Cairns & Far North
Family lawyers help with separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and dividing property. Most matters settle through negotiation or mediation, with court as the last step.
29 firms
Atherton, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Atherton Family Lawyers provides legal services in Atherton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Atsils Cairns provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Cairns, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Civic Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Innisfail, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Mary Salama Lawyer & Conveyancer Belmore provides legal services in Innisfail, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Building & Construction.
Tully, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Mary Salama Lawyer & Conveyancer Belmore provides legal services in Tully, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Building & Construction.
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.
Family breakdown is one of the most common reasons Australians need a lawyer, and decisions made early affect children and finances for years.
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
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.
Cairns, Port Douglas and Atherton bring together different Far North locations. For a property or business matter, tell the firm whether you are based locally, elsewhere in Australia or overseas.
For family & relationships, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant QLD experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Cairns & Far North. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
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.
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.