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
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Farquhar Ian R & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Horsley Tim provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Murarrie, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in Murarrie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Torquay, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Morton & Morton Solicitors provides legal services in Torquay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Personal Injury.
St Clair, NSW · Western Sydney
Rafton Family Lawyers provides legal services in St Clair, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
AFL Withnalls provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Applecross, WA · Perth South
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Applecross, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Keating Kate Lawyer provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Partner & Family Visas.
Manly, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Manly, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Kim Wilson & Co provides legal services in Subiaco, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Family Property Settlement.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Wellners Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Belmont, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Fennelly Legal provides legal services in Belmont, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Ardross, WA · Perth South
Graeme A Ryan & Associates provides legal services in Ardross, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Caulfield North, VIC · South East Melbourne
Konstantin F. Tringas provides legal services in Caulfield North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Doncaster, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Luna & Xia Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Doncaster, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Berri, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
Thomas David provides legal services in Berri, SA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
Thompson Norrie Solicitors provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Torney Legal provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Toorak, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Adrian Abrahams Family Lawyers provides legal services in Toorak, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Carlton, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Higgins Legal provides legal services in Carlton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
Leckie Law provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Wills & Estates.
West Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
West Tamworth Legal provides legal services in West Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wingham, NSW · Mid North Coast
Anytime Conveyancing provides legal services in Wingham, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Mooloolaba, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Clear Path Family Law Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Mooloolaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
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.
