Family & Relationships lawyers in Darwin & Palmerston
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
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(118)Google rating from 118 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bryson Kelly Legal provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ward Keller Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Wills & Estates · Notary Public & JP Services
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moil, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northern Legal Services provides legal services in Moil, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+8 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Planning & Environment · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
K E Roussos and Associates Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top End Women's Legal Service provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Employment Law and Not-for-Profit & Charity Law.
Family Law+4 moreEmployment Law · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ward Keller Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Franchising · Workers Compensation · Notary Public & JP Services · Debt Recovery
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Aboriginal Legal Aid, Darwin provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Child Protection & Care Matters.
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
AFL Withnalls provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, italian
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ward Keller Lawyers provides legal services in Durack, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Wills & Estates · Notary Public & JP Services
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bowen Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. 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 languages
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Contested Wills & Family Provision, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Contested Wills & Family Provision+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Assault & Violent Offences
Holtham & Associates provides conveyancing services in Farrar, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Licensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer) and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreLicensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer) · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Commercial Property & Leasing · Agribusiness & Rural Law
Infinity Legal provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
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 Darwin & Palmerston
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 Darwin & Palmerston
Darwin, Palmerston and Casuarina are grouped for this directory search. For a workplace, tenancy or government-decision matter, identify the decision-maker or other party and gather the written notice before contacting a firm.
For family & relationships, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NT experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Darwin & Palmerston. 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.
