Home > Legal issues > Relationship breakdown > Getting help

Getting help

There are many services available to help you with family relationships, separation and parenting. This page gives a summary of what is offered by some of these services.

Legal help 
Child contact centres
Courts
Family dispute resolution
Family violence and support services
Government departments and agencies

Legal help

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is a state-wide organisation that helps people with their legal problems. We focus on helping and protecting the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged Victorians.

For more information about VLA see ‘What we do’ (link below).

For other legal services see ‘Getting help – services’ (link below).

Child contact centres

Child contact centres are places where children can see their parents or where changeover from one parent to another can occur. Many contact centres also provide support programs for children and parents experiencing family breakdown.

For contact details see ‘Getting help – services’ (link below).

Courts

If you cannot agree with your ex-partner or if your case is not suitable for family dispute resolution you may need to go to court. In court decisions on matters such as parenting orders and division of property can be made. The courts offer help, information and referal services.

For contact details see ‘Getting help – services’ (link below).

Family dispute resolution

Victoria Legal Aid has a family dispute resolution service. Family dispute resolution can help couples who have separated, sort out disputes more quickly and easily than by going to court.

For more information see ‘Resolving family disputes' (link below).

Family violence and support services

Family violence services are available for people who wish to leave, or have left, a violent relationship. If you are experiencing family violence and the situation is urgent do not wait, contact the police on ‘000’.

For contact details see ‘Getting help – services’ (link below).

Government departments and agencies

There are several government departments and agencies that can help with family relationships, separation and parenting.

For contact details see ‘Getting help – services’ (link below).

More Information

Getting help – services

Resolving family disputes

What we do