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Legal guide · Victoria

Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce?

You can apply for a divorce yourself — but advice is worth it where there are children, property, or the other side won’t cooperate. We’ll tell you honestly what you need.

Do you need a lawyer?

The divorce application itself is administrative and many people lodge it without a lawyer. Where legal advice earns its keep is the property settlement and parenting arrangements — the parts with real financial and personal consequences.

When you should get advice

If there are children under 18, shared property or superannuation, a business, or your ex-partner won’t cooperate, get advice before you agree to anything.

Getting it right the first time

Informal agreements aren’t binding. We can turn an agreement into enforceable consent orders, or advise you before you sign anything the other side proposes.

How we help

Book a consult and we’ll tell you plainly whether you can handle it yourself or where you genuinely need us — no upselling.

Common questions

Good to know

Can I file for divorce without a lawyer?

Yes — the application is administrative. Advice matters most for property and parenting, which are separate and have lasting consequences.

Should I get a property agreement in writing?

Yes — an informal deal isn’t binding. We can formalise it as consent orders so it’s enforceable.

General information only — for advice about your situation, see more guides or book a consult with ORLA Legal.

Not sure where you stand? Ask us.

Speak with an experienced Victorian lawyer — book online, or call us 24/7.

The ORLA group · one team

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.