TOP 10LAWYERS
Menu
Home
Areas of lawCar Accident LawyersCivil LawyersConstruction LawyersCriminal LawyersDrink Driving LawyersEmployment LawyersEstate Planning LawyersFamily LawyersImmigration LawyersMedical Negligence LawyersPersonal Injury LawyersProperty LawyersSolicitorsTraffic LawyersAll areas of law
SydneyAll Sydney lawyersFamily Lawyers SydneyCriminal Lawyers SydneyPersonal Injury Lawyers SydneyCar Accident Lawyers SydneyImmigration Lawyers SydneyTraffic Lawyers SydneyDrink Driving Lawyers SydneyCivil Lawyers SydneySolicitors SydneyProperty Lawyers SydneyConstruction Lawyers SydneyEmployment Lawyers SydneyWills and Estate Planning Lawyers SydneyMedical Negligence Lawyers Sydney
MelbourneAll Melbourne lawyersFamily Lawyers MelbourneCriminal Lawyers MelbournePersonal Injury Lawyers MelbourneCar Accident Lawyers MelbourneImmigration Lawyers MelbourneTraffic Lawyers MelbourneDrink Driving Lawyers MelbourneCivil Lawyers MelbourneSolicitors MelbourneProperty Lawyers MelbourneConstruction Lawyers MelbourneEmployment Lawyers MelbourneWills and Estate Planning Lawyers MelbourneMedical Negligence Lawyers MelbourneBusiness & Commercial Lawyers Melbourne
BrisbaneAll Brisbane lawyersFamily Lawyers BrisbaneCriminal Lawyers BrisbanePersonal Injury Lawyers BrisbaneCar Accident Lawyers BrisbaneImmigration Lawyers BrisbaneTraffic Lawyers BrisbaneDrink Driving Lawyers BrisbaneCivil Lawyers BrisbaneSolicitors BrisbaneProperty Lawyers BrisbaneConstruction Lawyers BrisbaneWills and Estate Planning Lawyers Brisbane
PerthAll Perth lawyersFamily Lawyers PerthCriminal Lawyers PerthPersonal Injury Lawyers PerthCar Accident Lawyers PerthImmigration Lawyers PerthTraffic Lawyers PerthDrink Driving Lawyers PerthCivil Lawyers PerthSolicitors PerthConstruction Lawyers PerthEmployment Lawyers PerthWills and Estate Planning Lawyers PerthMedical Negligence Lawyers Perth
AdelaideAll Adelaide lawyersFamily Lawyers AdelaideCriminal Lawyers AdelaidePersonal Injury Lawyers AdelaideCar Accident Lawyers AdelaideImmigration Lawyers AdelaideTraffic Lawyers AdelaideCivil Lawyers AdelaideSolicitors AdelaideConstruction Lawyers AdelaideEmployment Lawyers AdelaideWills and Estate Planning Lawyers Adelaide
Gold CoastAll Gold Coast lawyersFamily Lawyers Gold CoastCriminal Lawyers Gold CoastPersonal Injury Lawyers Gold CoastCar Accident Lawyers Gold CoastImmigration Lawyers Gold CoastTraffic Lawyers Gold CoastSolicitors Gold CoastProperty Lawyers Gold Coast
CanberraAll Canberra lawyersFamily Lawyers CanberraCriminal Lawyers CanberraPersonal Injury Lawyers CanberraImmigration Lawyers CanberraCivil Lawyers CanberraSolicitors CanberraProperty Lawyers Canberra
DarwinAll Darwin lawyersFamily Lawyers DarwinCriminal Lawyers DarwinPersonal Injury Lawyers DarwinImmigration Lawyers DarwinCivil Lawyers Darwin
HobartAll Hobart lawyersFamily Lawyers HobartCriminal Lawyers HobartPersonal Injury Lawyers HobartImmigration Lawyers HobartTraffic Lawyers HobartCivil Lawyers HobartSolicitors Hobart
Sunshine CoastAll Sunshine Coast lawyersFamily Lawyers Sunshine CoastCriminal Lawyers Sunshine CoastSolicitors Sunshine Coast
Regional centresNewcastleSunshine CoastCentral CoastWollongongGeelongTownsvilleCairnsToowoombaBallaratBendigoLaunceston
How we rank Contact Us

Top 10 Family Lawyers in Brisbane

Ten Brisbane family law firms, with what each one suits, who the accredited specialists are, and how to get in touch.

