So you need a family lawyer: Here’s what you can expect
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There’s no other way to describe it: engaging a family lawyer can be an incredibly scary, overwhelming and emotional time.
Especially if you have no idea what you’re in for.
And with each case as complex and different as the people involved – whether you’re looking for de-facto relationship advice or seeking support for a separation – finding an expert guide you can trust to help through one of life’s most challenging transitions sounds almost impossible.
But that’s where Nicholls Anzani Family Lawyers comes in.
Established by Timothy Nicholls (an Accredited Specialist in Family Law) and Ana Anzani, the firm specialises in the resolution of complex family law matters and was created to bridge the gap between professional competence and superior client service – keeping their client needs front and centre.
We sat down with them to find out what a family lawyer actually does –and what you should expect when you walk through their door.
When might you need to engage a family lawyer?
There are lots of situations where you might need the advice of a family lawyer – and it’s not just when filing for divorce.
From assisting with parenting and children’s arrangements to property and financial settlements to family violence orders, restraining orders, financial agreements (or ‘pre-nups’), surrogacy and adoption and more, Timothy and Ana understand that every client has different needs.
“We operate in complexity. Whether complexity in relationships or law, we utilise our expertise to drive superior outcomes and lead our clients through adversity,” explains Timothy.
“The first and often the most difficult step is the initial phone call to make an appointment with a family lawyer. Whilst there is no perfect time to engage a family lawyer, it must be said that it is always preferable to engage a family lawyer as soon as possible to avoid mistakes or actions that prejudice better outcomes.”
What happens when you call?
“When clients contact us, they’ll initially speak to one of our dedicated and experienced legal assistants. Then they will speak to one of our senior lawyers. Think of this process as ‘triage’. Our senior lawyer will work with our client to assess their needs and any urgency involved, to then match them with the most suitable lawyer,” explains Ana.
“From there, we schedule the first initial conference at a time convenient for our client.”
Will advice be tailored to individual needs and circumstances?
Relationships (of any kind) aren’t easy – and if you’re contacting a family lawyer, it’s likely you’re going through a challenging time. But helping clients with discretion and sensitivity is something Ana and Timothy pride themselves on from the moment they take that first phone call.
“Our lawyers are dedicated to ensuring your first client meeting is as comfortable as possible,” says Ana.
“At the outset, our priority is to listen and understand. We want to make sure you feel heard and valued. Once we understand your situation, we provide you with tailored advice which is respectful to your situation and circumstances. It is important to us to ensure that a client leaves the first meeting feeling that they have taken the right step, feel empowered and supported to navigate the complexity of their separation.”
Taking their role as trauma-informed lawyers very seriously, Ana says that they pride themselves on their “ability to craft bespoke strategies with a tailored approach”. And of course, the client’s privacy is at the forefront of their practice.
“We are acutely aware that clients come to us during one of the most challenging times of their lives,” she says.
“Our clients appreciate our attention to detail and our commitment to providing proactive, commercial and practical advice. We strive to achieve excellence in everything that we do.”
What is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and when will I need one?
“Specialist Accreditation is a structured assessment program which enable lawyers to gain recognition as an expert in their chosen area of legal practice,” explains Timothy.
“This helps the general public and profession identify solicitors who have demonstrated expertise in a particular area of law.”
Sounds complex, right? In simple terms, an Accredited Specialist in Family Law is a lawyer who has demonstrated a high level of expertise and competence in family law through a rigorous accreditation process – and Timothy was noted as one of the highest performing candidates in the 2021 cohort sitting for Specialist Accreditation in Family Law.
“To be eligible to sit for accreditation there is a comprehensive admission criteria which includes that a lawyer must have engaged in the practice of law on a full-time basis for at least five years. The testing is rigorous and has historically involved a three-hour closed book exam and other take-home style assessments,” he explains.
With specialised knowledge, demonstrated expertise, practice skill and an accreditation from the Law Society, he says that clients can confidently approach him about any complex family law matters,
“Engaging an Accredited Specialist in Family Law should be a priority,” he says.
“ In doing so, you know you are retaining a lawyer with demonstrated skill and superior expertise in family law, trained and educated to the highest standards to achieve optimal outcomes in your family law matter.”
How can you choose the right path to family resolution?
For many people, the thought of their family law matter ending up in the courts only adds to the nerves of contacting a family lawyer, but according to Timothy and Ana, this isn’t always the case.
While clients need to be prepared for the possibility, they say there are different – and smarter – paths to family resolution. And they’ll make sure they lead you down the right one.
“We believe that knowledge is power. While the prospect of court proceedings can seem daunting, following the merger of the family law courts in 2021, the speed for which proceedings resolve and the costs involved, have significantly decreased,” says Timothy.
“Litigation is just one tool of many in our toolbox, to resolve a family law matter. Court is always the last option and should be considered as such.”
Ana says that guiding and advising clients on the process and what is involved, is the key to ensuring stress is minimised and ensures that clients can engage in the process with strength and conviction.
“We pride ourselves on our commitment to optimal outcomes for our clients and their families, and being a source of consistent support and reassurance,” she says.
Will you be treated as a person – not just a case number?
Bringing together a depth of experience and expertise, Ana and Timothy want families to know that they understand the complexities of human nature. They understand that separation is difficult, and relationships are inherently complex. Compassion and empathy guide their work, and they proactively seek out opportunities and nurture their clients’ understanding of the process, their rights and responsibilities.
“At the end of the day, we are all human beings who at some point have experienced difficulty in our personal lives. There is no shame in asking for help. If you break your leg and need surgery, you won’t hesitate to take the GP’s referral to see the orthopedic surgeon. The same can be said for family law. When familial issues arise, you need a specialist on your side to lead you through the process with a view to achieving optimal outcomes,” says Timothy.
“We understand how difficult it can be. Nothing could be more personal than a person’s financial security and the safety of their children. Our expertise and experience guide us and our empathy and compassion ground us. It is a privilege to do what we do,” says Ana.
Ready to take that first step? Visit nichollsanzani.com.au or call (02) 7259 4130 to chat with people who see you, not just your case file.
