Family lawyers advise on separation, parenting arrangements, property division and divorce.
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2,444
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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
Midland, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ds Family Law provides legal services in Midland, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Surrogacy & Adoption
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James & Jaramillo Lawyers Wollongong provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Divorce & Separation · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Nzenza Legal and Migration Services provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Immigration & Visas+3 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law
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Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wood Marshall Williams provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Planning & Environment
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Peakhurst, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dph Lawyers provides legal services in Peakhurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
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Forster, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Drinkwater Criminal and Family Lawyers provides legal services in Forster, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Traffic Offences
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East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Education Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Employment Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers provides legal services in Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Education Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Employment Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northan Legal Sydney provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Banking & Finance · Family Law · Employment LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Coolangatta, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palm Law Group provides legal services in Coolangatta, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Terese Wacyk Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wallen Family Law provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Westjustice, Western Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Footscray, 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 consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Charlestown, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Charlestown Law Firm provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration
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.
