Parenting lawyers help separated parents agree on, or seek court orders for, where children live and how they spend time with each parent.
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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.
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jessep & Storm Solicitors provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jessep & Storm Solicitors provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Johnston Withers, Port augusta provides legal services in Port Augusta, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Personal Injury · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Parenting & Child CustodyNo win, no fee
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Morton & Morton Solicitors provides legal services in Torquay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Personal Injury · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
AFL Withnalls provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, italian
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Keating Kate Lawyer provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Partner & Family Visas.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Manly, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Perth Mediation Services provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thompson Norrie Solicitors provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Family Property Settlement · Building & Construction · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Adrian Abrahams Family Lawyers provides legal services in Toorak, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Mildura, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Traffic Offences · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clear Path Family Law Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Mooloolaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Martens Legal provides legal services in Ashgrove, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Family Law Professionals Toowoomba provides legal services in South Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Skilled & Business Visas
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
White Berman Ryder - Barristers and Solicitors - Modbury Office provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
White Berman Ryder - Barristers and Solicitors - Modbury Office provides legal services in Modbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Anthony R Clarke & Associates provides legal services in Perth Cbd, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Property Settlement.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Dawson & Associates provides legal services in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Binding Financial Agreements
★★★★★★★★★★2.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Traffic Offences · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bowen Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ashby Family Solicitors provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Family Law+4 moreParenting & Child Custody · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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.
