I'm Elisa Rothschild, principal lawyer at Fogarty Oliver Rothschild in St Kilda. I came into family law because the people I saw going through separation deserved someone genuinely in their corner — someone who listens first, fights when it's needed, and never loses sight of the fact that there are real lives, and often children, behind every matter. Fourteen years on, that's still why I do this.
When you work with me, you work with me — not a rotating team of junior solicitors. The same person who takes your first call is the one who runs your matter to the end.
How I help with your divorce
“Divorce” is really several separate things, and people are often relieved to hear they can be handled one calm step at a time. Here's what I help Melbourne families with.
The divorce itself
The legal end of the marriage. It needs 12 months' separation and a relatively simple application — but the timing matters, because finalising your divorce starts a 12-month clock to sort out property. I'll make sure the sequence works in your favour.
Property settlement
Dividing the home, savings, superannuation, debts and any business interests — fairly, and with as little conflict as possible. This is where most of the real work (and the real money) sits. See how property settlement works and what it typically costs.
Your children
Where the children live, the time they spend with each parent, and how the big decisions get made — always guided by what's genuinely best for them, not point-scoring between parents. See parenting & children's issues.
Making it official with consent orders
Once you've agreed, I turn that agreement into binding consent orders — so it can't unravel later, and so the transfer of the family home is exempt from stamp duty.
Jewish divorce and the get
Where it applies, I coordinate the civil divorce with the get through the Melbourne Beth Din, so no one is left chained and neither step becomes leverage. It's a genuine specialty here, not an add-on.
What will it cost?
The honest answer is: it depends on whether things are agreed or fought. An agreed matter resolved by consent orders costs a small fraction of one that goes to a contested hearing — and my job is to keep you toward the calmer, cheaper end wherever that's fair. You'll get a realistic range at our first (free) consultation, and every fee is disclosed in writing before any work starts.
For the full picture, read how much a divorce costs in Australia, what a family lawyer costs in Melbourne, or our fixed-fee packages.
A local family lawyer, across Melbourne
The office is at 84 Chapel Street, St Kilda, and I act for families right across Melbourne — from the bayside and inner south-east to the wider metropolitan area. You're welcome to meet in person, by video, or by phone, whatever's easiest while you have a lot on.
Looking for a divorce lawyer in your suburb? Find your local family lawyer page — including St Kilda, Brighton, Caulfield, Malvern and Toorak.
Common questions about divorce in Melbourne
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Australia?+
Not for the divorce itself — the divorce application is a relatively simple form, and many people file it themselves. Where people genuinely need a lawyer is everything around it: dividing property and superannuation, sorting out arrangements for the children, and making any agreement legally binding through consent orders. A divorce ends the marriage; it doesn't divide a single dollar or decide where the children live. Those are the parts worth getting right.
How long does a divorce take in Melbourne?+
You need to have been separated for 12 months before you can apply. Once the application is filed, the divorce order is usually granted within about three to four months. Property settlement and parenting arrangements run on their own timeline and can often be finalised by agreement well before, or alongside, the divorce — you don't have to wait for the divorce to sort out the rest.
What does a divorce lawyer cost?+
It depends entirely on what's involved. A straightforward, agreed matter costs a fraction of one that's fought all the way to a contested hearing. At our first consultation — which is free — I'll give you a realistic cost range for your actual situation, not a generic quote, and fees are always disclosed in writing before any work begins. There's a full breakdown on our divorce cost guide and our family lawyer fees page.
Will I have to go to court?+
In most matters, no. The large majority of separations are resolved by negotiation, mediation and consent orders, without anyone ever setting foot in a courtroom. Court is the last resort — for the situations where someone won't engage, won't disclose, or where children are genuinely at risk. My job is to keep your matter out of court wherever that's safe and fair to do.
Can you help with a Jewish divorce and the get?+
Yes. Alongside the civil divorce, I coordinate the get with the Melbourne Beth Din so neither step is used as leverage over the other — which matters enormously where there's a risk of someone being left an agunah. It's a core part of the practice, not an afterthought.
Is the first consultation really free?+
Yes — genuinely free, in confidence, and with no obligation. You'll speak with me, Elisa, directly. I'll listen, give you an honest read of where you stand, and tell you whether and how I can help. If your matter is straightforward, I'll say so.
Written and reviewed by Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB — Principal Lawyer, Fogarty Oliver Rothschild. Admitted to legal practice in Victoria. Family and property law in Melbourne since 2012. This page is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Last reviewed 2026-05-28.