with Melody van der Wallen, Principal Lawyer at Wallen Family Law

One of the biggest sources of stress for family law clients is not knowing what their legal costs will be.

At Wallen Family Law, we do things differently. Our fixed-fee structure provides transparency, predictability and peace of mind from the very beginning.

Melody van der Wallen, Principal Lawyer at Wallen Family Law, says the goal is to remove the uncertainty that comes with traditional hourly billing. “When you’re going through separation or divorce, the last thing you need is surprise invoices,” she explains. “We want clients to know exactly what each stage will cost — before we start.”

Why We Use Fixed Fees

Fixed fees give clients clarity about what they’re paying for, when it’s due, and what’s included.

It allows you to plan your legal costs just like any other household or business expense — without worrying about time sheets or unexpected hourly charges.

“It keeps everyone focused on outcomes, not the clock,” Melody says. “We’d rather spend time helping you move forward than measuring every six minutes of your day.”

How It Works

Every matter begins with an initial fixed-fee consultation, where we learn about your situation and outline your options.

After that, we provide a clear proposal for your particular matter, the inclusions and the cost within a set fixed fee.

“If your matter changes, we’ll discuss it before anything new happens,” Melody explains. “It’s about transparency — you’ll never get a bill you didn’t expect.”

What’s Included in a Fixed Fee

Each fixed-fee matter includes all standard work relevant to that step of your matter — such as document preparation, meetings, emails, and negotiations.

“We clearly outline what’s included in writing,” Melody says. “That way, you can see exactly what you’re getting and what the outcome of that stage will be.”

Our Philosophy — Clarity from the Start

“Our table is round,” Melody explains. “We believe clarity leads to calmer outcomes. When people know the cost upfront, they can focus on resolution rather than worrying about the meter running.”

This approach reflects the firm’s core values — honesty, empathy and accessibility — ensuring clients feel supported and informed at every step.

Quick Answers

What does a fixed fee include?
Everything necessary to complete that stage of your matter — such as meetings, correspondence, and document preparation. It’s outlined in writing before you begin.

What type of matters do you offer as a fixed fee?

If you’ve reached an agreement with your ex-partner, we offer property and parenting Consent Orders, Binding Financial Agreements, Binding Child Support Agreements, Parenting Plans and Divorce Applications on a fixed fee.

Do fixed fees mean no extra costs at all?
Your fixed fee covers all agreed work. If extra work is required (for example, a new issue arises), we’ll give you a clear quote first. No surprises.

Do you offer Legal Aid or payment plans?
Yes. We’re a Legal Aid NSW panel firm and can assist eligible clients. We also work with JustFund to provide legal funding where appropriate.

Why do you prefer fixed fees over hourly rates?
Because it gives clients control, transparency and trust — and lets us focus on solutions instead of billable minutes.

From Melody

“Our fixed-fee model is designed to take the stress out of the process. You’ll always know what’s ahead — in both your legal steps and your costs. It’s family law, made clear.”

– Melody van der Wallen, Principal Lawyer, Wallen Family Law