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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Business Lawyers & Advisers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
IATLawyer provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Notary Public & JP Services · Citizenship · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in Newstead, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dimocks Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Railway Estate, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Turnbull Cameron provides legal services in Railway Estate, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cape to Cape Lawyers Busselton office provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
UNIVERSAL LAWYERS Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bushnell & Power Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Crosby Brosnan & Creen provides legal services in Proserpine, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MYRIALLAKIS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cahill & Rowe Family Law provides legal services in Geelong West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Freeman York Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Divorce & Separation · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bilson Law - Family Lawyer provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Property Settlement.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Davey Law provides legal services in Eatons Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Family Property Settlement · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Henry Family Lawyers provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Divorce & Separation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lockett McCullough Lawyers Noosa provides legal services in Carrara, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Oak Fair Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Divorce & Separation3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: cantonese, mandarin
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.
