Parenting lawyers help separated parents agree on, or seek court orders for, where children live and how they spend time with each parent.
firms
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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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Kenmore, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Melrose Keys Lawyers provides legal services in Kenmore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Perth Wills Centre provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
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Warrnambool, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Warrnambool, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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Ulverstone, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
FRIEND & EDWARDS LAWYERS provides legal services in Ulverstone, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Property Settlement
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Good Legal provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
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South Bunbury, WA · South West
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rosemary Giles Family Lawyer provides legal services in South Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Seacliff Family Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · International Family Law & Hague AbductionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tajik Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship2 languages
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Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★2.7(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor & Barnes Solicitors provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Family Property Settlement
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Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Byron Family Law provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+5 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Child & Family Services Ballarat Inc. provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Family Law+6 moreParenting & Child Custody · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Partner & Family Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters · Building & Construction · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal
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Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coffs Law Co. provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment
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Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Final Law provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Red Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RedHill Legal provides legal services in Red Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Horsham, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Horsham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Traffic Offences
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Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wylde Family Law provides legal services in Geelong, 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.
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Balcatta, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Appius Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Probate & Estate Administration
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.
