Respect Legal – Family Lawyers Melbourne

A Family Law Firm Built on Respect, Kindness & Compassion

We’re Here to Disrupt Traditional Ways of Practicing Family Law

Respect Legal is here to disrupt traditional approaches to family law through our respectful approach to dispute resolution. We focus on outcomes that strengthen families, rather than tear them apart.

Our team of highly skilled family lawyers are leaders in their field who provide expert advice and guidance through complex legal processes so you can achieve an outcome that works best for you and your family.

Navigating Separation & Divorce

Personalised Legal Advice Before Separation

Your journey begins with a confidential consultation. We take time to understand your situation including parenting, property, and any safety concerns. We’ll then discuss clear options and advice to help you.

Calm and Constructive Family Law Negotiation

We guide you through your best pathway to resolution, including:

Mediation (with or without lawyers)
Lawyer-assisted negotiation
Round table conferences
Family Court representation (only when necessary)

Our goal is always to resolve matters respectfully and with as little conflict as possible.

Finalising Binding
Family Law Agreements

Once agreements are reached, we prepare the legal documents that make them official:

Consent Orders (parenting and property)
Parenting Plans
Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs)
Child Support Agreements (binding or limited)

Flexible Legal Financing for Family Law Matters

We have partnered with JustFund to offer a practical and compassionate legal financing option for clients who need support managing the cost of family law matters. Through this partnership, eligible clients may access a flexible line of credit to assist with legal fees and related expenses, with no repayments required until after a settlement is reached.

Unlike traditional lenders, JustFund does not assess income or credit scores when considering funding for family law matters. This flexible approach can be life-changing—particularly for clients who are financially dependent on a partner, experiencing family violence, or navigating a complex separation without immediate access to funds.

By introducing legal finance early in the process, we aim to ensure that access to high-quality legal representation is not limited by financial circumstances

Who is JustFund?

JustFund is Australia’s first and only dedicated family law finance provider, working in partnership with leading family law firms to make legal representation more accessible—especially for those facing financial hardship.

When managing daily living expenses, mortgage commitments, or financial dependence on a partner, the cost of legal services can feel overwhelming. JustFund helps remove this barrier by offering a flexible, case-specific line of credit tailored to family law property matters.

Funding can be accessed at any stage of the separation process and is repaid only once your settlement is finalised. By simplifying access to legal finance, JustFund empowers clients to move forward with confidence, dignity, and support—when they need it most.

Who is Eligible for Funding?

JustFund funding is available only for property settlement matters. Unfortunately, funding cannot be provided for cases that involve parenting arrangements alone. However, if you are dealing with property and parenting matters concurrently, JustFund may be able to assist with the property component of your case.

For more information about legal funding options, please contact our office or visit justfund.com.au.

Meet Our Team

EXCELLENT

Based on 72 reviews

Alii

Mei and team have been super amazing and helpful with my recent family law matter arriving at an outcome I am happy with. Mei has been nothing but super responsive, thorough, knows her legal stuff and always looking out for your best interests. I am glad to have been recommended to Mei. Her team has also been so caring and understanding. In going through one of the biggest challenges of one's life with separation and divorce, you need a team like Mei's in your corner. Thank you for all your wonderful support, Mei and everyone at Respect Legal.

Helen

I used Mei for my family law matter and I felt like she went above and beyond for me. The advice she has given me over the time I have known her has been tremendously helpful during an extremely stressful time. Thanks Mei (and Isabelle and Robyn) for all of your help.

Colleen Mary

In dealing with Respect Legal, I found them to be very friendly, supportive and gave me a feeling of trust. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Sophie Vogiatjis

I highly recommend the lovely Sarah Tuckerman lawyer from Respect Legal. Nothing was to hard for her and I can assure you we had many massive obstacles . Her empathy kindness but also her assertiveness when needed for the job . It’s been a time in my life that hard core decisions has to be made and Sarah was able to make it clearer and understanding . I would chose Sarah anytime because her people skills are outstanding . I was not a number I was treated as Sophie with so much respect A very heartfelt thank you beautiful Sarah for everything and also the team at Reslect Legal were all amazing. Sophie xx

martinprosia

We have had an exceptional journey and outcome on our matter with the team at Respect Legal. They provided great advice and really listened to ensure that our concerns were heard, and they always explained every detail of the process to us. Mei and the team worked hard to get an amazing outcome for us, and we could not have been happier. Thank you

Tulip Banerjee

I’ve really appreciated the way the team has handled my matter so far. Robyn has been very patient, responsive, and always willing to explain things clearly, which has made me feel supported and reassured throughout the process. The professionalism and care have given me a lot of confidence in the way my case is being managed.

Anonymous

I would highly recommend the team at Respect Legal. From the initial meeting, their warm and approachable manner immediately put me at ease. Mei has been exceptionally responsive, often going above and beyond, which has given me a real sense of support during an otherwise very stressful time. The quality of their work, paired with their depth of knowledge and experience, has been excellent. Although my matter is still ongoing, the process so far has been handled with care and professionalism. This has been a stark contrast to my previous experience with another firm, where I often felt unsupported at the most crucial moments and left to navigate issues on my own. Thank you to the team at Respect Legal for your support and commitment. 🙏

Zoe Rich

As a mum separating with two young boys, I came to Respect Legal overwhelmed and worried that going down the "legal path" would damage the good relationship I still have with my ex. Dani not only left me calmer and more in control, but also showed me how separation can be handled without unnecessary friction. Sitting in Dani's office on a comfy couch felt more like talking to a friend than a lawyer. She is the real deal: compassionate, strategic and respectful. If you're after a bulldog approach, this firm isn't for you.... But if you want to protect your future, your childrens's wellbeing and your co-parenting relationship, I couldn't recommend Respect Legal - and Dani Zetzer - more highly! xx

Luke Thorp

I cannot speak highly enough of Respect. Nadya is an amazing and compassionate lawyer. She listens with respect, offers advice with respect and acts with respect. Look no further for your legal needs. Respect really lives up to its name. They were able to support and guide me through a really challenging time and the outcome was more than satisfactory. Thanks to Respect I can now move on with my life.

Joan L.

Sarah and her dedicated team at Respect Legal provided me with exceptional professional advice, outstanding client communication and an abundance of empathy, whilst successfully resolving my recent Property and Financial Settlement. Sarah's gentleness and care shone through during this difficult time, leaving no stone unturned in order to swiftly finalise my case. My heartfelt thanks to Sarah, Madeline, Dani and Associates. I highly recommend Respect Legal for the vital and authentic role they play in their advocacy of Family Law matters.

When You're Ready to Talk, We're Ready to Listen

Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to speak directly with a family lawyer — we’re here for you. Choose the path that feels right for you today:

Free 15-Minute Phone Chat

A relaxed, obligation-free first step to help you gain clarity.

✓ Confidential
✓ Speak with one of our experienced team members
✓ No pressure, no commitment
✓ Perfect if you’re unsure where to start or want to understand how we work before taking the next step