People

Michael Oliver

Family Lawyer

Michael is a lawyer in the Sydney office of Lander & Rogers' family & relationship law team. He was admitted to practice in 2023 after completing the firm's graduate program and has been practising exclusively in family law since the beginning of 2024.

Prior to joining Lander & Rogers, Michael worked as a paralegal in family & relationship law at both Waratah Chambers and another prominent family law firm.

Michael has experience across all areas of family law, with a particular interest in complex parenting matters and asset protection.

Michael is committed to providing timely, commercial advice, in a manner that is easy to understand so his clients feel empowered throughout their family law journey. He works closely with his clients to ensure their needs and priorities are met, and tailors his advice accordingly. Wherever possible, Michael endeavours to reach an early resolution of his clients' family law issues through negotiated outcomes such as conferences and mediations.

Experience

Michael's expertise includes:

  • complex and straightforward de facto and matrimonial property matters
  • parenting matters including those involving domestic violence and risk issues
  • binding financial agreements for the purposes of asset protection, including agreements entered into prior to, during and after a relationship
  • child support matters
  • spousal maintenance matters
  • advising on, and responding to, applications for family violence orders
  • divorce applications.

Career highlights

Michael's career highlights include:

  • successfully running an ex-parte interim hearing obtaining orders for the immediate return of a newborn child to its mother
  • successfully obtaining orders preventing a father from relocating a young child interstate in circumstances where the mother had sustained a major injury causing quadriplegia. The decision ensured that the client was able to maintain her relationship with her young child.

FAQs

What will be the process for my case?

While no two matters are the same, your matter will likely proceed in the following five phases.

  1. First steps: This is where we get to know you and understand your circumstances, needs and priorities.
  2. Dispute resolution: We are committed to providing a quick and cost-effective solution, which is often achieved through negotiation strategies.
  3. Pre-action procedures: If your matter proceeds to court, there are court mandated pre-action procedures you will be required to follow.
  4. Preparation for court: This includes preparing and filing relevant documents with the court. These documents will explain your circumstances and set out the orders you seek. They will vary depending on whether you are applying for financial orders, or parenting orders.
  5. Implementation: The final hearing results in one of two outcomes - you and the other party reach an agreement while at the court, which is documented in consent orders; or a judgment (decision of the court) is delivered.

For a more detailed summary please see our guide to the Family Law Journey.

What documents or information do I need to provide?

Family law is a "cards on the table" jurisdiction, which means that you have a duty to disclose all relevant documents in your matter. Whilst this may be daunting, we will assist you with collating the relevant documents to ensure that you are not overwhelmed by the process.

View more commonly-asked questions about the legal aspects of family and relationship law in Australia here.