Shamac Lawyers

Shamac Lawyers ~ Empowerment, Support & Devotion

Conveyancing, Court Appearances, Criminal Defence, Deceased Estate Litigation & Family Law,
Melbourne & Throughout Victoria

Welcome to Shamac Lawyers. We guide you through family law, criminal defence, intervention orders, and conveyancing with dedication and compassion. By your side every step of the way, we protect your interests and secure your future with tailored, meticulous care.

Family Law Childrens Matters

In the delicate realm of family law, our approach is as personalised as the families we serve. From navigating divorce proceedings to resolving custody disputes, our team prioritises the well-being of your children and the protection of your rights.

Family Law Property Matters

Property division can be one of the most complex aspects of family law. Our seasoned team are here to ensure your property and financial interests are protected during divorce or separation. With strategic negotiation and steadfast representation, we aim for equitable solutions that secure your financial future

Intervention Orders

Whether you’re seeking an intervention order for protection or defending against one, our legal team understands the stakes. We provide swift, sensitive, and robust legal support to ensure your safety and rights are upheld. Trust us to navigate these critical matters with utmost care and legal precision.

Criminal Law - Police Charges

Facing criminal charges can be daunting. Our criminal law experts are committed to defending your rights and freedom with powerful legal strategies and comprehensive support. We appear in all courts throughout Melbourne Victoria. From minor infractions to serious offenses, we stand as your defender against police charges, ensuring every legal avenue is pursued for your defence.

Court Appearance Representation

We understand the weight and significance of court appearances in Melbourne and across Victoria. Whether you're facing litigation, seeking justice, or navigating complex legal challenges, our team stands ready to represent you with unmatched dedication and strategic acumen.

Deceased Estates

We offer compassionate guidance through the complexities of estate management and will disputes. If you're facing challenges, or unsure of your rights, our dedicated team is here to advocate for your rights and ensure your loved one's wishes are honoured with the utmost respect and legal diligence.

Conveyancing Buying

Turning the fine print into clear understanding for your property transaction—whether you're stepping into the world of property ownership or expanding your investment portfolio throughout Melbourne or Victoria. Embrace a worry-free property buying experience with our comprehensive support and transparent fixed-fee structure. Let us empower you to make informed decisions and achieve your real estate goals with confidence.

Conveyancing Selling

Your property sale, made effortlessly clear, clarity with seasoned advice. Our dedicated team is with you at every turn, from the provision of legal advice to the meticulous preparation of secure Section 32 Vendor Disclosure Statements and Contracts, we ensure every aspect of your sale is handled with precision and care. We proudly service Melbourne and Victoria.

We recognise that navigating legal challenges is often accompanied by emotional strain. Our commitment to empowerment, support, and devotion is at the core of our personalised and compassionate approach, ensuring every client feels valued and understood.

By your side every step of the way, we are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for you and your family. With our deep expertise and experience, we confidently tackle even the most complex legal issues, empowering you with the knowledge and support needed to move forward confidently and securely

At Shamac Lawyers

Located in the vibrant heart of Melbourne and serving across Victoria, we blend the art of personalised legal care with the precision of expert legal solutions. Our ethos is built around understanding that behind every legal challenge lies a personal story needing a voice, guidance, and resolution.

Whether navigating through the complexities of family law, addressing urgent criminal charges, or ensuring your rights are protected in property matters, our dedicated team offers not just legal advice, but a partnership.

We don’t just represent you, we help you to break free and move forward, with empowerment, support and devotion.

Bespoke Legal Strategies

Each case is unique, requiring not just a legal solution, but a creative and personalised strategy. From the intricacies of a family law separation and its consequential matters to the specific demands of property conveyancing disputes, we tailor our approach to fit your unique needs and objectives.

Accessibility When It Matters Most

We recognise that legal concerns don’t always arise during office hours. We are committed to accessibility, offering flexible appointment times including telephone and video consultations, and after-hours support to address your concerns as they happen.

