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
Preston, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Mark M.Morgan provides legal services in Preston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Camden, NSW · Western Sydney
Mason Parkes Lawyers provides legal services in Camden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Commercial Litigation.
Gunnedah, NSW · New England & North West
McArthur Legal Services provides legal services in Gunnedah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
National Legal provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Narromine, NSW · Central West & Orana
Nelson Keane & Hemingway Solicitors provides legal services in Narromine, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Bright, VIC · Hume & North East
Nevin Lenne Gross provides legal services in Bright, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Nharo Legal provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Child Protection & Care Matters, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Nedlands, WA · Perth CBD
O'Sullivan Law provides legal services in Nedlands, WA. Listed practice areas include Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Binding Financial Agreements and Family Law.
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Point Cook Family Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Broken Hill, NSW · Far West
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Broken Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Ormeau, QLD · Gold Coast
Rubicon Law provides legal services in Ormeau, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
Ryan & Ryan Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Saines Lucas Solicitors provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Workers Compensation.
NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Sapphire Legal provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law.
Eden, NSW · South Coast
Sautelle White Lawyers provides legal services in Eden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Manly, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
SJ Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Manly, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Eastwood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Sojong Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Eastwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
Soubris & Associates provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Busselton, WA · South West
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Spains Solicitors provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Family Law 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.