Google ratings checked 18 October 2026 Updated 23 October 2026

How we compile this list

Find a firm for your situation

Choose what fits you best to see which firms on this list cover it.

Grouped by what each firm publishes about its own work. Most firms on this list handle all common family law matters.

The Top 10 Family Lawyers in Brisbane

Ten family law firms in Brisbane, with their experience, accredited specialists, Google ratings and what each one suits.

Some firms pay for featured placements, which can affect their position. Our write-ups are our own. How we rank

Phillips Family Law

Brisbane City (Ann Street)Family law only

5.0

33 Google reviews

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for Property settlements involving trusts, companies, businesses or rural land

  • Tony Phillips has over 40 years' experience. His profile lists trust and corporate structures, large rural properties, farming ventures and businesses.
  • Fiona Caulley was President of the Family Law Practitioners' Association of Queensland from 2016 to 2018 and has sat on the Independent Children's Lawyer panel.
  • Gives second opinions and advises third parties caught up in a family law property dispute.

Accredited family law specialists (5)Tony Phillips, Fiona Caulley, Belinda Jeffrey, Dharma Gan, Elizabeth Mathews

(07) 3007 9898Visit website
First consultation
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate
Office
Level 2, King George Central, 145 Ann Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

One of Brisbane's longest running family law firms, operating since 1984, and the only independent firm in Doyle's Guide's 2026 first tier for Brisbane family law. Family law is all it does. The firm lists five accredited family law specialists, including founder Tony Phillips and director Fiona Caulley. It also gives second opinions, which is useful if you already have a lawyer and want a check on the advice you've been given.

Also worth knowing

  • Belinda Jeffrey has a particular interest in parenting matters involving grandparents.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

  • Tony Phillips, Director Accredited family law specialist
  • Fiona Caulley, Director Accredited family law specialist
  • Belinda Jeffrey, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
  • Dharma Gan, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
  • Elizabeth Mathews, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Collaborative law
  • International family law

Office

Level 2, King George Central, 145 Ann Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000

Sources

Back to the list

Unified Lawyers

Brisbane City (Eagle Street), plus the Gold Coast, Sydney and MelbourneFamily law only

4.8

33 Google reviews (Brisbane office)

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for Clients who want to deal with a lawyer in a language other than English

  • The site lists Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Hindi, Sinhala, Greek, Portuguese and Italian as languages spoken across the firm.
  • Every new client gets a free initial consultation.
  • Brisbane partner Crispian Carlowe teaches in the College of Law's Master of Applied Law (Family Law) program.

Accredited family law specialist (1)Crispian Carlowe

1300 667 461Visit website
First consultation
Free first consultation. JustFund litigation funding available
Office
Suite 4A, 167 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

One of the bigger family law only firms on the east coast, with more than 45 family lawyers across nine offices. The Brisbane team is led by partner Crispian Carlowe, an accredited family law specialist through the Queensland Law Society who has practised only family law since 2008. The scale shows in the service list, which covers high net worth property pools, overseas assets and even cryptocurrency, alongside everyday parenting and divorce work. The first consultation is free.

Also worth knowing

  • The Brisbane page names six local lawyers, including a partner, a special counsel and two senior associates.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

  • Crispian Carlowe, Partner Accredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Financial agreements
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Mediation
  • Family violence
  • International family law

Office

Suite 4A, 167 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Other details

Other offices
Offices in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, among others listed on the site
Languages
Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Hindi, Sinhala, Greek, Portuguese, Italian (firm-wide statement)

Sources

Back to the list

LGM Family Law

Brisbane City (Eagle Street) and AshgroveFamily law only

4.4

19 Google reviews (city office)

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for People who want a small family law only practice that publishes its prices up front

  • Publishes prices for the first consultation, divorce applications and consent orders. Filing fees are extra.
  • The first consultation comes with a Separation Action Plan: a settlement plan with a projected timetable and a family law guide.
  • Run by Lezah Gildea-Marega, who holds a Masters in Applied Family Law.
(07) 3506 3651Visit website
First consultation
Free 15 to 20 minute phone call, then a fixed price first consultation of up to 1.25 hours
Office
Level 38, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

A small family law only practice run by Lezah Gildea-Marega, who holds a Masters in Applied Family Law. It's one of the few Brisbane firms that publishes prices for common jobs, including the first consultation, divorce applications and consent orders. The first consultation comes with a separation action plan. The Ashgrove office has free underground parking, handy if you'd rather not go into the city.

