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.
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Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
WMD Law provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Assault & Violent Offences · Strata & Body Corporate · Notary Public & JP ServicesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(895)Google rating from 895 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Smythe & Mallam provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Criminal Law+7 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Traffic Offences · Business & Commercial Law · Drink & Drug Driving5 languages
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(570)Google rating from 570 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lyn Johnston Conveyancing provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(556)Google rating from 556 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Justice Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Personal Injury+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Medical Negligence · Workers Compensation · Family Law · Criminal Law · Competition & Consumer LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(476)Google rating from 476 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
BSG Lawyers & Notary Public Adelaide provides legal services in Walkerville, SA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(392)Google rating from 392 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville provides legal services in Hyde Park, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(387)Google rating from 387 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
GMH Legal provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreCommercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Banking & Finance · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Family LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(365)Google rating from 365 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Immigration & Visas · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Traffic Offences · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(337)Google rating from 337 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Preston Law Cairns provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Workers Compensation · Family Law · Employment Law · Building & Construction · Family Property SettlementNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(312)Google rating from 312 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top Gun Conveyancing provides legal services in Whiteside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+2 moreCommercial Property & Leasing · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(295)Google rating from 295 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
J.A. Carroll Solicitors Murgon provides legal services in Kingaroy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(290)Google rating from 290 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cusack Galvin & James provides legal services in Strathpine, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto RelationshipsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(282)Google rating from 282 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Commodore Conveyancing provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Divorce & Separation · Contract Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.4 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(271)Google rating from 271 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Allen & Jasnic Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(252)Google rating from 252 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
West Perth Property Settlements provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Property Settlement and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Property Settlement · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Commercial Property & Leasing · Strata & Body Corporate
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(245)Google rating from 245 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Butler McDermott Lawyers Nambour provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Commercial Litigation · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(243)Google rating from 243 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Workers Compensation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law
Manly, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(233)Google rating from 233 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Manly, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★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, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Notary Public & JP ServicesNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
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.
