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.
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Balgowlah, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Saxe O'Neill Family Lawyers provides legal services in Balgowlah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watts McCray Lawyers Hornsby provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Phillips Family Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Family Property Settlement
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Bathurst, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Steele & Co provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing · Divorce & Separation
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Newtown, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Trapski Family Law provides legal services in Newtown, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement · Binding Financial Agreements · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Building & Construction
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Williams Landing, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Trapski Family Law provides legal services in Williams Landing, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement · Binding Financial Agreements · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Building & Construction
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Brookwater, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
VM Family Law provides legal services in Brookwater, QLD. 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 · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Mango Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Best Wilson Buckley Family Law provides legal services in Mango Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
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Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marriott Oliver provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
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Moonee Ponds, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kelly & McHale Family Lawyers provides legal services in Moonee Ponds, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
KMB Legal provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Personal Injury · Building & Construction · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Purcell and Purcell Pty Ltd provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★2.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rhonda Sheehy & Associates provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
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Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O'Sullivan Davies Lawyers provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Family Law Co. provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Paddington, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Feeney Family Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Paddington, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hulse Family Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
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.
