Going through a separation in a regional town can feel lonely. There may not be many people you want to confide in, and getting proper legal help can seem to mean long drives or long waits. You deserve better than that, and you don't have to work through it alone. I'm Elisa Rothschild, a family lawyer since 2012. I practise from St Kilda in Melbourne, and I'm admitted in Victoria and to the High Court of Australia, which allows me to act in family law matters across Australia. I work with people in Devonport and around the Mersey — Latrobe, Port Sorell, Spreyton, Sheffield, Ulverstone — by video, phone and email, so you can get advice from your own kitchen table. I handle every matter personally, and I'll always make time to explain.
Parenting across Bass Strait
Devonport is where the Spirit of Tasmania links the island with Victoria, and that connection shows up in family life. It's not unusual for one parent to live in Tasmania and the other in Victoria, or for someone to be thinking about moving across after a separation. When children are involved, distance makes the arrangements more complex: school terms, holiday time, travel, and who meets whom, where.
I'll help you work out arrangements that keep children connected to both parents where that's safe and in their best interests, with clear provisions for travel and costs. And because I'm based in Victoria and the law is federal, I'm comfortable working with families who are split across both sides of Bass Strait.
Consent orders: making your agreement final
If you and your former partner have agreed about property or the children, consent orders turn that agreement into binding court orders without anyone attending court. They're filed online with the Federal Circuit and Family Court, with a $205 filing fee, and decided by a registrar on the papers.
I draft the orders carefully, check the financial disclosure behind them, and explain every clause before you sign. My fixed fee for Devonport clients is $990 for property only or parenting only, and $1,490 for both, plus the court fee.
Divorce and property settlement
You can apply for divorce after 12 months of separation, jointly or on your own, online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal. The court fee is $1,125, or $375 at the concession rate. My fixed fee for Devonport clients is $750 for a joint application and $990 for a sole one. Divorce doesn't divide property, so that's a separate step — through consent orders, a Binding Financial Agreement (a straightforward BFA starts from $1,490, complex ones $2,990 to $4,950), or the court if agreement isn't possible.
Please keep the time limits in mind: married couples generally have 12 months after the divorce takes effect to apply for property orders, and de facto couples generally two years from separation.
Lower fees, and help without the travel
My fees for Tasmanian clients are lower than my Victorian fees. I know a separation can leave very little room in the budget, and I'd rather you get sound advice early. Your fee is confirmed in writing after our free 30-minute consultation, before any work starts. Agreed matters are filed online, and documents can be signed and witnessed locally, so for most clients there's no need to travel. If a court hearing is ever needed, I'll explain where it will be heard and appear by video link where the court allows.
If you're worried about your safety, call 000 in an emergency or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for confidential support. Family violence orders in Tasmania are made by the Magistrates Court of Tasmania, and I can help you understand how one fits with parenting and property matters.
Frequently asked questions — family law in Devonport
My former partner lives in Victoria and I'm in Devonport. Which state's law applies?+
For family law, it doesn't matter — the federal Family Law Act applies in both Tasmania and Victoria, and the same national court deals with the matter. Some state-based issues, like family violence orders, depend on where you live.
Can parenting orders deal with travel between Tasmania and the mainland?+
Yes. Orders can set out when children travel, how they travel, who accompanies younger children and how costs are shared. Clear arrangements usually mean fewer disagreements later.
Do I need to travel for appointments?+
No. I work with Devonport clients by video, phone and email, and documents can be witnessed locally. Most agreed matters are filed online and decided on the papers.
How much does divorce cost for Devonport clients?+
The court fee is $1,125, or $375 at the concession rate. My fixed fee is $750 for a joint application and $990 for a sole one — lower than my Victorian fees — confirmed in writing after a free 30-minute consultation.
What happens in the free 30-minute consultation?+
You tell me what's going on and what you're most worried about. I'll explain your options and next steps in plain English and give you an honest sense of cost. It's by video or phone, confidential, and there's no obligation.
Family law help for Devonport, whatever you're facing
Whatever stage you're at, you don't have to work it out on your own. Here's how I help Devonport families — calmly, honestly, and always on your side.
Divorce lawyer in Devonport
From the divorce application itself through to dividing property and sorting arrangements for the children — handled one calm step at a time, in plain English. See how I help with divorce →
Child custody & parenting lawyer in Devonport
Where the children live, time with each parent, and how the big decisions get made — always guided by what's genuinely best for them, never point-scoring. Parenting & children's issues →
Property settlement lawyer in Devonport
Dividing the home, superannuation, savings and debts fairly, with as little conflict as possible. How property settlement works → · What a family lawyer costs →
Reviewed by Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB — Principal Lawyer, Fogarty Oliver Rothschild. Last reviewed 2026-05-28.