Services — Family Law

Practical advice during important changes in your life.

Clear, practical and compassionate legal guidance to help you protect your family, understand your rights and move forward with greater confidence.

What we cover

Family law services

We provide clear and practical guidance across a range of family and relationship matters.

Family & De Facto Law

Whether you’re in a marriage or a de facto relationship, our team is here to guide you through the legal issues that can arise at every stage of your relationship. We provide clear, practical advice on a broad range of family and de facto law matters, including parenting arrangements, property and financial disputes, and separation, helping you understand your rights and achieve a fair and workable outcome with confidence.

Family Law Property Settlement

Whether you’re separating from a partner or seeking to finalise your financial arrangements, our team is here to support you through every stage of a property settlement. We provide clear, practical advice on the division of assets, liabilities and superannuation, helping you achieve a fair and equitable outcome that reflects your contributions and future needs with confidence and certainty.

Separation Agreements

Whether you’re navigating the breakdown of a relationship or seeking to formalise arrangements moving forward, our team is here to support you. We assist with the preparation and negotiation of separation agreements, helping you clearly document financial and practical arrangements, minimise uncertainty and move forward with confidence.

Divorce

Whether you’re navigating the breakdown of a relationship or seeking to formalise arrangements moving forward, our team is here to support you. We assist with the preparation and negotiation of separation agreements, helping you clearly document financial and practical arrangements, minimise uncertainty and move forward with confidence.

Why choose Hutch Legal for your family matters?

Our principal Alex Hutchison brings decades of experience in both legal practice and complex financial structures — rare expertise that benefits every estate planning client.

01

Transparent fees

Fixed fee arrangements wherever possible — you’ll always know where you stand

02

Practical advice

Clear, implementable guidance — not just legal theory

03

Senior attention

Every client matter is personally handled by Alex, not delegated to juniors

CONTACT US

Get informed about your legal matter by contacting us today.

We respond in 24 hours or less* (during business hours)

Meet the team

  • Jake Stockley – Principal and Head of Legal Services

  • Joanne Camilleri – Senior Licensed Conveyancing Consultant

  • Katie Shanahan – Senior Wills & Estates Paralegal

  • Magdalena Sudol – Senior Probate Paralegal

  • Carley Agius – Conveyancer
  • Dina Shumilo – Associate Lawyer

  • Jodie Sherman – Senior Conveyancer

JAKE STOCKLEY
Principal and Head of Legal Services

Jake Stockley is the principal solicitor of Clarence Legal Services (“CLS”).

Jake began his career at “Big Law” firms Dentons and HWL Ebsworth, before opening CLS at the end of 2021. Jake’s experience in “the big end of town” allows him to provide comprehensive legal support services to his clients.

Throughout his career, Jake has been exposed to all forms of complex transactions through which he developed a keen eye for detail, a strong ability to process information efficiently and, most importantly, a thorough understanding of how to run transactions in a manner that is smooth and stress free for his clients. These attributes allow Jake (and his team under his supervision) to provide thorough and comprehensive assistance in all areas of practice.

JOANNE CAMILLERI
Senior Licensed Conveyancing Consultant

Joanne Camilleri is a Licensed Conveyancer with 26 years of experience in conveyancing (22 years as a Licensed Conveyancer). Joanne’s expertise stretches across the full range of residential and commercial conveyancing work in NSW.

Joanne’s wide skillset include sales, purchases, transfers, and leases. With an expert understanding of property law and conveyancing, and the all-important buyer and seller needs in transactions, Joanne delivers high-quality results for her clients in all settings.

KATIE SHANAHAN
Senior Wills & Estates Paralegal

Katie Shanahan, a Senior Paralegal in our Sydney team, holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland and worked for an Irish Legal firm in the areas of conveyancing, probate and litigation. Since being in Australia, Katie has worked with HWL Ebsworth as a paralegal in their property practice before moving to CLS.

Throughout her career, Katie took an interest in Wills & Estate work, and this is now her primary area of focus

MAGDALENA SUDOL
Senior Probate Paralegal

Magdalena Sudol is our senior estate administration paralegal, having worked in law firms for over 30 years.

During her career, Magdalena has gained extensive experience in the management of Probate/Letters of Administration and Wills & Estate matters, managing these matters for clients from start to finish. She has strong interpersonal skills, a caring and compassionate demeanour and understands how to prioritise clients’ needs, enabling her to go above and beyond for all clients.

CARLEY AGIUS
Conveyancer

Carley is a conveyancer in our property team and assists our clients with all manner of conveyancing transactions, from purchases and sales to family related transfers.

Having worked in the industry for 10 years, Carley has a comprehensive understanding of the conveyancing landscape which allows her to provide her clients with a hassle free and straightforward experience.

DINA SHUMILO
Associate Lawyer

Dina Shumilo is an Associate Lawyer based in our Brisbane office. Originally from Russia, Dina was admitted to practice in Queensland in 2008 and holds postgraduate law degrees from Kingston University and the Inns of Court, City University (London).

With over 20 years’ experience in Property Law, Dina manages our Queensland Property Department and advises on a broad range of residential and commercial property transactions. She is known for her meticulous approach and her ability to guide clients through complex transactions with clarity and confidence.

Dina is committed to delivering a seamless and supportive experience, ensuring clients feel informed, comfortable, and well looked after at every stage of the process.

JODIE SHERMAN
Senior Conveyancer

With more than 11 years’ experience in the industry, Jodie Sherman, Senior Conveyancer, is known for her attention to detail, proactive approach and unwavering commitment to her clients. She is PEXA-trained, a qualified Justice of the Peace, and was recognised in 2025 as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in Conveyancing by Australian Conveyancer magazine.

Jodie is passionate about conveyancing and takes pride in simplifying what can often feel like an overwhelming process. She has worked with residential, commercial and off the plan contracts and genuinely loves helping her clients feel informed, supported and confident from start to settlement.

Our promise – practical, results-centric, committed.

We deliver our services with a commitment to excellence and a dedication to putting your needs first. You can always pick up the phone and speak with the team helping you with your matter.
Our mission is to be at the centre of your legal needs, providing insightful guidance that you can trust.

We leverage our expertise as qualified lawyers, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to your individual needs. That means having an experienced, qualified lawyer overseeing your property matter from start to finish.