Parenting lawyers help separated parents agree on, or seek court orders for, where children live and how they spend time with each parent.
firms
561
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
Australian courts decide parenting arrangements based on the child's best interests, with safety the first consideration. Parents can record an agreement in a parenting plan, which is flexible but not enforceable, or in consent orders, which are. A lawyer helps you understand what arrangements are realistic and how to present your case if agreement isn't possible.
Why parenting & child custody matters
Parenting arrangements shape children's daily lives for years. A clear, workable agreement reduces conflict and gives children stability.
The Australian context
Under the Family Law Act, the child's best interests are paramount and safety is the first consideration. 2024 reforms removed the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, so each case turns on its own facts. Agreements can be recorded in a parenting plan or made binding as consent orders.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Richardson Murray provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sarah Stewart Family Law provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Administrative & Government Law · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Strive Family Law and Mediations provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+5 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Belleli King & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.7 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosnells, WA · Perth East
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Gosnells, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Carter and Co Family Law provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Family Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Child Protection & Care Matters · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Chatswood Family Lawyers provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Elizabeth Wiese & Associates provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kilcoy, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hawthorn Cuppaidge & Badgery Lawyers provides legal services in Kilcoy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hills Family Lawyers provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Lakey Family Law and Mediation provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Linda Emery & Associates Pty Ltd provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · De Facto Relationships · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Franchising
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Point Cook Family Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Townsville Family Lawyers provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Doncaster East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Village Family Lawyers provides legal services in Doncaster East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Wylde Family Law provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Skilled & Business Visas.
Family Law+2 moreParenting & Child Custody · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albany, WA · Great Southern
Albany Family Law provides legal services in Albany, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Binding Financial Agreements · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geraldton, WA · Mid West & Gascoyne
Bowlay Family Law WA provides legal services in Geraldton, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+2 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
CHOMLEY FAMILY LAW provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Understand the next step
A practical guide to parenting & child custody
What to discuss at the first meeting
Describe the children’s current arrangements and the practical problem you want resolved. School, health, travel, communication and safety issues may need different discussions from a disagreement about time spent with each parent.
Ask how a proposed plan differs from a court order and what process would be required to record or change arrangements.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
Questions to ask a parenting & child custody adviser
What arrangements need immediate attention?
What resolution process is suitable given any safety concerns?
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is there a presumption of 50/50 time?
No. The law focuses on the child's best interests. Equal time can be ordered where it suits the child, but there is no automatic starting point of equal time.
Can I move away with the children?
Relocating in a way that affects the other parent's time usually needs their agreement or a court order. Get advice before moving.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
