Family & Relationships · Cairns & Far North
10 domestic violence & avos firms in Cairns & Far North, Queensland, including Cairns, Port Douglas, Atherton.
10 firms
Edge Hill, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Collier Lawyers provides legal services in Edge Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Each state has its own protection order scheme, called AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland and restraining orders in WA. Police can apply on your behalf, or you can apply yourself. A lawyer can explain the conditions, represent you at court and connect the order with any family law proceedings.
Protection orders can stop threats, contact and harassment quickly. For respondents, an order can affect housing, parenting time, firearms licences and some jobs.
Each state has its own scheme: AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland, restraining orders in WA and SA. Orders are made in state local or magistrates courts and are nationally recognised under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.
Understand the next step
Tell the lawyer whether you need protection, have been served with an application or already have an order. Use a safe method of contact and make the next hearing date clear at the outset.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. A directory enquiry is not an emergency service or confirmation that representation has been arranged.
Cairns, Port Douglas and Atherton bring together different Far North locations. For a property or business matter, tell the firm whether you are based locally, elsewhere in Australia or overseas.
For domestic violence & avos, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant QLD experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Cairns & Far North. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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.
In Queensland, most matters start in the Magistrates Court, with serious criminal and larger civil matters in the District and Supreme Courts. Tenancy, minor civil, building and guardianship disputes go to QCAT. Solicitors hold practising certificates from the Queensland Law Society, and complaints are handled by the Legal Services Commission.
Good to know
No. A protection order is a civil order. Breaching it, however, is a criminal offence.
Call 000. Police can make or seek urgent orders. For support, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours.
Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of Queensland. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Cairns Divorce Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Coral Coast Law provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Reaston Drummond Law provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
RK Law provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Rights In Action Inc provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, NDIS & Disability Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Nq Mobile Law Service provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Bail Applications.
Cairns, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Civic Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Tully, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Mary Salama Lawyer & Conveyancer Belmore provides legal services in Tully, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Building & Construction.
Innisfail, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Mary Salama Lawyer & Conveyancer Belmore provides legal services in Innisfail, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Building & Construction.
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.
Practising certificates in Queensland are managed by the Queensland Law Society. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.