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
NSW · Eastern Melbourne
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Blackburn, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in Blackburn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Nunawading, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in Nunawading, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
Susan Green Legal Practice provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Berrinba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Fairlove & Goodman provides legal services in Berrinba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Springfield, QLD · Ipswich
GLG Legal Springfield provides legal services in Springfield, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Bruce Dulley Family Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Surrey Hills, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Gavan J Black provides legal services in Surrey Hills, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Richmond, NSW · Western Sydney
John Hall Lawyers provides legal services in Richmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Toongabbie, NSW · Western Sydney
Shal Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Toongabbie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Alex Mandry Family Lawyers Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
Brown & Baker Solicitors provides conveyancing services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Personal Injury.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Gale Family Law provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Gisborne, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Macedon Ranges Family Law provides legal services in Gisborne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Cardiff, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Impero Conveyancing provides legal services in Cardiff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Aspley, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
KLM Solicitors Brisbane City provides legal services in Aspley, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
KLM Solicitors Brisbane City provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Takchi & Associates Solicitors & Notaries provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Ward Keller Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Andrew Douglas Solicitors provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Pippa Colman Family Law provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Heidelberg, NSW · Northern Melbourne
Doug Parker & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Heidelberg, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Underwood, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Men's Legal Service provides legal services in Underwood, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Partner & Family Visas and Not-for-Profit & Charity Law.
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.
