Family lawyers advise on separation, parenting arrangements, property division and divorce.
firms
2,444
regions
16
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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
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Parke Lawyers provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Family Law Co. provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Paddington, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Feeney Family Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Paddington, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hobart Community Legal Service provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Centrelink & Social Security and Planning & Environment.
Family Law+3 moreCentrelink & Social Security · Planning & Environment · Employment Law
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Toongabbie, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Papantoniou Blake Lawyers provides legal services in Toongabbie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consult
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Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Quinn Law Group provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Commercial Litigation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Commercial Litigation+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Administrative & Government Law · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Melton, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★3.2(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Saines Lucas Solicitors provides legal services in Melton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Workers Compensation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Workers Compensation · Medical Negligence · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury · Building & Construction · Employment LawNo win, no fee
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Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Westjustice, Western Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Family Law.
Partner & Family Visas+5 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bryant McKinnon Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
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 consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gladstone Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenny & Partners provides legal services in Gladstone Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingston, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Advocate Lawyers Kingston provides legal services in Kingston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cinque Oakley Bryant provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Commercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coulter Legal provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Tax Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · FranchisingFree 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
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.
