Hayley Chester

Hayley Chester is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and a Senior Associate in Lander & Rogers’ Family & Relationship Law team.

Although Hayley works from the firm’s Melbourne office, she is based in North‑East Victoria and regularly assists clients across the region, including Albury‑Wodonga, Wangaratta, Yarrawonga‑Mulwala and surrounding areas. Drawing on strong personal and professional regional connections, Hayley brings a deep understanding of the legal, commercial and family dynamics that commonly arise when families separate.

Hayley is known for providing strategic, practical advice delivered with empathy and responsiveness. She appreciates that separation and relationship breakdown can be an especially complex and emotionally challenging time. Her measured approach, strong attention to detail and high level of care support pragmatic outcomes that protect both family relationships and long‑term financial interests.

Hayley advises on all aspects of family law, including complex property settlements and parenting matters, as well as spousal maintenance, child support, and special medical treatment applications for children. She has particular experience acting for families in matters involving farms, wineries, family‑owned businesses and rural property structures, and understands the importance of succession planning and asset preservation in these contexts.

Having practised exclusively in family law since her admission, Hayley also advises high‑net‑worth individuals and families on financial agreements, including for those seeking to protect intergenerational wealth or safeguard assets when entering new relationships. This work frequently involves close collaboration with estate planning lawyers, accountants and financial advisers to ensure outcomes are commercially effective.

Hayley has been recognised for her work in family law as a finalist in the 2022 Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards and a nominee in 2023.

In addition to her private practice experience, Hayley previously volunteered for several years with Women’s Legal Service, providing family law advice and referrals to vulnerable women. She has also completed an internship at the Bombay High Court of India.

Experience

Hayley's expertise includes:

• property settlements (including negotiated agreements, mediation and defended litigation)
• drafting financial agreements for couples who are in or are contemplating a de facto relationship or marriage
• spousal maintenance
• parenting arrangements for the care of children (including alternative dispute resolution, private mediation and litigation)
• litigation in relation to special medical treatment for children, such as those diagnosed with gender dysphoria
• disputes in relation to parentage issues and who is legally deemed to be a parent
• child support
• international child abduction matters (otherwise known as Hague Convention matters).

Career highlights

Hayley's career highlights include:

• successfully obtaining an order for sole parental responsibility allowing a child to receive treatment for gender dysphoria and legally change their name
• advising and acting for high-net-worth clients with complex corporate and trust structures
• successfully obtaining a sole parental responsibility order allowing her client to apply for passports for the children and returning them home to Australia following a period of six years living abroad (after they fled Australia due to significant family violence)
• successfully obtaining orders to prevent the sale of properties whereby the other party was attempting to sell the properties pursuant to a fire sale
• acting and advising in court proceedings to determine whether a party was legally considered a parent in circumstances where they were not on the birth certificate and the child was born via IVF with donor egg/sperm
• representing a party in court proceedings to prove the existence of a de facto relationship within the meaning of the Family Law Act.

Client feedback

"Hayley… I couldn’t wish it for a kinder person than yourself. Thank you for absolutely everything you have done for me and [child's name]. You have gone above and beyond. I am so fortunate to have had the pleasure to have you represent me. So Thank You! It’s been a pleasure,"

"Thankyou sooo much for what you have done for me and our family. We can't thank you enough…It means so much to have such an amazing team fighting for us."

"Thanks a lot again and again. Feeling very blessed, thankful, and excited. You did so much for me. Will remember until my last breath…Hugely grateful in ways that words cannot describe."

"To an amazing lawyer who made a difficult process easier with diligence and kindness. Thank you Hayley."

"I felt entirely supported, both functionally and emotionally, was able to trust the team & their guidance, and they were on top of everything. Honestly, for what is one of the most harrowing journeys to traverse through in life, I would not like to imagine doing it without such a team. In addition to this, the team's non-confrontational and pragmatic child focused approach is truly noteworthy, it is sad that other firms (eg. my ex partner's) don't take such an approach to save everyone time, money and most of all, heartache."

FAQs

What can I expect from my family lawyer?

We support our clients through every step of a separation and dispute resolution. We have a trusted network of psychologists, counsellors, tax professionals, financial advisers and valuers so our clients always have the best team to support them through the process.

What if my former partner ignores my requests for financial disclosure?

Where you have made reasonable enquiries of your partner to provide financial documents, such as bank statements, and they have refused to do so, we may advise you to issue subpoenas for the production of their financial information. Learn more about how the subpoena process works in 'How do subpoenas work in family law?'.