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
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kalpaxis Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
My Legal Crunch Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Unfair DismissalFree first consult
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Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barram Family Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Military & Veterans Law · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Balgowlah, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Saxe O'Neill Family Lawyers provides legal services in Balgowlah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watts McCray Lawyers Hornsby provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing
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Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bruce Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
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Logan Central, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal Aid Queensland - Mount Isa provides legal services in Logan Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+8 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Technology, Privacy & Data · Divorce & Separation · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Property Settlement · General Practice (regional generalist)Free first consult
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Phillips Family Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Family Property Settlement
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Bathurst, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Steele & Co provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing · Divorce & Separation
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Newtown, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Trapski Family Law provides legal services in Newtown, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement · Binding Financial Agreements · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Building & Construction
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Williams Landing, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Trapski Family Law provides legal services in Williams Landing, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Family Property Settlement · Binding Financial Agreements · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brookwater, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
VM Family Law provides legal services in Brookwater, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mango Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Best Wilson Buckley Family Law provides legal services in Mango Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Camatta Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lane Cove, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fuentes Legal provides legal services in Lane Cove, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+2 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Family & Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
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Moonee Ponds, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kelly & McHale Family Lawyers provides legal services in Moonee Ponds, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Purcell and Purcell Pty Ltd provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★2.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rhonda Sheehy & Associates provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O'Sullivan Davies Lawyers provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Paddington, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Feeney Family Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Paddington, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bryant McKinnon Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
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.
