High Asset Property and Parenting Matter with IVO Crossover – Melbourne, 2026

June 16, 2026

Complex family law matters rarely sit neatly within one area of law. When high-value property disputes and parenting issues intersect with an Intervention Order, clients can quickly find themselves at a strategic disadvantage if the issues are not managed together.

This case highlights how early, coordinated action is critical – particularly where an Intervention Order affects not only parenting, but also access to significant assets.

The Initial Situation

Our client engaged Nardi Lawyers following the breakdown of a long-term relationship involving a substantial asset pool, including:

• Multiple real properties
• Business interests
• Valuable personal assets, including artwork and vehicles

At the same time:

• Parenting arrangements had broken down, with no formal agreement in place
• An Intervention Order had been initiated following a family dispute
• Allegations had been raised that had the potential to impact both parenting and financial outcomes

Our client’s priorities were clear:

1. Maintain a meaningful relationship with his children
2. Protect and accurately account for a high-value and complex asset pool

Nardi Lawyers were therefore engaged to act in our client’s family law and Intervention Order matters.

The Intervention Order & Its Practical Impact

An Interim Intervention Order was made early in the matter.

Critically, the order excluded our client from the former family home and restricted contact with his former partner and children.

While such exclusions are not uncommon, they can have significant unintended consequences in high-asset matters. In this case, the exclusion created immediate and practical difficulties, particularly in relation to the identification and valuation of our client’s personal, high value assets.

Our client was a collector of high-end art and classic vehicles, all of which formed part of the marital asset pool and required valuation.

Flow-On Effects to the Property Matter

Accurate valuation is a critical step in any property settlement, particularly where assets are unique or high value.

Because our client was excluded from the home:

• Independent valuers could not be properly instructed without coordination
• There was a risk of disputed or incomplete asset identification
• Concerns arose around preservation and potential movement of assets

Importantly, the valuation process itself was compromised by our client’s inability to be present. Given his detailed knowledge of the artwork and vehicles – including provenance, condition, and relevant history – his absence created a real risk that assets would be undervalued or misunderstood.

How Nardi Lawyers navigated this issue

Recognising this issue early, we took proactive steps to resolve it.

We negotiated with the other party’s Intervention Order lawyer on the day of the Court hearing for a practical amendment to the Intervention Order, specifically:

• Allowing our client to attend the former family home with the written consent of the other party

This provided a controlled and compliant mechanism for access, while maintaining the integrity of the order.

Following this, we:

• Liaised directly with the other party’s family lawyer
• Negotiated a suitable and mutually agreed time for attendance
• Coordinated our client’s presence at the property to coincide with the independent valuers

This ensured our client could:

• Assist valuers in identifying and contextualising key assets
• Provide relevant information regarding artwork and vehicles
• Facilitate a more accurate and efficient valuation process

By taking these steps, we were able to overcome what is a common – but often unaddressed – barrier in matters involving exclusion conditions.

Parenting Matter

At the same time, the Intervention Order also affected parenting arrangements.

Although limited exceptions existed, communication between the parties had broken down. This resulted in inconsistent and reduced time with the children, as well as difficulty in negotiating interim parenting arrangements

As is often the case, the Intervention Order began to influence both the parenting dynamics and the broader litigation strategy.

We therefore negotiated Interim Parenting Arrangements with the other party’s family lawyer, which allowed our client to recommence time with the children.

Our Approach

At Nardi Lawyers, we regularly act in matters where:

• Significant asset pools are in dispute
• Parenting arrangements are contested
• Intervention Orders affect both access and legal strategy

Our focus is on:

• Identifying practical disadvantages early
• Implementing workable, real-world solutions (not just legal theory)
• Protecting both financial and parenting outcomes through a unified approach

Outcome-Focused, Not Issue-Focused

In this matter, the Intervention Order had the potential to significantly impact both the parenting relationship and the integrity of the property pool.

By acting early and strategically, we ensured that:

• The client’s exclusion from the home did not translate into a long-term disadvantage
• Proper valuation processes were carried out with appropriate input and oversight
• Parenting arrangements were addressed in a structured and enforceable way

This approach allowed the client to move forward with confidence, knowing that all aspects of the matter were being managed together – not in isolation.