Divorce lawyers help you separate properly, apply for divorce and deal with the issues that follow.
firms
738
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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
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mahony's Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Medical Negligence.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Medical Negligence · Personal Injury · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mahony's Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Medical Negligence.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Medical Negligence · Personal Injury · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Divorce & SeparationFree first consult
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Moil, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northern Legal Services provides legal services in Moil, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+8 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Planning & Environment · General Practice (regional generalist)
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Chermside, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northside Family Law Centre provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Ulladulla, 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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Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Anna Nguyen Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Immigration & Visas.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barker & Barker provides conveyancing services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
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Rockingham, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Elite Family Law provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Temora, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Farrell Goode provides legal services in Temora, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement
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Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Nicholls Anzani Family Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas
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Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roberts Family Law provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forde, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Terry Johnson Legal provides legal services in Forde, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Corporate Law & M&A · General Practice (regional generalist)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Adams United Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Binding Financial Agreements, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Binding Financial Agreements+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Personal Injury · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kalamunda, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Alto Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Kalamunda, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cash and Stavroulakis Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
East Coast Conveyancing provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Binding Financial Agreements · Commercial Litigation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gramelis Attorneys provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burleigh Heads, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hunter Family Law provides legal services in Burleigh Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+4 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement
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.
