Separation is not just a legal event; it is a profound restructuring of your life, your finances, and your family’s future. In the wake of a relationship breakdown, you are faced with a whirlwind of decisions that feel both urgent and overwhelming. Where will the children live? How will we divide the family home? What happens to the business we built together?
At The Online Lawyer, we provide a steady, experienced hand to navigate these complexities. Led by Robert Mulley, a senior legal practitioner admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1979, our firm offers elite family law advocacy delivered with the convenience and discretion of a 100% online model. With over 45 years of experience, Robert has navigated the family law system through every major legislative shift, including the landmark reforms of 2024 and 2025.
We believe that your location should not limit your access to senior counsel. Whether you are in a capital city or a regional town, we provide the high-calibre strategic advice you need to move forward with confidence.
Navigating the “New” Family Law: The 2024 & 2025 Reforms
The Australian family law landscape has undergone its most significant transformation in decades. As of June 2025, the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 has fundamentally changed how property is divided and how domestic circumstances are assessed.
Robert Mulley’s seniority ensures that your strategy is perfectly aligned with these modern standards:
1. Family Violence in Property Settlements
For the first time in Australian history, the law now explicitly requires courts to consider the economic impact of family violence when dividing property. This moves beyond physical violence to include coercive control and economic abuse—such as sabotaging a partner’s employment, controlling all bank accounts, or incurring debts in a partner’s name. We ensure these factors are properly weighted to achieve a “just and equitable” outcome.
2. The New “Companion Animal” Laws
Under the 2025 reforms, pets are no longer treated as mere “chattels” like a toaster or a car. The court now recognizes companion animals as a special category. When deciding who keeps the family pet, the court considers attachments, the ability to care for the animal, and any history of abuse toward the pet. We help you protect your bond with your animals under this new framework.
3. Simplified Parenting Framework
The old, confusing terminology of “equal shared parental responsibility” has been replaced. The law now focuses squarely on the best interests of the child, with a streamlined list of factors for the court to consider. We help parents craft arrangements that prioritize safety and meaningful relationships without the clutter of outdated legal presumptions.
4. Senior-Level Counsel Without the “Marble Lobby” Fees
Traditional top-tier firms charge exorbitant rates to maintain expensive city offices and large support staffs. We have stripped away the overheads to provide you with direct, senior-level counsel at a more accessible price point. You are paying for Robert Mulley’s brain, not his office rent.
Our Family Law Practice Areas
We provide comprehensive support for every aspect of relationship breakdown, from initial separation to final court orders.
Property Settlements & Financial Division
Dividing assets is about more than just a 50/50 split. We provide senior-level analysis for:
- The Matrimonial Home: Navigating “buy-outs,” forced sales, and the impact of the 2025 stamp duty concessions.
- Superannuation Splitting: Ensuring your retirement future is protected through complex splitting orders.
- Business Interests: Valuing and protecting family businesses or professional practices.
- Inheritances and Initial Contributions: Strategically arguing for “extra weight” for assets you brought into the relationship.
Parenting Arrangements & Custody
We assist parents in creating stable, child-focused outcomes:
- Parenting Plans: Informal but written agreements that set the ground rules.
- Consent Orders: Formalizing your agreement through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) to make it legally binding.
- Relocation Applications: Representing parents who need to move for work or family support.
- Recovery Orders: Immediate action if a child has been taken or withheld without consent.
Divorce & De Facto Relationships
- Divorce Applications: Handling the administrative process of ending a marriage.
- De Facto Rights: Proving (or defending) the existence of a de facto relationship to secure property rights.
Spousal Maintenance
If one partner is financially disadvantaged by the separation, they may be entitled to ongoing support. We represent both applicants and respondents in maintenance claims, ensuring payments are fair and sustainable.
Why The Online Lawyer for Family Law?
Family law is deeply personal. Our online model offers unique advantages for clients during this difficult time:
Complete Discretion
Consult with a senior lawyer from the privacy of your home. No one sees you walking into a law office in your local community.
Direct Senior Access
You work directly with Robert Mulley. Your sensitive family matters are not delegated to a junior associate.
Digital Convenience
We use secure, encrypted portals for sensitive evidence, from text message logs to financial statements.
National Reach
We represent clients across the FCFCOA (all states except WA) and the Family Court of Western Australia.
What Our Clients Are Saying
I was facing a family law matter I had no idea how to navigate and could not take time away from work to visit a solicitor. Robert handled everything online and was incredibly thorough throughout the entire process.
Sarah M.
Family Law
