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.
Kovacevic Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
KPA Lawyers provides legal services in Sandringham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Building & Construction · Commercial Property & LeasingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Craigieburn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Lee Dalton & Associates provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+8 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Debt Recovery · General Practice (regional generalist)
Legal Point Lawyers & Migration Agent provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Notary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Immigration & VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin
Local Lawyers provides legal services in Williamstown North, VIC. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
General Practice (regional generalist)+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Huskisson, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Medical Negligence · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public LiabilityNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Corrimal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Medical Negligence · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public LiabilityNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Luk & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Insolvency & Restructuring · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Family Law · Administrative & Government Law · Insurance Law & Disputes
Lyttletons Lawyers provides legal services in Dingley Village, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law
Macarthur Law Group Pty Ltd provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Personal Injury6 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, spanish, hindi, tagalog, filipino
Macleay Coast conveyancing provides legal services in Macksville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment
Macpherson Family Law provides legal services in Milton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Madden Solicitors (Rockhampton) provides legal services in Yeppoon, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Personal Injury · Skilled & Business Visas
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in Epping, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Mahons with Yuncken & Yuncken Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Mark Brown & Associates provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Matthews Williams provides legal services in Condobolin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Debt Recovery · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration
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.
