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
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
South Coast & Country Community Law provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Administrative & Government Law, Family Law and Immigration & Visas.
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Verge Legal 维智律师事务所 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Wise Family Lawyers provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
Anna Nguyen Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Immigration & Visas.
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
Annells Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Barker & Barker provides conveyancing services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
South Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
Benjamin & Robinson provides legal services in South Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Public Liability and Family Law.
Ulverstone, TAS · North West & West Coast
Cann Legal provides legal services in Ulverstone, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Catton Roderick Lawyers provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Personal Injury.
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
CH Legal provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Clarity Lawyers provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Coulter Legal provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Rockingham, WA · Perth South
Elite Family Law provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
Emalene Gemmell Family Law provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Parenting & Child Custody.
Temora, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Farrell Goode provides legal services in Temora, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
King Legal provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Charlestown, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Landmark Legal provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Morphett Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
Lincoln Chambers Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Morphett Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Mulligan Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Nicholls Anzani Family Lawyers provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Karratha, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
Oswald Legal provides legal services in Karratha, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
PATTERSON & CO FAMILY LAW provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Business & Commercial Law.
Hadfield, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Resolve Legal provides legal services in Hadfield, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Albany Creek, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Rittlaw provides legal services in Albany Creek, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
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.
