Our family law team's philosophy is to provide our clients with comprehensive advice and support during this difficult period in their lives. Our goal is to guide our clients through this often emotional journey as quickly and painlessly as possible. We have tailored our approach and methods to meet this goal.

Our approach is to attempt to quickly resolve the matter through negotiations, and have an agreement formalised and implemented without Court intervention. Negotiated settlements are often more cost effective, both financially and emotionally.

Our team believes that an inflammatory, angry and aggressive approach rarely achieves our goal. We understand that this is an emotional time but often find that if a negotiated settlement is aggressive it often lengthens the proceedings resulting in emotional stress and escalated legal fees.

However, we will not compromise your position in pursuit of a negotiated settlement. If the other party refuses to take a conciliatory approach, we will employ appropriate legal remedies to obtain a solution for you.

We adopt a caring approach and aim to work closely with accountants, financial planners, counsellors and tax specialists to ensure our clients' legal, financial and emotional concerns are addressed. When we refer you to another professional, be assured that you will receive the same high level of service that you receive from Murdochs.

At the end of the day, the journey is one that belongs to you. We strive to educate you about the family law system, your options and the hurdles that you may incur, so ultimately you are empowered and in control of the decision making process.

Our People

Andrew Crooke
Director and Family Law Accredited Specialist

To find opportunities for unique tax advantages and obtain the best financial result for each client, Andrew works closely with other experts such as accountants and financial planners.

Andrew is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and having worked in this area since 1992, has experience in all facets of this area of the law. Some of which include complex property settlements, child support, spousal maintenance and children's issues involving relocation, abduction and child abuse.

Andrew has completed collaborative practice training with the University of Technology Sydney and an advanced course providing essential skills for collaborative practice lawyers in Canberra. Andrew is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Law Association of Queensland.

Yolanda Battisson
Associate

Yolanda has an understanding of the stress many clients experience in resolving disputes about their children and property.

She assists her clients to achieve the best possible outcomes available by providing high quality legal advice, including options of alternative approaches, so her clients can make informed decisions helping them to achieve short and long term goals, moving on.

Yolanda undertakes negotiation and mediation where appropriate, as well as litigation if a court decision is necessary, with a view to achieving results in the most cost-effective way possible for her clients.

Yolanda is a committee member of the South West Queensland Women on the Move.

Rebecca Durkin
Senior Lawyer

Rebecca's experience working within the Court system has given her a strong awareness of the emotional toll the family law process can have on clients.

Rebecca draws on her vast knowledge and experience to explore clients; legal rights to deliver practical options in helping them to achieve short and long term goals.

Rebecca aims to assist her clients to obtain the best possible outcomes available by providing high quality legal advice, including honest assessments of alternative approaches, so they are equipped to make sound decisions moving on with their lives.

Rebecca is a committee member of Women on the Move, and serves as treasurer of the Toowoomba Children's Contact Centre and local Camp Quality committee. Rebecca also sits on the Queensland Law Society's Young Lawyer Section.

Sonia Brown
Senior Lawyer and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

Sonia understands that family breakdown can be an emotional and confusion time for clients. She believes that quality advice needs to be coupled with sensitivity and excellent communication to deliver outcomes that are tailored to each client's individual needs.

Through Sonia's extensive experience representing clients at mediations and in court, she has gained a keen appreciation of the many benefits to the client of resolving disputes early and without the need to go to court.

It is from this experience that Sonia decided to train as a family law mediator herself and is now a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, authorised to provide mediation services that are compulsory in many family law matters.

Sonia is passoniate about delivering child-focused outcomes and empowering clients to move forward after separation.

Paralegals

Our paralegals play a major role in assisting clients with issues which arise as a result of separation, such as divorce. They stand by our clients every step of the way and support them through what can be a difficult time. Our paralegals provided an integral link between solicitor and client during the case which is why Cass, Kim and Alexandra are such an asset to the firm.

Cassandra Trappett
Paralegal

Cassandra's strong customer service background and her passion for people contact has seen her progress from our client services department to paralegal.

Through Cassandra's experience in the client services team she is aware of the necessity for clear communication with clients and the need to act promptly should an obstacle arise that may alter a desired outcome.

Cassandra is the paralegal to Andrew Crooke, Rebecca Durkin and Sonia Brown however, she also provides vital support to all the family law team as required.

Kimberly Farmer
Paralegal

Kimberly brings to Murdochs Lawyers over three years of experience working as a conveyancing paralegal. Seeking a role which allowed her to develop a close relationship with clients Kimberly has recently commenced in the area of family law. Kimberly displays great attention to detail, organisation and compassion and this is apparent to anyone who has contact with her. Kimberly enjoys meeting with clients to put them at ease and let them know that we are here to represent them and ensure the best possible result for their case. Kimberly’s experience, friendly nature and genuine passion for everything she involves herself in makes her an extremely important element of the Murdochs team.

Alexandra Munster
Paralegal

Alexandra brings to Murdochs a dedication to her role and an exceptional work ethic for someone so young. Alexandra provides vital assistance to the family lawyers by managing the day-to-day requirements of each file. Alexandra is meticulous, personable, smart, attentive and offers a commitment to doing everything as well as she possibly can. She is a prized member of the family law team and we look forward to you experiencing first hand Alexandra’s practical approach and exceptional work ethic.