DIVORCE & SEPARATION LAWYERS
Divorce and
Separation Lawyers Sydney
Clear Advice. A Practical Path Forward.
Separation can bring uncertainty about your legal status, children, finances and future. Our family lawyers help you understand what divorce does, what it does not to resolve and what steps may be required to protect your position. Whether you need hlep preparing a divorce application, proving separation under one roof or address related parenting and financial matters, we provide clear advice and practical strategy tailored to your circumstances.
- ✓ Understand your eligbility and the divorce process.
- ✓ Assitance with sole and joint divorce applications.
- ✓ Advice about separation under one roof.
- ✓ Guidance acrosss related parenting and financial matters.
Book Your Initial Consultation
A 60–90 minute consultation with an experienced family lawyer will give you clear advice and a practical plan forward.
Clear Advice
Understand the legal process and your available options.
Practical Guidance
Know what documents, evidence and steps may be required.
Complete Support
Advice about divorce and related parenting and financial matters.
Strong Representation
Careful preparation and Court representation where required.
Responsive Service
Clear communication and support throughout.
Our Approach
Strategic Advice with a Human Focus
Divorce can be legally straightforward in some cases, but the broader separation process is often deeply personal and may involve connected parenting, property and financial issues. We take the time to understand your circumstances, identify any risks and provide clear advice about the steps needed to move forward.
Clear Eligible Advice
We confirm whether the divorce requirements are satisfied and explain any evidence or supporting documents that may be required.
Carefule Preparation
We prepare your divorce application, affidavits and service documents carefully to reduce avoidable delays or complications.
You stayed Informed
We explain the process, available options and likely next steps so you can make confident and informed decisions
Practical Probelm-Solving
We assist with issues such as separation under one roof, overseas marriage certificates, service difficulties and locating a former spouse.
The Whole Picture
We explain how divorce may interact with parenting arrangements, property settlement, spousal maintenance and estate planning.
Ongoing Communication
We keep you updated throughout the process, explain what is happening and help you for each stage.
Divorce legally ends a marriage, but it is often only part of the borader separation process. We help clients understand the full picture, and move forward with clear advice and a practical plan.
— Kateryna Espino, Principal Solicitor & Founder
Divorce & Separation Services
How We Can Help
Divorce Applications
Preparation and filing of sole and joint divorce applications.
Separation Under
One Roof
Advice and affidavit evidence where you remained living at the same address after separation.
Sole Applications
and Service
Assistance serving the application and completing the required service documents.
Overseas Marriages
Advice where you married overseas and now are looking to obtain a divorce order.
Difficulty Locating
a Spouse
Advice about substituted service or dispensation of service where required.
Divorce Hearings
Preparation for and representation at a divorce hearing where attendance or further evidence is required.
Related Parenting
Matters
Advice about parenting plans, Consent Orders and parenting proceedings.
Related Property
Matters
Advice about property settlement, superannuation, disclosure, maintenance and financial agreements.
The Divorce Process
A Clear Path Through Your Divorce Application
Joint Eligibility
We confirm the separation period, Australian connection, marriage documentation and any special issues.
Prepare the
Application
A sole or joint Application for Divorce is prepared with any required supporting evidence.
File and Arrange
Service
The application is filed. For a sole application, the documents must be served on the other spouse.
Hearing and Further
Evidence
We address any attendance requirements, affidavits, service issues or questions raised by the Court.
Divorce Becomes
Final
If granted, the divorce generally becomes final one month and one day later, unless the Court makes a different order.
Why Choose Espino Law?
Focused Family Law Expertise — We specialise in family law matters, both parenting property.
Extensive Legal Knowledge — Principal Solicitor Kateryna Espino holds a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) and stays at the forefront of family law.
Court Experience — We regularly appear in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Boutique Firm, Strong Team — Personal service with the support of a collaborative legal team.
Results That Matter — Clear advice, strong advocacy and practical outcomes for your family.
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What to Expect in Your Initial Consultation
Your 60–90 minute consultation is an opportunity to gain clarity, understand your rights and explore your options.
Understand your situation and key issues
Explore legal pathways and likely outcomes
Plan your next steps with practical advice
Confidential, compassionate and focused on solutions
FAQ
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you are feeling ready, go ahead and book your consultation.
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Separation occurs when at least one spouse considers the relationship to be over. Divorce is the formal legal process that ends a marriage.
You do not need to file an application simply to become separated. However, you must generally be separated for at least 12 months and one day before applying for divorce. Divorce does not automatically resolve parenting, property or financial matters.
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You must generally be separated for at least 12 months and one day before filing an Application for Divorce.
The Court must also be satisfied that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and that there is no reasonable likelihood that married life will resume.
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Yes. This is commonly called separation under one roof.
You may need to provide additional evidence showing that the relationship had ended despite continuing to live at the same address. This may include information about sleeping arrangements, finances, household responsibilities, social activities and how the separation was communicated to family or friends.
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Yes. You may apply by yourself through a sole divorce application. Your former spouse does not need to agree to the divorce, provided the legal requirements are satisfied.
However, the filed application must generally be formally served on your former spouse, and you cannot personally serve the documents yourself.
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A joint application is made by both spouses together. Both parties review and sign the application, and formal service is generally not required.
A sole application is made by one spouse. The other spouse becomes the respondent and must generally be served with the filed divorce documents.
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An overseas marriage may be recognised for the purpose of an Australian divorce, provided the relevant legal requirements are met.
You will generally need to provide your marriage certificate. If it is not in English, translation and supporting documentation may also be required.
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No. Divorce legally ends the marriage, but it does not determine:
how property, superannuation or debts will be divided;
where children will live;
how much time children will spend with each parent; or
whether spousal maintenance should be paid.
Those issues may need to be resolved separately through agreement, Consent Orders or Court proceedings.
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A married person generally has 12 months from the date the divorce order takes effect to commence Court proceedings for property or financial orders.
A person seeking spousal maintenance after divorce is generally subject to the same 12-month period. Permission from the Court may be required to apply after the deadline
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A person in a de facto relationship does not apply for divorce because divorce only applies to marriage. However, former de facto partners may still need to resolve parenting arrangements, property division, superannuation, debts and spousal maintenance after separation.
Eligible de facto partners can generally ask the Court to determine property and financial matters in a similar way to married couples. An application for de facto property or maintenance orders must generally be commenced within two years after the relationship ends. After that period, the Court’s permission may be required
Your Separation. A Clear Way Forward.
Whether you are considering separation, preparing a divorce application, separated under one roof or uncertain about the parenting and financial issues that follow, we are here to help you understand your options and move forward with clarity, confidence and a practical plan..