Depth of Expertise

With a rich history of handling diverse legal matters, our team’s breadth of knowledge spans across key areas of law including family law intricacies, criminal defence, intervention orders, and comprehensive property conveyancing. This vast experience ensures that no matter your legal issue, you’re supported by a team that understands how to navigate it successfully.

Your Journey, Our Commitment

A Partnership Approach

Shamac Lawyers will provide you with innovative and quality legal solutions when discussing a potential family law separation and its consequences. We understand that every case is unique and requires a tailored approach.

Clear, Direct Communication

We prioritise clear, direct communication as the cornerstone of our interactions. Whether you need a criminal lawyer, family law advice, or a conveyancer, we ensure that you are well-informed and actively involved in every decision. We communicate with unmatched clarity and straightforwardness.

Rooted in Family Values & Community Spirit

We're family-minded individuals, deeply informed by our own experiences as parents and active community members, which drives our empathetic approach to family, and life related legal matters.

Let's Navigate Forward Together

If you’re in search of a legal team that places your needs, concerns, and objectives at the heart of everything we do, Shamac Lawyers is here for you. We will keep you fully in the loop and empower you to make informed decisions about your legal matters, ensuring that whether you're across Melbourne or throughout Victoria, you receive the transparent and direct communication you deserve. Connect with us to embark on a path toward resolution with confidence, support, and unwavering dedication at your side.

Please note that Legal Aid funding is subject to a strict and rigorous assessment criteria, and regrettably we are unable to provide services under Victoria Legal Aid.

Frequently Asked Questions - Criminal Lawyer & Family Lawyers - Melbourne & Victoria

Shamac Lawyers have a wealth of experience in all aspects of conveyancing, mediation, commercial litigation, criminal law and family law, including:

● Divorce applications
● Binding financial agreements
● Child support and maintenance
● Collaborative law
● Family violence intervention orders and protection applications
● Family dispute resolution mediation
● International child abduction
● Parenting matters
● Property settlement
● Same – sex relationships
● Spousal maintenance
● Variations to existing court orders

Your first meeting with Shamac Lawyers is a chance to get to know each other. You can discuss with us what you want to achieve, and we can help review all your options. You may be able to resolve your query in this initial conference.

Ultimately, you will walk away with insight into your options and possible outcomes, whilst also gaining a general understanding of the law and court process for your query.

We are available for conferences by video, including Skype, Zoom, Facetime, and in-person, at a number of locations in Melbourne and greater Victoria.

It’s important to get advice as soon as possible, so if you would like help with your breakup or something else that requires action, book a quick chat with a member of our team on the phone first to work out your next step.

Unfortunately we do not currently take on legal aid matters.

Victoria Legal Aid has recently tightened the eligibility requirements for funding in many matters. To be considered as eligible for Legal Aid funding you will usually need to be receiving a Centrelink benefit and be facing a likely term of imprisonment if found guilty of the offence charged.  Eligibility for Legal Aid funding is ultimately assessed on a case by case basis.

If you are arrested, you are obligated to answer questions about your identity including your name, address and date of birth only. But you have a right to refuse to answer any other questions.

No-one can gain access to your criminal record, unless you have given consent, or it is at the request of police or an authorised public body.

We can help you if you are called to attend a Police interview, or are arrested. We can:
● Advise you of your rights.
● Explain any charges against you.
● Explain your options.
● Advise on any possible penalties.
● Attend a police interview with you.
● Discuss the allegations with the investigating officers to arrange practical bail conditions and gain a greater understanding of any charges against you.
● Make a bail application for you in court where you are bail-refused by the Police or a Bail Justice.
● Represent you at court.

The presumption of innocence is integral in supporting the fairness of our criminal justice system. A person suspected or accused of a criminal offence is presumed innocent, unless and until, they are convicted of committing the offence. 

This means, if you are being investigated by the Police, you must always remember you are only suspected of the crime.

Only in some circumstances can police compel you to answer questions. In the court case  , the High Court of Australia said: “A person who believes on reasonable grounds that he or she is suspected of having been a party to an offence is entitled to remain silent when questioned or asked to supply information by any person in authority.”

