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.
Legal Point Lawyers & Migration Agent provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Notary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Immigration & VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin
Macarthur Law Group Pty Ltd provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Personal Injury6 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, spanish, hindi, tagalog, filipino
Macleay Coast conveyancing provides legal services in Macksville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in Milton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
McCormick Family Law provides legal services in Capalaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Family Property Settlement · Probate & Estate Administration
Michael K Lawyers provides legal services in Waurn Ponds, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Notary Public & JP Services.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation · Immigration & Visas · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Mines & Associates provides legal services in Wilston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation
MINK SETTLEMENT SERVICES provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Property Settlement.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Property Settlement · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Strata & Body Corporate2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
Moira Ryan Lawyers Pty Limited provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Morton & Morton Solicitors provides legal services in Eli Waters, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Personal Injury · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child CustodyNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
NashClavey - Mandurah provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Orange Family Support Service provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Orange Family Support Service provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Oxen Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+6 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese
Pentana Stanton Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation · Family Property Settlement · Wills & Estates · Divorce & SeparationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Perth Family Law Centre provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWorkers Compensation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWorkers Compensation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Property & Conveyancing
Reaburn Solicitors provides legal services in Burleigh Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
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.
