and very efficient. Thank you so much Arthur! I also want to say thank you to all the Maeve O’Brien staff members – they been all very supportive and very helpful.”
~ HR
“Melissa is a highly experienced and capable adviser, who provides a really useful blend of legal and practical insight quite rare, even among the most experienced and dedicated lawyers. I also found her to be diligent in attending to the small details, while never losing sight of the big picture of the outcomes I was seeking to achieve, all while bringing sensitivity, compassion and humour to her daily work. I would not hesitate to recommend her to any legal task or brief, large or small.”
~ KS
Experienced Melbourne Family Law Solicitors
Client centred &
approachable
Strong
Communicators
Efficient &
practical
Strategic
& flexible
