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.
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. 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 LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: korean
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Paramount Lawyers Vic Pty Ltd provides legal services in Truganina, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law · Unfair Dismissal · Tax Law · Debt Recovery · Employment Law
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Walcha, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+4 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Criminal Law
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Prestige Solicitors & Associates provides legal services in Wetherill Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreCriminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Domestic Violence & AVOs
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Rankin Ellison Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Wills & Estates and Workers Compensation.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreWills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sykes Pearson Miller provides conveyancing services in Noosa Heads, QLD. 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 · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Criminal Law
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Thompson Norrie Solicitors provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Family Property Settlement · Building & Construction · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Thurlow Fisher Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Building & Construction.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Traffic Offences · Insolvency & Restructuring
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Voumard Lawyers provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Defamation · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Medical NegligenceNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
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Australian Law Group provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Personal Injury and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 morePersonal Injury · Wills & Estates · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Brendan H Hardiman & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Franchising · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bridges Family Law Specialists provides legal services in Buderim, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Brown & Proudfoot provides legal services in Ararat, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Workers Compensation · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Partner & Family Visas · Family LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Chapman & Smyth Family Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Comino Prassas provides conveyancing services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Notary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Immigration & Visas
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Dev Smith Nguyen Lawyers provides legal services in Tanunda, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law
Frenchs Forest, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Divorce.com.au provides legal services in Frenchs Forest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+6 moreDivorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Building & Construction · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Evans G P & Englert provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: japanese
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hammond Legal provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Notary Public & JP Services · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Katherine Womens Information & Legal Service provides legal services in Katherine, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Partner & Family Visas and Human Rights & Discrimination.
Family Law+3 morePartner & Family Visas · Human Rights & Discrimination · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law
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.
