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.
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Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(96)Google rating from 96 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tasmania Legal Aid provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Family Law.
Partner & Family Visas+3 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Family Law · Mental Health & Guardianship TribunalFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(95)Google rating from 95 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Anchorage Legal provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Carew Counsel Solicitors provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
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Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Richard Zande & Associates provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
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Notting Hill, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(93)Google rating from 93 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
JK Lawyers provides legal services in Notting Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
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Morley, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(93)Google rating from 93 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lynn & Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Morley, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt RecoveryFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(93)Google rating from 93 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Optimum Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, 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 · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
CK Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
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Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Santone Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Employment Law · Criminal Law · Administrative & Government Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Partner & Family Visas
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Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Warna Legal provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Business & Commercial Law and Immigration & Visas.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
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Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(91)Google rating from 91 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Circle Bridge Legal provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
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Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(91)Google rating from 91 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Willis & Bowring provides legal services in Miranda, 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 · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · NDIS & Disability Law
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Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(90)Google rating from 90 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bamyan Lawyers provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Citizenship.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreFamily Law · Citizenship · Partner & Family Visas · Visa Refusals & Tribunal Appeals · Skilled & Business Visas · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody4 languages
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Fairfield, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(90)Google rating from 90 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
David Legal provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration5 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: arabic, greek, persian, vietnamese
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St Leonards, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(90)Google rating from 90 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Sunsolis Legal provides legal services in St Leonards, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Partner & Family Visas and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation
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Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Lawyers and Advocates provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Firearms & Licensing Matters
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Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Buckley Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction · Criminal Law · Residential Tenancy · Partner & Family Visas
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Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Joshi Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Partner & Family Visas.
Family Law+2 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Michelle Porcheron Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Willerby's Solicitors & Conveyancers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mill Park, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ANTHONYS SOLICITORS provides legal services in Mill Park, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Buying or Selling a Business
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.
