Family & Relationships
Family lawyers advise on separation, parenting arrangements, property division and divorce.
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.
Family Law firms in the directory
2,444 firms
Sandringham, VIC · South East Melbourne
Vic Rajah Family Lawyers Sandringham provides legal services in Sandringham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Northam, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
Vice Legal Karratha (Formerly Francis & Associates Lawyers) provides legal services in Northam, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
NSW · Mid North Coast
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Moranbah, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
Wallace & Wallace Lawyers provides legal services in Moranbah, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Ciccone, NT · Alice Springs & Central
Ward Keller Lawyers provides legal services in Ciccone, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Pendle Hill, NSW · Western Sydney
Warren & Warren Incorporating the office of Adrian G Byrne provides legal services in Pendle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Helensburgh, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Warren & Warren Incorporating the office of Adrian G Byrne provides legal services in Helensburgh, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
Warren & Warren Incorporating the office of Adrian G Byrne provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Smithfield, SA · Adelaide Metro
Websters Lawyers provides legal services in Smithfield, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Eastwood, SA · Adelaide Metro
Websters Lawyers provides legal services in Eastwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Christies Beach, SA · Adelaide Metro
Websters Lawyers provides legal services in Christies Beach, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Ridgehaven, SA · Adelaide Metro
Websters Lawyers provides legal services in Ridgehaven, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Wellners Lawyers provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
Western Suburbs Compensation Lawyers - McDonnell Schroder provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
West Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
William Roberts Lawyers provides legal services in West Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Toronto, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Williams Roncolato Lawyers provides legal services in Toronto, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Banking & Finance.
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
Woodward Wickes Wicken provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
ZK Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Toorak, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Zolis Lawyers provides legal services in Toorak, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
