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
Ascot, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Futureproof Co provides legal services in Ascot, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Broadmeadow, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
East Coast Conveyancing provides legal services in Broadmeadow, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Litigation
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hulse Family Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
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Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Indigo Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, De Facto Relationships and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+4 moreDe Facto Relationships · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing
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Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Alexander Botten & Associates provides conveyancing services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Property & Conveyancing+2 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation
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Petrie, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barton Family lawyers provides legal services in Petrie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
South Coast Family Law Group provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Benn Hill provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Binding Financial Agreements
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Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cherry Family Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Surrogacy & Adoption and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Midland, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ds Family Law provides legal services in Midland, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Surrogacy & Adoption
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James & Jaramillo Lawyers Wollongong provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Divorce & Separation · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Coolangatta, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palm Law Group provides legal services in Coolangatta, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Terese Wacyk Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McGuinness Legal provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Orman Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing
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.
