Pearsons Lawyers

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Pearsons Lawyers As dedicated family lawyers, Pearsons provides specialist advice with fewer complications & clearer outcomes.

From separation & divorce to parenting & property matters, we support families at 17 locations across Melbourne & Victoria. At Pearsons Family Lawyers, we understand that navigating family law issues can be one of life's most challenging experiences. That's why we're dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of legal expertise and personalised attention. Our experienced practitioners have a proven track record of success in negotiations and litigation, and we're proud to be one of Melbourne's leading specialist Family Law practices. Our deep understanding of Divorce, Separation, Children's issues, Financial Settlement, Spousal Support, Same-Sex Relationships, De Facto Relationships, and Child Support allows us to provide fair and equitable outcomes for our clients. Our client-focused approach means we prioritise your needs and tailor our services to meet your unique situation. We invest in our staff's professional development, providing training, mentorship, and flexible working conditions to ensure we continue to provide the highest level of service. As active members of The Law Institute of Victoria and the Family Law Section of the Family Law Council of Australia, we are dedicated to remaining at the forefront of our field. We are also proud supporters of social enterprise projects and charitable enterprises, including Beyond Blue and Fitted for Work. Since 1922 we have been focused on providing the best possible outcomes for our clients. Choose Pearsons Family Lawyers for your family law needs and experience the difference a client-focused approach can make.

16/10/2026

Want to keep your pet after you separate? Start collecting your evidence now, before it ever becomes an issue.

If pet custody ends up contested, here are five things the court will look at:

1. Primary care evidence. Who feeds the animal every day, who walks them, who lets them out in the morning and puts them to bed at night?

2. If you can show you have been the day to day carer, that carries weight.
Veterinary records. Whose name is on the vet file, who booked the appointments, who paid the bills? Vet records are some of the strongest evidence of ongoing care and responsibility.

3. Registration and microchip details. Whose name is on the council registration, and whose details are linked to the microchip? These formal records carry serious weight.

4. Financial records. Who paid for food, insurance, grooming, training and boarding, and who paid for the pet in the first place? Bank statements and receipts showing a consistent pattern of financial responsibility help establish who has been the primary provider.

5. Photographs and documentation. Photos and videos with your pet over time, social media posts, even messages between you and your partner about the pet's care. This paints a picture of who has the stronger bond and who has been more involved.

The more evidence you gather now, the stronger your position will be if pet custody becomes a contested issue in your separation.

To learn more, book your obligation free 30 minute appointment at pearsonslawyers.com.au

On the 1st October 2026, Leanne Abela, Partner at Pearsons Lawyers was awarded the “Distinguished Service Award” by the ...
06/10/2026

On the 1st October 2026, Leanne Abela, Partner at Pearsons Lawyers was awarded the “Distinguished Service Award” by the Law Institute of Victoria.

This is one of the Law Institute of Victoria’s most prestigious awards. The Law Institute of Victoria recognises individuals who have rendered significant and distinguished service of a high degree to the legal profession over an extended period of time, by granting this award.

Congratulations to Leanne Abela, Partner at Pearsons for her 40 years’ in the legal profession and the contributions she has made to providing excellent client services, mentoring many junior solicitors and her philanthropic work raising funds for various charities over the decades.

18/08/2026

Think you are only in a de facto relationship if you have lived together for two years? It is one of the most common misconceptions in family law, and relying on it can leave you exposed.

Yes, two years of living together is one of the gateway criteria under Section 90SB of the Family Law Act. But it is not the only way in. There are three key exceptions that can bypass the two year requirement entirely:

1. There is a child of the relationship. If you have a child together, the two year rule does not apply, and a property claim can be brought regardless of how long you lived together.

2. The relationship is registered. Very few people do this, but if you have registered your relationship with a state or territory registry, the two year threshold falls away.

3. One party has made substantial contributions. If someone has made significant financial or non financial contributions and failing to make an order would result in a serious injustice, the court can hear the matter even if the relationship was under two years.

The takeaway is that the two year rule is not a shield. De facto matters are a complex area of law and take up a lot of court time, often because one person insists they were never de facto while the other says they were.

If you are living with someone and have not had a conversation about protecting your assets, you could be exposed without realising it. Get advice on whether you are in a de facto relationship, and consider a binding financial agreement (often called a prenup), before or during the relationship, as a way to protect yourself.

Book your free 30 minute appointment at pearsonslawyers.com.au

We are so excited and proud to announce that we have moved around the corner, next door to the Family Court, to Level 10...
11/08/2026

We are so excited and proud to announce that we have moved around the corner, next door to the Family Court, to Level 10, 469 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Our new office is bright and sparkly and creates a fantastic environment for all of our staff to work in and for our clients to visit.

We look forward to welcoming our clients and members of the profession to our new space.

