Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Petherick Cottrell provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Family & Relationships · Perth South
43 family law firms in Perth South, Western Australia, including Fremantle, Rockingham, Mandurah, Armadale.

43 firms
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Petherick Cottrell provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
A family lawyer's early advice shapes everything that follows: what a fair property split looks like for your circumstances, how parenting time is likely to be arranged, and which steps must happen before court. Most matters resolve through negotiation or mediation, with consent orders making the agreement binding.
Separation affects where children live, the home, super and future finances. Decisions made in the first months, often informally, can shape the final outcome, so early advice avoids costly mistakes.
Family law is federal. The Family Law Act 1975 governs parenting and property for married and most de facto couples, heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, except in Western Australia, where the Family Court of WA hears these matters. Parenting disputes usually require family dispute resolution before court.
Understand the next step
Start by separating immediate arrangements from longer-term decisions. A family-law consultation can identify whether parenting, finances, divorce or personal safety requires a separate step, and who should advise on each.
A general family-law engagement should specify which issues it covers rather than promising to resolve every consequence of separation.
Fremantle, Rockingham, Mandurah and Armadale span a wide southern Perth search area. Compare the actual suburb and service scope before treating a listing as a convenient local option.
For family law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant WA experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Perth South. 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.
Western Australia is the only state with its own family court: the Family Court of Western Australia hears parenting and property matters for both married and de facto couples. Other matters start in the Magistrates Court, with the District and Supreme Courts for serious cases, and the State Administrative Tribunal for planning, guardianship and many licensing reviews. Lawyers are admitted and regulated by the Legal Practice Board.
Family Law firms in Perth South
Good to know
Consent orders are an agreement about parenting or property that the court makes into formal, enforceable orders without a hearing. Both parties must agree and sign.
Most family matters are resolved without a trial. Court becomes necessary when negotiation fails, when there is urgency, or when safety is at risk.
Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Family law matters are heard by the Family Court of Western Australia.

Canning Vale, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Canning Vale, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Sivan Legal provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Rockingham, WA · Perth South
Allen & Jasnic Lawyers provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.

Canning Vale, WA · Perth South
Askew & Co Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Canning Vale, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law.
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Morgan Alteruthemeyer Legal Group provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Debt Recovery and Business & Commercial Law.
Cox Legal provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Farquhar Ian R & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.

Applecross, WA · Perth South
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Applecross, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Ardross, WA · Perth South
Graeme A Ryan & Associates provides legal services in Ardross, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Aherns Lawyers provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Applecross, WA · Perth South
Anthony R Clarke & Associates provides legal services in Applecross, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Property Settlement.
Como, WA · Perth South
Consent Order Lawyers provides legal services in Como, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.

O'connor, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in O'connor, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.

Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
NashClavey - Mandurah provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Probate & Estate Administration.
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Peninsula Law Practice provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.

Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.

NSW · Perth South
Prompt Settlements provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Property Settlement and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
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 Western Australia are managed by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.