Will Stidston

Will has almost two decades of family law experience and has practised exclusively in the area since 2010. In 2013, Will became accredited as a family law specialist by the Law Institute of Victoria.

‘Prior to specialising in family law, I gained experience practising in commercial litigation, commercial law and criminal law. The exposure to those other areas continues to assist my approach to family law matters to this day.’

Will specialises in:

• Complex financial matters, including those encompassing corporate interests, discretionary and unit trusts, rural / farming properties, taxation issues, superannuation and international assets
• Matters involving discrete legal questions, including those relating to equitable interests, contractual principles, third party issues, jurisdiction, the establishment of de facto relationships and court proceedings commenced to set aside a court order or financial agreement
• Urgent financial issues, including applications for spousal maintenance and injunctions
• Difficult parenting cases encompassing relocation (both international and domestic), issues arising under the ‘Hague Abduction Convention’, parental alienation and child support
• Urgent parenting issues, including Family Law Watch List and recovery applications
• Asset protection and the preparation of financial agreements

Will has worked on a several large multi-million-dollar financial matters involving intricate corporate structures, as well as challenging parenting cases involving international relocation. He also has extensive experience in matters involving family violence, including Victorian Family Violence Intervention Orders.

‘At BN I am lucky to be able to work with a team of recognised leaders in family law. I enjoy the broad spectrum of issues that my work requires me to address, encompassing both legal and non-legal challenges.’

Will recognises that there is no ‘one size fits all’ in family law as each case is different and tailors the approach adopted to meet the objectives of his clients in a transparent manner.

He regularly appears in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and also works closely with experienced family law Counsel, including King’s Counsel / Senior Counsel, when appropriate.

‘I work with clients from all facets of life. I enjoy working with them to understand the complexities of their family (whether financial or otherwise) and assist with the resolution of what, at times, can be extremely difficult legal issues.’

Will contributes substantially to thought leadership. These contributions include having been a contributing author to the property and financial agreements sections of Thomson Reuters’ Encyclopedia of the Laws of Australia.

Industry recognition:

• The Best Lawyers in Australia - Family Law, Melbourne since 2021
• Doyles's Guide - Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer, VIC in 2025 and 2023, and recommended in 2024
• Doyle's Guide - Recommended Family Lawyers (High-Value & Complex Property Matters), VIC in 2023 and 2025
• Doyle's Guide - Family Law Rising Start, VIC in 2018 and 2019