Family lawyers advise on separation, parenting arrangements, property division and divorce.
firms
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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
C V Martin Legal Services provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Probate Lawyers provides legal services in Nundah, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Real Property Conveyancers NSW provides conveyancing services in Griffith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Licensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer)
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sussex Street Law Service provides legal services in East Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include NDIS & Disability Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
NDIS & Disability Law+2 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Elliott & Harvey Lawyers provides legal services in Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Heenan & Co provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Douglas Hoskins Legal provides legal services in Hackham, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government Law · Binding Financial Agreements
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Douglas Hoskins Legal provides legal services in North Brighton, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government Law · Binding Financial Agreements
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Halyburton Legal provides legal services in Warners Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Johnson's Solicitor's provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Traffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scammell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Port Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Criminal LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Voumard Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Personal Injury · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Parenting & Child CustodyNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bevan & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Drink & Drug Driving · Probate & Estate AdministrationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bickell & Mackenzie provides legal services in Redland Bay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Commercial Property & Leasing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(72)Google rating from 72 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Springwood Lawyers provides legal services in Burleigh Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Adelta Legal provides legal services in College Park, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship5 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, italian, spanish, french
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hall & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Debt Recovery · Traffic Offences · Personal Injury
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hannaway Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(70)Google rating from 70 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hansons Lawyers provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Debt Recovery.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Debt Recovery · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · De Facto Relationships2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(70)Google rating from 70 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lindbloms Lawyers provides legal services in Unley Park, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Partner & Family Visas and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Medical NegligenceFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.3 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(70)Google rating from 70 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lindbloms Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Partner & Family Visas and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Medical NegligenceFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.3 languages
Hornsby, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(69)Google rating from 69 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Francis Legal provides legal services in Hornsby, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+2 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing
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.
