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.
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
EXCELLENT Based on 66 reviews Posted on Luke ThorpTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.Posted on Joan L.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.Posted on Rebecca MonforteTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My best friend has left her husband, and asked me to go with her to meet with a lawyer as her support person. I was expecting stiff & serious, intimidating and overwhelming. But the experience at Respect Legal, was the exact opposite. Respect by name, and by nature, it seems! From the warm welcome and cosy seating, it felt safe, secure and comfortable from the first step inside the light & bright office in Bentleigh. The initial consultation with Dani was so helpful, so heartfelt, and so empathetic. The way this woman knows the system, and puts kids & families' welfare before making her firm money is commendable. My friend has now reached an amicable separation with her ex, custody and property sorted, and healing phase is underway. I wanted to share this experience in case someone needs to see it, to know there's light at the end of the tunnel and the women at the all-female Family Law firm will support you every step of the way. They're just so lovely. Highly recommend xPosted on Steve RoseTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sarah was wonderful to work with. She was always caring, understanding, respectful and interested in achieving a win/win as per my wishes. Will definitely use the team again if needed.Posted on Thida SonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional and understanding group of people. Thank you Mei for all your help and support!Posted on AliTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I wholeheartedly endorse Mei for her exceptional legal skills and unwavering professionalism. Her in-depth knowledge of the law and strategic advice provided me with clarity and confidence throughout my case. She had a remarkable ability to simplify complex legal matters, ensuring I fully understood every step of the process. Mei kept me consistently informed, addressed all my concerns with patience, and responded to my inquiries promptly and efficiently. What truly sets Mei apart is her compassionate approach. She not only provided outstanding legal guidance but also showed genuine care for my well-being. Her empathy and emotional support eased much of the stress I faced, making a challenging situation far more manageable. I am deeply grateful for her dedication and highly recommend Mei to anyone in need of legal assistance.Posted on Michal SzalinskiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently engaged Respect Legal (and specifically Knarik Ovakimian) to manage a family matter and cannot speak more highly of Knarik's expertise, attention to detail and professionalism. It was super important to me to deal with my situation in a respectful manner and to make sure everything worked out as best as can be. Knarik delivered exactly that and, while expensive, I am very confident and happy with the result. Best investment into my future and I highly recommend Knarik to anyone facing family law issues.Posted on Kash raiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently had the pleasure of working with Mei Ngo from Respect Legal Firm, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From the very first consultation, Mei demonstrated exceptional professionalism and a deep understanding of the law. She took the time to listen to my concerns and provided clear, thoughtful guidance every step of the way. Thanks to her expertise, I was able to navigate my legal situation without an intervention order being put in place. Mei's strategic approach and dedication made all the difference, and I felt supported throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Respect Legal Firm and Mei Ngo to anyone in need of legal assistance. Their commitment to their clients is truly commendable, and I am grateful for the positive outcome we achieved together. Thank you, Mei!Posted on Brendan GattTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mei has helped me through a couple of family matters now, she has been amazing, not only did she get the results I hoped for, but she also managed to make me feel safe and comfortable through one of the scariest and most uncomfortable situations I have been through. I highly recommend respect legal and highly recommend Mei if you find yourself in unfortunate circumstances.