Divorce lawyers help you separate properly, apply for divorce and deal with the issues that follow.
firms
738
regions
16
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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
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
L&M Law provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Canberra City, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mazengarb Family Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra City, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sandgate, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northside Family Law Centre provides legal services in Sandgate, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter G Williams & Associates Solicitors & Notary provides legal services in Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation
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Victoria Park, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Prime Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Family Property Settlement · Binding Financial Agreements · Administrative & Government Law
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Nambour, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baldwins Lawyers provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cairns Divorce Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CLEON Legal (Family Lawyers and Domestic Violence Lawyers) provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing
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Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dot Legal Penrith provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Tax Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation
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North Lakes, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Journey Family Lawyers provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Family Property Settlement.
Family Law+4 moreDivorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing
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Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
North Queensland Women's Legal Service provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
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Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Spencer Alexander Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Binding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Buying or Selling a BusinessFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SR Family Law (formerly Spencer Ryan Family Law) provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Petrie, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers Brisbane Co provides legal services in Petrie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Henry Street Law provides legal services in Traralgon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt Recovery · Divorce & Separation · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
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Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Justice Family Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Binding Financial Agreements
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Batemans Bay, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mannion Lawyers provides legal services in Batemans Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and International Family Law & Hague Abduction.
Family Law+5 moreParenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mannion Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and International Family Law & Hague Abduction.
Family Law+5 moreParenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
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.