Could we put the full citation at the bottom of the page? Just messes with the readability of the text

Duress and necessity are very similar defences. However, duress involves a response to the actions of other people, while necessity involves a response to circumstances that requires someone to choose the lesser of two evils.

If someone you know has been arrested and taken into custody it is essential that you call us as soon as possible so that we can advise them as to their rights, how to conduct themselves in a recorded interview, and, if required, prepare a bail application. We are available to advise on urgent matters, to engage us call (03) 9001 0170.

The law in relation to driving offences is complex and the courts have a very wide discretion to suspend your licence or disqualify you from obtaining a licence for a period of time. For more information about licence cancellations and driving offence penalties, be sure to contact us.

If you have been found guilty of an offence, or you pleaded guilty but feel the sentence received was excessive, you may appeal the decision to a higher court. You can also appeal if it appears that a technical error has occurred.

Generally, the time period for making an appeal is 28 days and this time period is strictly kept – although this may differ from court to court, and sometimes exceptions are made.

Before you lodge an appeal, be sure to speak with us for prompt and honest advice.

 

Absolutely! We are always happy to help formalise agreements that have been reached privately. However, we can only act on behalf of one of the parties, i.e. you both cannot be his direct client.

No matter where you are across the globe, if your matter relates to Victorian law, or Australian family law, we can assist you. We have a number of clients who live or work internationally and is pleased to be able to offer a service that accommodates these clients.

Many people will contact us before they choose to separate. He can help to give you a good understanding of what to expect if you do decide to separate and can assist you to form a plan of action.

As Officers of the Supreme Court of Victoria, we are committed to client confidentiality, so if you need to get legal advice before making the decision to separate, you will be provided advice with discretion and understanding.

A person is in a de facto relationship with another person if they are in a relationship as a couple living together on a “genuine domestic basis” but are not legally married to their partner.

You do not need to be living together to be considered as being in a de facto relationship. This is only one of the factors that will be considered. The other factors that will be considered include:

1. The duration of the relationship;

2. The nature and extent of the couple’s common residence;

3. whether a sexual relationship existed;

4. The degree of financial dependence or interdependence between the couple;

5. The ownership, use and acquisition of property;

6. The degree of mutual commitment to a shared life;

7. The care and support of children; and

8. The reputation and public aspects of the relationship.

You can legally still be in a de facto relationship even if one or both of you are legally married to or in a de facto relationship with other people.

However, regardless of whether you are technically in a de facto relationship, the Court only has the power to make orders for the division of property or spousal maintenance if it is satisfied that:

1. You have been in a de facto relationship for at least two years; or

2. There is a child of your relationship; or

3. That one of you has made substantial contributions (financial, non-financial or as a homemaker or parent) and a failure to make an order would result in a serious injustice; or

4. Your relationship has been registered under State or Territory legislation.

To be eligible to file an Application for Divorce, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia must be satisfied that your relationship has irretrievably broken down and that there is no prospect of reconciliation.

Before filing an Application for Divorce you must have separated from your spouse for at least 12 months prior to filing an Application for Divorce. It is possible to live together under the one roof and still be considered to be separated. In this circumstance you may be required to produce evidence from neighbours, friends and family confirming that you were separated whilst living together under the one roof.

The court has the power to grant a divorce if either party:

1. Regards Australia as home;

2. Intends to live in Australia;

3. Is an Australian citizen; or

4. Ordinarily lives in Australia and has been living in Australia for 12 months prior to the filing of an Application for Divorce.

If you have children from the marriage, the court must be satisfied that appropriate arrangements have been made for their care.

The living arrangements for children after separation are based on who the child “lives with” and who the child “spends time with”. The children may “live with” both parties on an equal basis or they might “live with” one parent and “spend time” with the other parent.

Irrespective of which parent the children live with or spend time with, it is important to note that there is still a presumption of “equal parental responsibility”, which relates to the long term decisions about the children’s welfare, such as decisions about education, religion, medical matters.

If the arrangements for the children post-separation cannot be agreed between the parties, the first step is to arrange family dispute resolution mediation.

Why Choose Us as Your Conveyancer, Criminal Lawyer or Family Lawyer in Melbourne & Victoria?

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