Also worth knowing

  • A second office in Ashgrove with free underground parking, if you'd rather not go into the city.
  • A free 15 to 20 minute phone call before you book anything.

Lawyers

  • Lezah Gildea-Marega, Legal Practitioner Director
  • Kiah Gant, Associate

Areas of family law handled

  • Property settlement
  • Superannuation splits
  • Divorce
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Separation advice
  • De facto relationships
  • Same sex relationships
  • Domestic and family violence

Office

Level 38, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Other details

Other offices
Ashgrove (240 Waterworks Road)

Sources

Back to the list

MacDonald Law

Brisbane City (George Street), plus Toowoomba and the Gold CoastFamily law and other areas

5.0

12 Google reviews

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for People who might qualify for legal aid, and separated parents who need help making parenting orders work

  • A Legal Aid Queensland preferred supplier since the firm began, which matters if you might qualify for a grant of legal aid.
  • Sarah-Jane MacDonald is a parenting coordinator, helping separated parents put final parenting orders into practice without going back to court.
  • Accredited with JustFund, which can lend money for legal fees, repaid once the property settlement is complete.

Accredited family law specialist (1)Sarah-Jane MacDonald

(07) 3114 2222Visit website
First consultation
Flexible payment arrangements. JustFund litigation funding
Office
Suite 1205, Level 12, 239 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

A family owned firm that started in Toowoomba around 20 years ago and now has offices in Brisbane's CBD and on the Gold Coast. Director Sarah-Jane MacDonald is an accredited family law specialist and a parenting coordinator, a role that helps separated parents put parenting orders into practice without going back to court. The firm is also a Legal Aid Queensland preferred supplier, which matters if you might qualify for a grant of legal aid.

Also worth knowing

  • Sarah-Jane MacDonald is Deputy President of the Queensland Law Society from 1 January 2026.
  • The firm also does criminal law, civil litigation, property and wills, so family law is one of several practice areas.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

The firm's team page doesn't say which office each lawyer works from.

  • Sarah-Jane MacDonald, Legal Practitioner Director Accredited family law specialist
  • Tegan Crighton, Associate Solicitor
  • Natalie Eschler, Solicitor
  • Shane MacDonald OAM, Mediator and Conveyancer

Areas of family law handled

  • Parenting arrangements
  • Property settlement
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Divorce
  • Domestic violence orders
  • Financial agreements
  • Consent orders and parenting plans
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Collaborative law
  • Surrogacy
  • Adoption
  • International family law
  • Parenting coordination

Office

Suite 1205, Level 12, 239 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Other details

Other offices
Toowoomba and the Gold Coast

Sources

Back to the list

DA Family Lawyers

Brisbane City (North Quay)

4.7

78 Google reviews

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for Parenting and children's matters, including child protection, international child abduction and surrogacy advice

  • The firm lists managing director Lisa Foley in Doyle's Guide 2026 as preeminent for parenting and children's matters.
  • Handles child protection and Childrens Court proceedings, international child abduction and surrogacy advice.
  • Special counsel Kate Palmer has been a Queensland Law Society accredited family law specialist since 2021.

Accredited family law specialist (1)Kate Palmer

(07) 3238 5900Visit website
First consultation
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate
Office
Level 8, 193 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

A family law firm on North Quay, the same street as the Brisbane family court registry. The firm lists managing director Lisa Foley in Doyle's Guide as preeminent for parenting and children's matters, and that's where the firm is strongest. Its service list covers surrogacy advice, international child abduction and child protection matters in the Childrens Court, which not every family firm handles. Special counsel Kate Palmer is an accredited family law specialist.

