Family & Relationships
Divorce lawyers help you separate properly, apply for divorce and deal with the issues that follow.
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.
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.
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.
Divorce & Separation firms in the directory
738 firms
Bungalow, QLD · Cairns & Far North
MK Family Law provides legal services in Bungalow, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Movement Legal provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Property & Conveyancing.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Robinson McGuinness Family Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Unified Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Unified Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Rouse Hill, NSW · Hills District
Arcadian Legal provides legal services in Rouse Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Five Dock, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Allars Mottee Hannaford provides legal services in Five Dock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
AMT Legal provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Perth Cbd, WA · Perth CBD
Anne Payne provides legal services in Perth Cbd, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, De Facto Relationships and Divorce & Separation.
Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
EFFECTIVE LEGAL SOLUTIONS provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
FitzGerald and Browne Lawyers provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Franklin, ACT · Canberra
Infinity Legal provides legal services in Franklin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
KC & Co Law provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Leeming, WA · Perth South
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Leeming, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
CFS LEGAL provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Dawson Family Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Bairnsdale, VIC · Gippsland
Gippsland Community Legal Service provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Keating Kate Lawyer provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Surry Hills, NSW · Sydney CBD
Sydun & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Wagga Family Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Black Rock, VIC · South East Melbourne
Burrell Family Law provides legal services in Black Rock, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Crosby Brosnan & Creen provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
Devine Murdoch Lawyers [Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation] provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
J R Burns Law provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Understand the next step
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.
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
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.
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
