Family Law | Property Settlement, Rockingham & Jurien Bay, Western AustraliaYou deserve to know exactly where you stand.
Honest advice, fair outcomes, and a lawyer who understands every asset in the pool, including the ones other lawyers miss.
What is property settlement?
When a marriage or de facto relationship ends, everything owned and owed by both parties needs to be divided. That's property settlement, the legal process of working out who gets what, documenting it properly, and making it binding through the court.
It covers everything: the family home, investment properties, superannuation, cash, shares, vehicles, boats, caravans, business interests, and yes, cryptocurrency.
What goes into the property pool?
Every asset and liability is considered, not just the obvious ones.
At Saltwater Legal, that includes:
One lawyer across your matter, start to finish
Complete transparency on fees with no surprises
Calls and emails responded to promptly
Advice in plain English
Regular updates without having to chase
A note on cryptocurrency
Michelle has been involved in cryptocurrency since 2017. She understands how it's bought, stored, and traced, the transaction history, the exchanges and the language.
In property settlement, crypto is one of the most commonly misunderstood or overlooked asset classes. With Michelle, it won't be missed.
ONE LAWYER, START TO FINISH
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ONE WHO ACTUALLY PICKS UP THE PHONE
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SALTWATER LEGAL
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PLAIN ENGLISH
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PROPER LAW
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ONE LAWYER, START TO FINISH • ONE WHO ACTUALLY PICKS UP THE PHONE • SALTWATER LEGAL • PLAIN ENGLISH • PROPER LAW •
What clients worry about most
Losing the family home.
It's the most common fear. Michelle's approach is to give you an honest picture of how the law actually works early, clearly, and without sugar-coating. Both parties are subject to the same rules, and knowing that upfront puts you in a much stronger position.
The other party getting more than they deserve.
The law assesses each party's contributions, financial and non-financial. Raising children, managing the household, supporting a partner's career, and these count. Michelle will make sure the full picture is on the table.
Costs spiralling out of control.
Property settlement starts at $5,500. The complexity of your matter will determine the final cost, and Michelle will be upfront about that from the first consultation.
How it works
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(01)
Initial consultation: Michelle assesses your situation and explains your options honestly
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(02)
Cost agreement signed and disclosure documents exchanged: full financial picture from both parties
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(03)
Negotiation: Michelle works toward an agreement that reflects a fair outcome
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(04)
Consent orders prepared and filed with the court
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(05)
Court order received: property transfer, superannuation splitting, and financial transfers proceed
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The clock starts the moment you separate.
If you're divorced, you have 12 months from the date of the divorce order to file a property settlement application. It's almost always better to finalise property settlement before the divorce is granted.
For de facto relationships, the time limit is 24 months from the date of separation.
If you're unsure where you're at with timing, get in touch sooner rather than later.
(Why Saltwater Legal?)Michelle limits the number of family law
matters she takes on at any one time. Not because demand is low but because it means every client gets her full attention, regular updates, and a lawyer who is genuinely across every detail of their matter.
Not sure if what you've agreed to is fair?
A single conversation with Michelle could change everything you think you know about what you're entitled to.