Also worth knowing

  • Managing special counsel Neal Wood is a nationally accredited mediator.
  • New clients can start online through an intake portal.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

  • Lisa Foley, Managing Director
  • Neal Wood, Managing Special Counsel
  • Kate Palmer, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
  • Erin Cunningham, Senior Associate
  • Sharni Embrey, Senior Associate
  • Michaela Jewell, Associate

Areas of family law handled

  • Parenting disputes and parenting orders
  • Family dispute resolution
  • Parenting plans
  • Surrogacy advice
  • International child abduction
  • Child support
  • Child protection and Childrens Court
  • Collaborative law
  • Property settlement
  • De facto property settlement
  • Financial agreements
  • Domestic violence applications
  • Divorce

Office

Level 8, 193 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000

Sources

Back to the list

Pullos Lawyers

Brisbane City (North Quay), with its main office in SouthportFamily law and other areas

4.4

26 Google reviews (Southport office)

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for Couples who want to settle out of court through collaborative practice or mediation

  • Cassandra Pullos co-founded the Queensland Association of Collaborative Professionals and was its founding president.
  • She has been an accredited family law specialist since 1996 and is a nationally accredited mediator and arbitrator.
  • A free 30 minute first consultation, and JustFund funding for legal fees, repaid at settlement.

Accredited family law specialists (2)Cassandra Pullos, Alice Carter

(07) 3144 1641Visit website
First consultation
Free 30 minute first consultation. JustFund legal fee funding
Office
Level 10, 95 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Pullos is the collaborative law specialist on this list. Founder Cassandra Pullos has been an accredited family law specialist since 1996, is a nationally accredited mediator and arbitrator, and co-founded the Queensland Association of Collaborative Professionals. In collaborative law, both people and their lawyers work to settle out of court, so it suits couples who want to keep things civil. The firm is based in Southport, there's a Brisbane office on North Quay, and the first 30 minutes are free.

Also worth knowing

  • Special counsel Alice Carter is also an accredited family law specialist.
  • Its LGBTQIA+ law work covers parenting, separation, surrogacy and gender identity matters.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

The firm's team page doesn't say which office each lawyer works from.

  • Cassandra Pullos, Managing Director Accredited family law specialist
  • Katherine Smallshaw, Director, collaboratively trained lawyer
  • Alice Carter, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
  • Carmela Alitin, Associate

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Financial agreements
  • International family law
  • Domestic violence
  • Mediation
  • Parenting coordination
  • Arbitration
  • Collaborative practice
  • LGBTQIA+ family law

Office

Level 10, 95 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000

Other details

Other offices
Southport (27 Garden Street)

Sources

Back to the list

Michael Lynch Family Lawyers

Brisbane City (Queen Street), plus SouthportFamily law only

4.4

69 Google reviews

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for People who want family law only lawyers and a fixed price for the first meeting

  • Every solicitor at the firm works only in family law.
  • A fixed price first consultation of about 90 minutes, face to face, by phone or by video, with cost estimates if you go ahead. The price depends on the lawyer's seniority.
  • Lists farming, rural and regional matters, useful if a farm or regional property is part of the picture.

Accredited family law specialists (2)Debra Effeney, Sarah Flower

(07) 3221 4300Visit website
First consultation
Fixed price first consultation of about 90 minutes. JustFund available after that
Office
Level 25, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

In Brisbane's CBD since 1996, with a second office in Southport. Every solicitor at the firm works only in family law, and it lists special counsel Debra Effeney and Sarah Flower as accredited family law specialists. Pricing is clear up front: the first consultation runs about 90 minutes at a fixed price, which depends on how senior the lawyer is. It also lists rural matters, handy if a farm or regional property is part of the picture.

Also worth knowing

  • In Brisbane's CBD since 1996, with a second office in Southport.
  • Head of Family Law Alecia Featherstone is an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

The firm doesn't say which office every lawyer works from.

