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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(226)Google rating from 226 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Saundh, Singh & Smith Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Corporate Law & M&A.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Insolvency & Restructuring · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(222)Google rating from 222 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
James & Jaramillo Lawyers Wollongong provides legal services in Sydney, 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 · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle West, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(221)Google rating from 221 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Next Legal and Conveyancing Pty Ltd provides legal services in Newcastle West, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(220)Google rating from 220 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brightstone Legal provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Notary Public & JP Services and Immigration & Visas.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Immigration & Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Tax Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(220)Google rating from 220 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
RAI Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(219)Google rating from 219 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marsdens Law Group provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Medical Negligence
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(217)Google rating from 217 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
State Law Group provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Personal Injury.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(207)Google rating from 207 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
AKN & Associates provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(207)Google rating from 207 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Atlas Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury · Education Law · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
South Melbourne, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(200)Google rating from 200 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Batten Sacks provides legal services in South Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation · Immigration & Visas · Insolvency & Restructuring · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(194)Google rating from 194 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hickman Family Lawyers Perth provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(192)Google rating from 192 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carl Edwards Solicitor provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+6 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Property & Conveyancing · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Centrelink & Social SecurityFree 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(192)Google rating from 192 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vstar Lawyers and Consultants provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Immigration & Visas.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(188)Google rating from 188 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Criminal and Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreFamily Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(184)Google rating from 184 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
AMAN Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Debt Recovery and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreDebt Recovery · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(178)Google rating from 178 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
BARDO LAWYERS provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Immigration & Visas and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Spring Hill, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(171)Google rating from 171 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Wickham Lawyers provides legal services in Spring Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Administrative & Government Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreAdministrative & Government Law · Property & Conveyancing · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Traffic Offences · Citizenship · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Narellan, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(170)Google rating from 170 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Narellan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Commercial LitigationNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cranbourne West, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(170)Google rating from 170 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Sharma Solicitors and Conveyancers Cranbourne provides legal services in Cranbourne West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Litigation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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.
