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Free legal guides · Victoria

Legal answers for Victorians

Plain-English guides from ORLA Legal on the questions we’re asked most — what the law says, what it costs, and the steps involved. When you’re ready, book a fixed-fee consult with an experienced Victorian lawyer.

Family & divorce
How much does a divorce cost in Victoria?

What a divorce and separation really costs in Victoria, and how ORLA Legal keeps it clear with fixed-fee advice. Book a consult today.

How long does a divorce take in Victoria?

The 12-month separation rule and how long a divorce takes in Victoria, explained by ORLA Legal. Book a fixed-fee consult.

Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce?

When you need a lawyer for a divorce in Victoria — and when advice is worth it even if you file yourself. ORLA Legal explains.

What is a binding financial agreement (prenup)?

What a binding financial agreement (prenup) is in Australia, when it’s worth having, and the strict rules to make it valid. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

How does family mediation work?

How family dispute resolution (mediation) works in Australia, when it’s required before court, and the section 60I certificate. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

What is a consent order in family law?

What a consent order is in Australian family law, how it makes an agreement binding for parenting or property, and how ORLA Legal prepares one. Book a consult.

How is property divided after separation in Australia?

How property is divided after separation in Australia — the four-step approach, what counts, and superannuation. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

How do child custody and parenting arrangements work?

How parenting arrangements work in Australia — the child’s best interests, parental responsibility, and reaching agreement. ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

What is spousal maintenance?

What spousal (partner) maintenance is in Australia, when it applies, and how it’s worked out. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Wills & estates
How much does a will cost in Victoria?

What a professionally drafted will costs in Victoria, and why a fixed-fee will beats a risky DIY kit. Book with ORLA Legal.

What is probate and how does it work in Victoria?

What probate is, when it’s needed and how ORLA Legal helps executors administer an estate in Victoria. Book a consult.

How do I contest a will in Victoria?

Who can contest a will in Victoria, the family provision claim and strict time limits — explained by ORLA Legal. Book a consult.

What happens if you die without a will in Victoria?

What happens if you die without a will in Victoria — the intestacy rules, who inherits, and why a will matters. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

What is a power of attorney in Victoria?

What a power of attorney is in Victoria — enduring vs general, financial vs personal, and why it protects you. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

What does an executor do in Victoria?

What an executor does in Victoria — the main duties, applying for probate, paying debts and distributing an estate. ORLA Legal guides executors. Book a consult.

What happens to debt when someone dies in Victoria?

What happens to debts when someone dies in Victoria — the estate pays, whether family is liable, and insolvent estates. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Property & conveyancing
Do I need a lawyer to buy a house in Victoria?

Whether you need a lawyer to buy property in Victoria, the Section 32 and contract review — and how ORLA Legal protects buyers. Book a consult.

How much is stamp duty when buying a house in Victoria?

How land transfer (stamp) duty works in Victoria, concessions for first home buyers, and when it’s paid. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Do I need a lawyer to sell my house in Victoria?

Whether you need a lawyer to sell a house in Victoria, the Section 32 vendor statement, and how ORLA Legal protects sellers. Book a consult.

How long does conveyancing take in Victoria?

How long conveyancing takes in Victoria — the typical settlement period, what can delay it, and how ORLA Legal keeps it on track. Book a consult.

What is a caveat on a property title in Victoria?

What a caveat on a property title is in Victoria, when it can be lodged, and how it affects a sale. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Criminal & traffic
What happens at your first criminal court date in Victoria?

What to expect at your first criminal court date (mention) in Victoria, and how ORLA Legal prepares you. Advice before you attend — book now.

Do I need a lawyer for a drink driving charge in Victoria?

When a lawyer is worth it for a drink-driving charge in Victoria, licence loss and interlock — explained by ORLA Legal. Book a consult.

How do I get my licence back after a suspension in Victoria?

Getting your licence back in Victoria after a suspension — automatic vs conditional, interlock, and appeals. ORLA Legal can help. Book a consult.

How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Victoria?

What a criminal lawyer costs in Victoria — plea vs contested, fixed fees, and legal aid. ORLA Legal explains, with fixed-fee consults. Book now.

What is a community corrections order in Victoria?

What a community corrections order is in Victoria — how it works as a sentence, conditions, and breaches. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

How does bail work in Victoria?

How bail works in Victoria — how it’s decided, conditions, and what happens if it’s refused. ORLA Legal can help urgently. Book a consult.

What are my rights if I’m arrested in Victoria?

Your rights if arrested in Victoria — the right to silence, the right to a lawyer, and what to do before answering police. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

What is criminal diversion in Victoria?

What the criminal diversion program is in Victoria — how it lets you avoid a criminal record, eligibility, and conditions. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Do I need a lawyer for a speeding fine in Victoria?

When you need a lawyer for a speeding fine or demerit points in Victoria, and when it’s worth contesting. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Accidents & injury
What should I do after a car accident in Victoria?

A practical checklist for after a car accident in Victoria — safety, details, reporting, and your TAC claim. ORLA Legal helps injured people. Book a consult.

How does a TAC claim work in Victoria?

How a TAC claim works after a road accident in Victoria — what it covers, time limits, and how ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

How does a WorkCover claim work in Victoria?