  • Alecia Featherstone, Head of Family Law
  • Debra Effeney, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
  • Sarah Flower, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
  • Stephanie Smith, Special Counsel
  • Shaun Kolo, Special Counsel
  • Zoe Busch, Senior Associate

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Superannuation
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Adult child maintenance
  • Spousal maintenance
  • De facto separation
  • Domestic violence
  • Financial agreements
  • Family mediation
  • Adoption
  • Grandparents
  • Child abduction
  • International family law
  • Farming, rural and regional

Office

Level 25, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

Other details

Other offices
Southport (36 Marine Parade)

Sources

Back to the list

Page Provan

Brisbane City (North Quay), plus Sydney and MelbourneFamily law only

4.6

22 Google reviews

Checked 18 October 2026

Best for Surrogacy, fertility and parenting matters, including for LGBTIQ families

  • Practises only family and fertility law. Stephen Page lists surrogacy and fertility law, domestic violence and acting for LGBTIQ people as his sub-specialties.
  • Stephen Page has appeared in surrogacy cases in Queensland, NSW, Victorian and South Australian courts, starting in 1988.
  • Bruce Provan has been a nationally accredited mediator since 2016 and has a particular interest in property matters.

Accredited family law specialists (2)Stephen Page, Bruce Provan

(07) 3221 9751Visit website
First consultation
First consultation charged at a reduced rate (amount not published). Zoom or phone consultations available.
Office
Level 10, 95 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

An accredited specialist practice since 1988, best known for fertility and surrogacy law alongside everyday family law. Managing director Bruce Provan has been an accredited family law specialist since 1999, and director Stephen Page since 1996. Stephen Page is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. If your matter involves surrogacy, IVF or donor arrangements, or you're part of an LGBTIQ family, this is the firm on the list that focuses on it most.

Also worth knowing

  • Stephen Page is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

Lawyers

Specialist accreditation checked on the Queensland Law Society register on 9 October 2026.

  • Stephen Page, Director Accredited family law specialist
  • Bruce Provan, Managing Director Accredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • Mediation
  • Family violence
  • Surrogacy

Office

Level 10, 95 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000

Other details

Other offices
Sydney (Level 9, 903/50 Clarence Street) and Melbourne (Level 8, 805/220 Collins Street)

Sources

Back to the list

Firm details come from each firm's own website and the Queensland Law Society register. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Not sure which firm suits you?

Tell us a little about your matter and we'll put you in touch with a Brisbane family lawyer. It's free and there's no obligation.

How we compiled this list

We include firms with a Brisbane office that do family law as a main part of their work. For each firm we checked the details against its own website and its Google Business listing in October 2026, and we show Google ratings with the date we checked them.

Some firms pay for a featured listing, which affects where they appear on this page. Payment doesn't buy the write-up. We write those ourselves, and firms don't get to edit them. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer about your situation.

Where Brisbane family law matters are heard

Divorce, parenting and property cases in Brisbane go through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Its Brisbane registry is in the Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts at 119 North Quay, on the corner of Tank Street. The court has two divisions, and some fees are higher in Division 1.

Domestic violence orders work differently. They're a Queensland matter, so you apply at any Magistrates Court in the state, and there's no fee to apply. A lawyer, a police officer, a friend or a family member can apply on your behalf.

Family court fees from 1 July 2026

What you're filingFee
Application for divorce$1,170
Application for divorce, reduced fee (eligible concession card holders or financial hardship)$390
Application for consent orders$215
Initiating application, parenting or financial, final orders only$455
Initiating application, parenting and financial, final orders only$740
Conciliation conference$510
Setting down a defended matter for hearing$820 in Division 2, $1,115 in Division 1

Fees are set by the Family Law (Fees) Regulations 2022 and usually rise each 1 July. For a joint divorce application, both of you have to qualify for the reduced fee. These are court fees only, on top of anything you pay a lawyer.

Time limits you can't ignore

MatterThe rule
DivorceYou must have been separated for at least 12 months before applying.
Property or spousal maintenance after a marriageApply within 12 months of your divorce becoming final. You can apply any time before the divorce.
Property or spousal maintenance after a de facto relationshipApply within 2 years of the relationship ending.
Missed the deadlineYou need your former partner's consent or the court's permission. Permission is generally only given where refusing would cause hardship.
Parenting ordersNo deadline, but you generally need a family dispute resolution certificate first. It's valid for 12 months.

What changed in family law in 2024 and 2025

Parenting, from 6 May 2024. The presumption of equal shared parental responsibility was removed. Equal time was never a legal requirement, and the court now works through a shorter list of factors when it decides what's in a child's best interests. Independent children's lawyers must now meet children over 5 directly, with some exceptions.

