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
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Reardon Family Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Ballina, NSW · Northern Rivers
S P Lawyers Ballina provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Warners Bay, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Sharon Moore Solicitors provides legal services in Warners Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Springwood Lawyers provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Springwood Lawyers provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Morphett Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
SS Business Investments provides legal services in Morphett Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Haymarket, NSW · Sydney CBD
State Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Haymarket, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Lawyers provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Debt Recovery and Employment Law.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Sydney Process Server provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Business & Commercial Law.
Heatherbrae, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Terrace Care provides legal services in Heatherbrae, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Mile End, SA · Adelaide Metro
Tolis & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Mile End, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Bulimba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Universal Legal Recoveries provides legal services in Bulimba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Notary Public & JP Services and Property & Conveyancing.
Sandringham, VIC · South East Melbourne
Vic Rajah Family Lawyers Sandringham provides legal services in Sandringham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Northam, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
Vice Legal Karratha (Formerly Francis & Associates Lawyers) provides legal services in Northam, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
NSW · Mid North Coast
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Wellners Lawyers provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates 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.
