Susan Ilias
Principal Lawyer
+61 3 8600 6040
silias@aitken.com.au
Susan Ilias
Areas of Law: Family Law
Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws | Bachelor of Arts (Australian Politics) | Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
Office Location: Melbourne
Experience
Susan Ilias is a Melbourne-based family lawyer with more than 25 years of legal experience, advising clients on complex property disputes, parenting matters, financial agreements and intervention orders.
Susan is known for her practical and strategic approach to family law matters. She understands that separation can present both emotional and financial challenges, particularly where significant assets, business interests or parenting disputes are involved.
Susan works closely with her clients to provide clear, outcome-focused advice and practical solutions tailored to their individual circumstances.
Prior to joining Aitken Partners, Susan practised as a barrister for five years, focusing on Family Law, Criminal Law and Intervention Orders and regularly appearing in the Magistrates' Court and County Court appeals for Criminal and Intervention Order matters. She has also served as a Family Violence Duty Lawyer at both Melbourne and Heidelberg Magistrates' Courts for many years.
Susan is regularly appointed as an Independent Children's Lawyer in proceedings before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
She brings a child-focused approach to highly contested parenting disputes and is experienced in navigating matters involving complex family dynamics and family violence issues.
Family Law Services in Melbounre
Susan advises clients across all aspects of family law and relationship breakdown.
Parenting & Children's Matters
• Parenting arrangements
• Parenting plans and consent orders
• Parenting disputes
• Relocation disputes
• Parental responsibility matters
• Schooling, healthcare and international travel disputes
• High-conflict parenting matters
• Independent Children's Lawyer appointments
• Interim and final parenting orders
Property Settlements & Financial Matters
• Property settlements
• Division of assets and liabilities
• Complex property disputes
• Family trusts and business structures
• Asset tracing and non-disclosure issues
• Financial contributions disputes
• Third-party financial interests, loans and gifts
• Superannuation splitting, including SMSFs and defined benefit funds
• Binding Financial Agreements
• Asset protection strategies
Family Violence & Intervention Orders
• Family Violence Intervention Orders
• Personal Safety Intervention Orders
• Family violence matters involving parenting proceedings
• Family violence matters involving property disputes
• Criminal law matters relating to Intervention Orders
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Negotiated settlements
• Court proceedings
• Complex family law litigation
• Parenting proceedings
• Property disputes involving substantial asset pools
• County Court appeals relating to Intervention Orders
Industries & Clients
Susan advises a broad range of clients, including:
• Individuals and families
• Parents and grandparents
• Business owners
• Professionals
• High-net-worth individuals
• Clients with family trust structures and business interests
• Clients involved in high-conflict parenting disputes
• Clients navigating complex financial separations