OUR PHILOSOPHY
We understand that family law issues are very personal and can be very emotional and that it is important to provide advice and assistance which is professional but also supportive and practical. We are concerned that too many family law firms and lawyers are perceived as focusing on their own monetary compensation ahead of their clients needs. By simplifying our practices and limiting ourselves to servicing a smaller number of exclusive family law clients we strive to provide a service that most firms do not.
We do this work because we care about your families and your children, not for any other reason and we consider that to be the difference between us and other family law firms and lawyers.
At McGowan Family Law we are dedicated to providing a very high level of professional but personalised service and to achieving the best possible outcome in your matter. We are proficient in communicating with clients and ensuring that clients understand their rights and entitlements and how to resolve their post separation issues.
Many of our clients tell us of experiences with lawyers who provide advice in a complicated and legalistic manner and this is overwhelming to them.
At McGowan Family Law we will ensure that you understand our advice, the options available to you and the costs that you can expect at certain stages of your matter.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US
At your first conference we will discuss with you the avenues that are open to you and how we consider you should proceed. You will be advised whether you have an obligation to attend mediation and whether mediation could benefit you, whether it would be prudent to negotiate a settlement or whether it is necessary to commence Court proceedings. Throughout your matter you can be assured that we will continually review whether the strategy employed is productive or whether other approaches should be adopted.
With our experienced advice, guidance and representation many of our clients are able to achieve timely property settlements through a mediation or negotiation process and are able to avoid the expense, delay and stress of Court proceedings. In such cases we will prepare Consent Orders to protect your position and ensure the agreement is “legal”.
Some cases cannot be settled (e.g. where there is a spouse who refuses to negotiate on reasonable terms) and it becomes necessary to initiate court proceedings in order to promote our client’s best interests. You will have the benefit of the firm’s sound knowledge and experience in knowing when to litigate in Court and knowing when to settle. We work with a number of highly experienced Barristers who may be engaged throughout your matter to represent you at Court. Where we engage the services of a Barrister we will match the Barrister’s skills and personality to your particular needs and personality.
Throughout your matter we will discuss with you the most appropriate means to resolving your issues and this may mean that you should explore alternatives to litigation. Our emphasis is on achieving cost effective resolutions that are in your best interests; we do not want you to be involved in the legal process longer than you are required to be.
McGowan Family Law has vast experience having successfully conducted court cases in the Federal Magistrates’ Court, Family Court of Australia, Victorian County Court and Supreme Court.
Whether your case involves a ten million dollar business or a suburban house, and whether you live in Australia or overseas, rest assured that we know how to deal with your matter in the best possible way and obtain the best possible result for you.
We have been involved on a voluntary capacity in many professional and community based groups related to family law which broadens our awareness and understanding of the complex issues involved in the separation process. We regularly attend seminars and conferences and are always abreast of changes in case law, legislation, regulations, Court procedures and rules and we maintain professional software; these all combine to result in a better service to you.