Divorce lawyers help you separate properly, apply for divorce and deal with the issues that follow.
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Divorce formally ends a marriage. Parenting arrangements, property and financial support are separate issues, so ask which applications or agreements your circumstances require. Check eligibility, documents and dates before applying.
Why divorce & separation matters
Ending the marriage does not itself divide property or settle parenting arrangements. Property applications generally need to be made within 12 months after a divorce becomes final; obtain advice about the deadline and any exception that may apply.
The Australian context
Divorce is based on the breakdown of the marriage, rather than fault. The FCFCOA removed the counselling-certificate requirement for applicants married less than two years from 10 June 2025. Check the current application process with the relevant court; Western Australia has its own Family Court.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rockingham, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bay Vista Settlements provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration
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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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
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
Burrill Lake, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Burrill Lake, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Collective Family Law Group provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Victoria Point, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hooper & Mill Family Lawyers provides legal services in Victoria Point, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Millyard Family Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law
Understand the next step
A practical guide to divorce & separation
What to discuss at the first meeting
Ending a marriage and resolving parenting or financial arrangements are different tasks. Ask the lawyer to explain which applications or agreements you actually need and the sequence in which to address them.
Make sure a fixed divorce fee is not being mistaken for advice about dividing assets or arrangements for children.
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 divorce & separation adviser
Does this quote cover only the divorce application?
What related issues should be addressed separately?
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
Can we be separated under one roof?
Yes. You can be separated while still living in the same home, but you'll need extra evidence, usually affidavits, to show the relationship had ended.
How long does a divorce take?
Once filed, a divorce order usually becomes final one month and one day after it's granted. The overall time depends on court scheduling and whether there are children under 18.
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.