Pearsons were privileged to sponsor the annual CPA Eastern Suburbs Tax Discussion Group conference held at the RACV Yarr...
10/08/2026

Pearsons were privileged to sponsor the annual CPA Eastern Suburbs Tax Discussion Group conference held at the RACV Yarra Valley.

All of the Partners and solicitors at Pearsons Lawyers pride themselves on their financial literacy, and, maintaining an understanding of all of the financial and tax changes that directly impact on our client’s family law matters.

Remaining up – to – date and networking with knowledgeable accountants, auditors and financial advisors, is important in maintaining that knowledge and continuing to educate ourselves.

It was our pleasure to sponsor the event and a privilege for Leanne Abela to be on the organising committee.

Great learning and great fun was had by all.

27/07/2026

You receive an inheritance late in a long marriage, then you separate. Is it safe? Is it yours?

It is one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is: it depends. In Australia, an inheritance is considered part of the property pool, which means it can be taken into account when the court divides assets. But the court does not simply throw everything in together, and it is not automatically split down the middle.

The court looks at the circumstances. When was the inheritance received, early in the relationship or right before separation? And what happened to it? Was it mingled with shared assets and spent, or was it kept in a separate account and quarantined?

An inheritance received in the final years of a long marriage, kept separate and clearly identifiable, is more likely to be treated favourably for the person who received it. But there are no guarantees. Every case turns on its own facts.

If you have received an inheritance and you are going through a separation, get specific advice about your situation from an experienced family lawyer rather than relying on general information that may be inaccurate.

Book your free 30 minute appointment at pearsonslawyers.com.au

Western Suburbs Legal Association Wills and Estates Symposium.The wills and estate team of solicitors at Pearsons attend...
27/07/2026

Western Suburbs Legal Association Wills and Estates Symposium.

The wills and estate team of solicitors at Pearsons attended a half – day Wills and Estates Symposium as an opportunity to sharpen our Wills and Estates skills in the areas of:

• Informal Wills and the new Probate practice note – Barrister Elefteria Konstantinou;
• Testamentary capacity and medical assessments – Dr Rajiv Siotia, psychiatrist;
• Superannuation – Death Benefits and Tax Outcomes – Nicola Beswick, Financial Advisor;
• Common Categories of Applicants when Testator Family Maintenance Claims – Barrister Dan Coombes;
• Current Trends in Estates and Will Disputes – Barrister/Mediator Adam Craig.

Altogether great event - great learning experience and networking opportunities.

Thankyou to Western Suburbs Legal Association for hosting the event at the Reggio Calabria Club.

07/07/2026

What actually makes a good parenting plan? It is not a maths problem.

A lot of parents walk into a parenting negotiation thinking it is all about dividing time equally, down to the fraction. But the court does not look at it that way, and neither should you. Children are not an asset to be split.

A parenting plan that works starts with the child. Where do they go to school? What does their week look like? What are their medical needs, their activities, their friendship groups? From there you build around them: which parent lives closest to school, who has the flexibility for pickups and drop offs, who has historically been the primary carer, and what a realistic routine looks like for the child going forward.

The best plans also build in flexibility. What works for a four year old will not necessarily work for a twelve year old, so review points and adjustment mechanisms let the arrangement evolve as your children grow.

And here is something a lot of people do not realise: you do not have to go to court. If both parents agree, you can formalise things through a parenting plan or a consent order without ever stepping into a courtroom. The key difference is that a parenting plan is not enforceable, while a consent order approved by the court is. Which one suits you depends on your situation.

The goal is always the same: an arrangement that serves your child's best interests and gives everyone clarity, certainty and predictability.

Book your free 30 minute appointment at pearsonslawyers.com.au

Women Chiefs of Enterprises International, in collaboration with Leanne Abela of Pearsons Lawyers, were fortunate enough...
02/07/2026

Women Chiefs of Enterprises International, in collaboration with Leanne Abela of Pearsons Lawyers, were fortunate enough to have a private lecture on the background content of the amazing Cartier Exhibition by David Menzies in the Education Department of the NGV on Wednesday the 17th June 2026.

The informative lecture highlighted the amazing history behind the Cartier family, the development of their skill base and entrepreneurial and marketing skills. The exhibition itself is immense with various categories covering different designs specific to various cultures and countries. Definitely worth a visit, and, I would say, definitely worth more than one visit.

Leanne Abela and Amanda Vella, Partners at Pearsons Lawyers were privileged to listen to Naomi Simson speak from the hea...
02/07/2026

Leanne Abela and Amanda Vella, Partners at Pearsons Lawyers were privileged to listen to Naomi Simson speak from the heart about her journey from an employee to establishing and owning one of the most successful businesses in Australia, ‘Red Balloon’. She was generous with her time and information, sharing the journey through the failures and triumphs of being an entrepreneur and establishing her business, as well as the way in which she scaled up her client engagement through sheer determination, hard work, plenty of hours, and how she celebrates her successes. Thoroughly engaging and great lessons to be learned.

Address

Level 10B, 469 La Trobe Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300699688

Website

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