Family lawyers help with separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and dividing property. Most matters settle through negotiation or mediation, with court as the last step.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Shoalhaven Family Law provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marriott Oliver provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sautelle White Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Family First Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burrill Lake, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Burrill Lake, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moruya, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fleming Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Moruya, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Ulladulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
South Coast & Country Community Law provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Administrative & Government Law, Family Law and Immigration & Visas.
Administrative & Government Law+2 moreFamily Law · Immigration & VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Batemans Bay, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mannion Lawyers provides legal services in Batemans Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and International Family Law & Hague Abduction.
Family Law+5 moreParenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mogo, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Mogo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bega, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★2.3(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Andrew Warren Associates provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sanctuary Point, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Sanctuary Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Milton, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Milton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
David Griffiths Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Property Settlement · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bega, NSW · South Coast
Jennifer Chalker Lawyer provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Parenting & Child Custody · General Practice (regional generalist)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Family law in Australia is mostly federal. Parenting and property matters run under the Family Law Act and are heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, or the Family Court of Western Australia in WA. A good family lawyer will explain your likely outcome early, push for a negotiated agreement where it's safe to do so, and prepare you properly if a court hearing is needed. Where there is family violence, they can also help you get protection orders from your state's local or magistrates court.
Why family law matters
Family breakdown is one of the most common reasons Australians need a lawyer, and decisions made early affect children and finances for years.
The Australian context
Family law is one of the few areas run federally, under the Family Law Act 1975, with separate protection order schemes in each state and a separate Family Court in Western Australia.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to family & relationships in South Coast
Choosing the right kind of assistance
Family matters often involve several decisions at once: living arrangements, children, immediate expenses, property and formally ending a marriage. A useful first consultation separates those issues and identifies what needs attention now. Tell the lawyer about safety concerns and existing orders before arranging discussions involving another person.
Working with a firm in South Coast
The South Coast directory area stretches across several separate towns, from Nowra and Ulladulla to Bega and Eden. An office somewhere in the region may still be a substantial journey from home.
For family & relationships, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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 & relationships adviser
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
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.
Is mediation compulsory?
For parenting disputes, you usually need a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner before filing in court, unless an exception applies such as family violence or urgency.