How a WorkCover claim works in Victoria — what it covers, how to lodge, and time limits. ORLA Legal helps injured workers. Book a consult.

Employment
What is unfair dismissal and can I claim?

What unfair dismissal means, the strict 21-day deadline to apply to the Fair Work Commission, and how ORLA Legal can help. Book a consult.

Am I entitled to redundancy pay?

When you’re entitled to redundancy pay in Australia, genuine redundancy and small-business rules — explained by ORLA Legal. Book a consult.

What can I do if my employer hasn’t paid me?

What to do if your employer hasn’t paid your wages or entitlements in Australia — the Fair Work path and recovering underpayments. ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

Debt & disputes
How do I recover unpaid invoices in Victoria?

How to recover an unpaid invoice in Victoria — letter of demand, court claim, interest and enforcement. ORLA Legal acts for businesses. Book a consult.

What is a letter of demand?

What a letter of demand is, what to include, and what happens if it’s ignored — explained by ORLA Legal. Book a consult.

What happens when you go bankrupt in Australia?

What bankruptcy means in Australia — how it works, what you keep, how long it lasts, and the alternatives. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Do I need a lawyer for VCAT in Victoria?

Whether you need a lawyer at VCAT in Victoria, when permission is required, and when legal help is worth it. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Immigration
How does a partner visa work in Australia?

How a partner visa works in Australia — eligibility, the two-stage process and proving a genuine relationship. ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

How much does a visa application cost in Australia?

What a visa application costs in Australia — the government charge plus professional and other fees, explained by ORLA Legal. Book a consult.

How do I appeal a visa refusal in Australia?

What to do if your visa is refused or cancelled in Australia — review rights, strict deadlines, and how ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult quickly.

Can I work on a student visa in Australia?

Whether you can work on a student visa in Australia, the work-hour limits and conditions, and what to do if there’s a problem. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

What is a bridging visa in Australia?

What a bridging visa is in Australia, how it keeps you lawful between visas, work and travel rights, and the common types. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Building & construction
What can I do about defective building work in Victoria?

What to do about defective or incomplete building work in Victoria — the builder, DBDRV, VCAT and insurance. ORLA Legal acts for owners. Book a consult.

Family violence
How do I apply for an intervention order in Victoria?

How to apply for a family violence intervention order (FVIO) in Victoria, who can apply, and where to get help and support. ORLA Legal can guide you.

Business & commercial
How do I sell a business in Victoria?

How to sell a business in Victoria — the sale contract, due diligence, the lease, staff and restraint clauses. ORLA Legal acts on business sales. Book a consult.

What should I know before signing a commercial lease in Victoria?

What to check before signing a commercial or retail lease in Victoria — term, rent reviews, outgoings, make-good and disclosure. ORLA Legal reviews leases. Book a consult.

What is a statutory demand and how do I respond?

What a statutory demand is, the strict 21-day deadline to respond, and how ORLA Legal helps companies. Act fast — book a consult.

Do I need a shareholders agreement?

What a shareholders agreement is, why it matters when you go into business with others, and what it should cover. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Consumer & product
What are my rights under Australian Consumer Law?

Your rights under Australian Consumer Law — consumer guarantees, refunds, repairs and replacements for faulty products. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Defamation & reputation
What can I do about defamation in Victoria?

What to do if someone has defamed you in Victoria — what defamation is, the concerns notice, time limits, and how ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

Elder law & aged care
What is elder law and how can it help in Victoria?

What elder law covers in Victoria — powers of attorney, wills, aged care agreements and elder abuse protection. ORLA Legal helps older Victorians. Book a consult.

IP & trade marks
How do I register a trade mark in Australia?

How to register a trade mark in Australia — what it protects, the IP Australia process, and why to search first. ORLA Legal helps businesses. Book a consult.

Medical negligence
What is medical negligence and can I claim in Victoria?

What medical negligence means in Victoria, what a claim involves, and why expert evidence and time limits matter. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

EPA & council defence
What can I do if I get an EPA notice in Victoria?

What to do if you receive an EPA notice in Victoria — clean-up and pollution notices, deadlines, and defending prosecutions. ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

How do I dispute a council fine in Victoria?

How to dispute a council fine or infringement in Victoria — review, court election, and deadlines. ORLA Legal explains. Book a consult.

Dog & animal law
What happens if my dog is declared dangerous in Victoria?

What a dangerous or menacing dog declaration means in Victoria, the strict conditions, and how to challenge it. ORLA Legal helps owners. Book a consult.

Tax
How do I object to a tax assessment in Australia?

How to object to an ATO or State Revenue Office tax assessment, the strict time limits, and review options. ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

Solicitor’s certificate
What is a solicitor’s certificate and do I need one?

What a solicitor’s certificate (independent legal advice) is, when a bank requires one for a guarantee or mortgage, and how ORLA Legal helps. Book a consult.

Have a question about your situation?

Book a fixed-fee consult and get clear, personal advice from ORLA Legal.

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Buying, selling or refinancing? We handle the whole move.

ORLA Legal works hand-in-glove with our sister services, so your loan, your conveyancing and your property search are coordinated by one team — all the way to settlement.