De facto lawyers advise unmarried couples on property, parenting and financial agreements.
firms
97
regions
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De facto couples have similar rights to married couples under the Family Law Act, subject to meeting the definition of a de facto relationship. In most states that means two years together, a child together, or significant contributions. Property claims must generally be made within two years of separation.
Why de facto relationships matters
De facto couples can have the same property and parenting rights as married couples, but only if the relationship meets the legal definition. Many don't realise their rights, or their exposure, until they separate.
The Australian context
The Family Law Act covers de facto couples in all states except Western Australia, where state law applies to property. Couples generally need two years together, a child, a registered relationship or substantial contributions to qualify.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooroy Legal Centre provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Catton & Tondelstrand Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Leach Legal - Family Lawyers Perth provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Surrogacy & Adoption · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Garden & Montgomerie provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Coronial Inquests · De Facto Relationships
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Whitelaw McDonald Personal Injury Lawyers - Newcastle provides legal services in Kotara, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Workers Compensation+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Public Liability · TPD & Superannuation ClaimsNo win, no fee
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooroy Legal Centre provides legal services in Cooroy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ideal Legal Services provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · De Facto Relationships2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rossi Simicic Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Catalyst Family Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ellis Lake Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Workers Compensation · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · De Facto Relationships · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Chapman & Smyth Family Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Bunbury, 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 · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody
Catalyst Family Lawyers provides legal services in Terrigal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Ellis Lake Lawyers provides legal services in Edgeworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Workers Compensation+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public LiabilityNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, japanese
Ellis Lake Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Workers Compensation · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · De Facto Relationships · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Fairfield Solicitors Pty Ltd t-as Watson Stafford Zipkis provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · De Facto Relationships · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
Pymble, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Fox & Staniland Lawyers provides legal services in Pymble, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Family Law · De Facto Relationships · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Contested Wills & Family Provision, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Contested Wills & Family Provision+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Assault & Violent Offences
Hugh Bowers Barrister & Solicitor provides legal services in Kew, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Brookvale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Jacqueline Townsend Solicitor provides legal services in Brookvale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Explain the relationship history, living arrangements and financial connections. The lawyer can assess which issues require advice without assuming the same pathway applies to every unmarried couple.
Ask about the relevant jurisdiction and requirements before relying on assumptions based only on the length of the relationship.
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 de facto relationships adviser
Which facts determine the available process?
What evidence should I gather about our arrangements?
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
Are de facto couples treated like married couples?
Largely, yes, for property and parenting under federal law, if you meet the de facto definition. Different rules apply for some matters under state law.
What is the time limit for de facto property claims?
Generally two years from the date of separation.
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.
