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.
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Preston, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lakey Family Law and Mediation provides legal services in Preston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Melbourne Law Studio provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Taperell Rutledge Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Orbell Family Lawyers Central Coast provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
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Mclaren Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Fisher Lawyers provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Smith Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
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Hawthorn, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clancy & Triado provides legal services in Hawthorn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
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Beverly Hills, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
First Choice Family Lawyers provides legal services in Beverly Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
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East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Best Wilson Buckley Family Law provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & GuardianshipFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BARDO LAWYERS provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas
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Rhodes, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Eden King Lawyers provides legal services in Rhodes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Debt RecoveryFree first consult
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North Fremantle, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Meillon & Bright Family Lawyers Fremantle provides legal services in North Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Eliza, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Village Family Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Eliza, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Redline Legal 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 · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Defamation · Employment Law · Divorce & SeparationNo win, no fee
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Keilor, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rodriguez Family Lawyers provides legal services in Keilor, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law2 languages
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.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
