Family lawyers advise on separation, parenting arrangements, property division and divorce.
firms
2,444
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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.
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. 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
Nolan's Law provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Medical NegligenceFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
NQ Legal provides legal services in North Ward, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
O'Connor & Co provides legal services in Ettalong Beach, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
O'DEA LAWYERS provides legal services in Mount Barker, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Workers Compensation and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreWorkers Compensation · Property & Conveyancing · Personal Injury · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Public Liability · Probate & Estate AdministrationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
OAKLEYS LAW provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Commercial Litigation.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
On Call Lawyers Australia provides legal services in Roma, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+5 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Orange Family Support Service provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Orange Family Support Service provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Orr & Associates provides legal services in Cranbourne West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates
Orr & Associates provides legal services in Mount Eliza, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates
Oxen Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+6 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese
Patrick Smith Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Paul Meehan provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Franchising · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment
Paul Stubbs Law Office provides legal services in South West Rocks, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction
Payne Butler Lang provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Peninsula Law Practice provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law
Pentana Stanton Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation · Family Property Settlement · Wills & Estates · Divorce & SeparationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Perth Family Law Centre provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Binding Financial Agreements.
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWorkers Compensation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Peter J Griffin & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Workers Compensation and Family Law.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWorkers Compensation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Property & Conveyancing
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Orbost, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Child Protection & Care MattersNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
