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
Bairnsdale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(118)Google rating from 118 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Pace & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Traralgon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stephen Peterson Lawyers provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Criminal Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Child Protection & Care Matters · Traffic Offences · Administrative & Government Law · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tyler Tipping and Woods provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Miceal Ambrose Lawyers provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★2.7(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor & Barnes Solicitors provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law · Family Property Settlement
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bairnsdale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gippsland Community Legal Service provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Divorce & Separation · Planning & Environment · Centrelink & Social Security
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Henry Street Law provides legal services in Traralgon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt Recovery · Divorce & Separation · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Littleton Hackford provides legal services in Sale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Drouin, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wakefield Lawyers provides legal services in Drouin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(142)Google rating from 142 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Wakefield Lawyers provides legal services in Wonthaggi, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Traffic Offences · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Criminal Law · Employment LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Traffic Offences · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Bairnsdale, 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 fee
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Trembath & Associates provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Bail Applications+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Administrative & Government Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languages
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Prior Law provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Notary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hibbert & Hodges provides legal services in Lakes Entrance, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Banking & Finance · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Agribusiness & Rural LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.2(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Sale, 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 consult
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Christine J Shanahan - Davine Shanahan Fitzpatrick provides legal services in Hazelwood North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Australian Red Cross provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Military & Veterans Law, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Partner & Family Visas.
Military & Veterans Law+4 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Partner & Family Visas · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
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.
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 Gippsland
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 Gippsland
Gippsland includes Warragul, Morwell, Traralgon, Sale and Bairnsdale. A regional label can hide a considerable difference in travel, so check the actual office and whether your matter requires regular in-person contact.
For family & relationships, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Gippsland. 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.