Property, from 10 June 2025. The Family Law Act now sets out the steps the court follows when dividing property. The court must consider the economic effect of family violence where it's relevant, and economic or financial abuse is now part of the definition of family violence. There's a new framework for deciding who keeps the family pet, and the duty to disclose your finances has moved from the court rules into the Act itself.

The 2024 parenting changes and the 2025 property framework apply to existing cases too, unless the final hearing had already started. The new duty of disclosure in the Act applies to cases started on or after 10 June 2025. Get advice that reflects the current law.

What a Brisbane family lawyer costs

There's no standard price. Most Brisbane family lawyers charge by the hour, and some offer fixed fees for set jobs like a divorce application, consent orders or a first consultation. Cost depends far more on whether your matter settles than on which firm you pick: a property matter resolved by consent orders costs a fraction of one that runs to a defended hearing.

In Queensland, for most matters a law firm has to tell you in writing how it will charge you and give you an estimate of the total cost, and it must tell you in writing if that estimate changes substantially. Ask for it before you sign anything.

How to choose a family lawyer in Brisbane

  1. Check they're practising. Search the solicitor's name on the Queensland Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool.
  2. Look for an accredited specialist. The Queensland Law Society accredits family law specialists. To keep the title they must spend at least a quarter of their practice on family law and complete ongoing training in it every year.
  3. Match the firm to your matter. A complex property pool with a business or trusts needs different experience from a parenting dispute or a domestic violence matter.
  4. Get the costs in writing. Ask for the hourly rate of everyone who'll work on your file and an estimate of the total.
  5. Ask who does the work. Find out who will run your file day to day and who goes to court or mediation with you.
  6. Ask about settling out of court. Mediation, collaborative law and arbitration are often faster and cheaper than a hearing.

Free and low-cost family law help in Brisbane

  • Legal Aid Queensland: 1300 65 11 88, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Free legal information and advice. In domestic violence matters it can arrange dispute resolution meetings where you don't have to be in the same room as your ex.
  • Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321, 8am to 8pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Information and referrals for separating families.
  • Family Relationship Centres: information and individual sessions are free, and so is the first hour of joint family dispute resolution. The second and third hours cost $30 an hour if you earn $50,000 or more.
  • If you're not safe: call 000. For women's refuge accommodation, call DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811.

Brisbane family law: common questions

How long after separating can I get divorced in Queensland?

You have to be separated for at least 12 months before you can apply. The application fee is $1,170 from 1 July 2026, or $390 if you qualify for the reduced fee.

Is there a time limit for a property settlement?

Yes. If you were married, you must apply within 12 months of your divorce becoming final. If you were in a de facto relationship, the deadline is 2 years after it ended. After that you need your former partner's consent or the court's permission, which is generally only given where refusing would cause hardship.

Do I have to try mediation before going to court?

For parenting orders, generally yes. You need a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner showing you attended or tried to, or that mediation wasn't appropriate. Without one, the court has to grant an exemption, for example because of family violence, child abuse or urgency, or the registry won't accept the application.

Does equal shared parental responsibility still apply?

No. The presumption of equal shared parental responsibility was removed from 6 May 2024. The court now focuses on a shorter list of best interests factors, and equal time was never a legal requirement.

How much does it cost to file in the family court?

From 1 July 2026, a divorce application costs $1,170 ($390 reduced), consent orders cost $215, and an initiating application for final orders costs $455 for parenting or property, or $740 for both. Legal fees are on top.

Can I get free family law advice in Brisbane?

Yes. Legal Aid Queensland gives free legal information and advice on 1300 65 11 88. The Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 can point you to mediation and support services, and the first hour of joint mediation at a Family Relationship Centre is free.

What is an accredited family law specialist?

A solicitor the Queensland Law Society has assessed and accredited as a specialist in family law. To keep accreditation they must spend at least 25 per cent of their practice on family law and complete at least 15 CPD points a year, at least 10 of them in family law.

General information only, not legal advice.

Looking in another city? See all our family lawyers by city, with a plain English guide to how it works.

Related pages

Sources for the legal information on this page