Family lawyers help with separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and dividing property. Most matters settle through negotiation or mediation, with court as the last step.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(140)Google rating from 140 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bazaliza Lawyers provides legal services in Potts Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Notary Public & JP Services · Mediation & Dispute Resolution2 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Heenan & Co provides legal services in Sydney, 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 · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tiyce & Lawyers provides legal services in Darlinghurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Binding Financial Agreements.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Business Lawyers & Advisers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dimocks Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Navado provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Banking & Finance · Tax Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Immigration & Visas · Elder Law & Aged CareFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
E.Law International provides legal services in Haymarket, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing7 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, cantonese, greek, italian, spanish, french
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
KP Lawyers & Barristers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lion Legal provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Family Property Settlement · Criminal Law
Aubrey F Crawley & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Benjamin & Leonardo Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Firearms & Licensing Matters2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian
Conley Pickering Pendleton provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+5 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services 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 · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Degree Attestation for UAE provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Notary Public & JP Services.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Notary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.9 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese, arabic, greek, italian, spanish, hindi, german, french
Diamond Conway provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Banking & Finance · Family Law · Personal Injury · Wills & Estates
Dora A. Jabbour provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation.
GMH Legal provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreCommercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Banking & Finance · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Business & Commercial Law3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, cantonese
Harris & Harris provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Justice Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Binding Financial Agreements6 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, vietnamese, arabic, hindi, punjabi
Kate Austin Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Family Property Settlement · Partner & Family Visas · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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 Sydney CBD
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 Sydney CBD
A city-centre address can be convenient for meetings, but it does not tell you which solicitor will handle the file. For a business transaction, employment issue or dispute, ask whether the team has experience with your particular industry and the size of the matter.
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 Sydney CBD. 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.
