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.
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Mallacoota, 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.
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Lakes Entrance, 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.
Philip Gilderdale - Solicitor & Conveyancer provides legal services in Forbes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Drink & Drug Driving and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law
Povey Stirk Lawyers & Notaries provides legal services in Alice Springs, NT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Contract Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreContract Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
Premier Legal Services provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Prompt Settlements provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Property Settlement and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Property Settlement · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Strata & Body Corporate · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law
QLD Law Group provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Intellectual Property & Trade MarksNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
R & J LAWYERS provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: hindi, punjabi
R J Cole & Partners provides legal services in Christies Beach, SA. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Criminal Law and Personal Injury.
Partner & Family Visas+6 moreCriminal Law · Personal Injury · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Radcliff Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Springwood, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Reaburn Solicitors provides legal services in Burleigh Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
Reardon Family Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Relationships Australia Victoria provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Family Law.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law
Residential Settlements provides legal services in Burswood, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Strata & Body Corporate and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreStrata & Body Corporate · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas
Rice More & Gibson provides conveyancing services in Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Seaford, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Port Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
RMS Lawyers provides legal services in Brighton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration
Robert A. McHugh provides legal services in West Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
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.
