Family lawyers advise on separation, parenting arrangements, property division and divorce.
firms
2,444
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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.
Why family law matters
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.
The Australian context
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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hamilton, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Melville, Orton & Lewis Solicitors provides legal services in Hamilton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Debt Recovery and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDebt Recovery · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mitchell Family Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tewantin, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Anumis Legal provides legal services in Tewantin, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Banking & FinanceFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Aqua Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Asprey Lawyers provides legal services in West Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt Recovery · Partner & Family Visas · Insolvency & Restructuring
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baldwins Lawyers provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Slacks Creek, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Enlight Lawyers provides legal services in Slacks Creek, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Debt Recovery · Family Law · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers - Mount Waverley provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Insolvency & Restructuring · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marr Family Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+2 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tang Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drug Offences · Professional Negligence · Divorce & Separation · Assault & Violent Offences · Skilled & Business Visas · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Asquith, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Castle Lawyers provides legal services in Asquith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Elder Law & Aged Care · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hawthorn, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hassall Litigation Services provides legal services in Hawthorn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation and Family Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreCommercial Litigation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rush Family Law provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gravatt, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ARSHAD LAWYERS provides legal services in Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Divorce & Separation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burleigh Heads, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baxters Solicitors provides legal services in Burleigh Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Foster Johnson Family and Collaborative Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Partner & Family Visas and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+4 morePartner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child Custody · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dallas, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mohan Yildiz & Associates provides legal services in Dallas, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Robertson Hayles Lawyers provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Employment Law · De Facto Relationships · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Shepparton, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SMR Legal provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law
Understand the next step
A practical guide to family law
What to discuss at the first meeting
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.
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 family law adviser
Which issue should be addressed first?
Will you coordinate related property and estate work?
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
What are consent orders?
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.
Do I have to go to court?
Most family matters are resolved without a trial. Court becomes necessary when negotiation fails, when there is urgency, or when safety is at risk.
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.
