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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(98)Google rating from 98 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Freedom Family Law provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(98)Google rating from 98 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
LEAD Conveyancing Sunshine Coast provides conveyancing services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Strata & Body Corporate and Building & Construction.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreStrata & Body Corporate · Building & Construction · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Divorce & Separation
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Williams Landing, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(97)Google rating from 97 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
KPM Lawyers provides legal services in Williams Landing, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(95)Google rating from 95 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Anchorage Legal provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
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Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Carew Counsel Solicitors provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Richard Zande & Associates provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Michelle Porcheron Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hills Family Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rockdale, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
T&T Lawyers provides legal services in Rockdale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Immigration & Visas.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Debt Recovery · Divorce & Separation
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Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(83)Google rating from 83 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lyons Law Group provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Divorce & Separation · Centrelink & Social Security
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Carlton North, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(83)Google rating from 83 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RRR Lawyers provides legal services in Carlton North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Debt Recovery · Criminal Law · Building & Construction2 languages
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(80)Google rating from 80 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Honest Grace Legal provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Immigration & Visas · Debt Recovery · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hillcrest Family Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glen Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rayner Song Family Lawyers provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · 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.
