Hazel Ondari

ABOUT HAZEL

Hazel is an Associate lawyer practising in family law, providing clear, considered advice on matters that are both legally and personally complex.

In her family law practice, Hazel acts in complex parenting disputes, high‑value property and financial settlements, and Binding Financial Agreements, often involving business structures, trusts and third‑party interests. She regularly advises on risk and safety issues, interim parenting arrangements and the strategic use of mediation and negotiation to resolve matters without unnecessary litigation.

Clients and colleagues value Hazel’s calm, outcome‑driven approach and her ability to help clients navigate challenging circumstances with clarity and confidence.

Hazel holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University and is currently completing both a Master of Laws in Family Law and collaborative practice training in Family Law. She has also completed a Digital Certificate in Family Law Advocacy and a Trust Account Management Course. Hazel is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria, the Victorian Women’s Legal Service and the Southern Solicitors Group, and regularly collaborates with other practitioners and experts in complex family law and employment law matters.

Areas of Practice

Core Expertise

Parenting arrangements and parenting orders

Hazel advises on complex parenting disputes, including spending time arrangements, parental responsibility, relocation and change of school, with a focus on child‑centred, workable parenting orders.

Property settlements and financial agreements after separation

She acts in property and financial settlements involving homes, investments, businesses and superannuation, guiding clients through negotiation, mediation and documentation by Binding Financial Agreements or Consent Orders.

Binding Financial Agreements (pre‑separation, post‑separation and during marriage)

Hazel drafts and advises on Binding Financial Agreements for married and de facto couples, including high‑net‑worth matters with companies, trusts and third‑party interests.

Family violence, risk and urgent interim orders

She assists clients where family violence, coercive control or safety concerns are in issue, including urgent interim parenting and property arrangements and coordination with intervention order proceedings.

Spousal maintenance and financial support

Hazel advises on applications for and against spousal maintenance, including interim support, capacity to pay, and negotiating lump‑sum or time‑limited maintenance as part of overall settlements.

Mediation, negotiation and out‑of‑court resolution

She regularly represents clients in lawyer‑led negotiations and mediations, aiming to resolve family law disputes efficiently and cost‑effectively while preserving workable long‑term arrangements where possible.

Qualifications