Nine Newcastle and Hunter family law firms, from the CBD to Wallsend and Charlestown, with what each one suits, who the accredited specialists are, and where to get free help.
Google ratings checked 23 October 2026 · Updated 23 October 2026
Best for Separating couples with businesses, trusts or larger asset pools
The firm says it has supported Hunter clients since 1976 and names Graham Mullane AM and Robert Lindsay among its early partners.
Its family law team is led by two Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialists, Ashleigh John and Catherine Williams.
Mullane & Lindsay is listed in Doyle's Guide 2026 as a Leading family and divorce law firm for Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast, and Ashleigh John as a Leading lawyer.
Accredited family law specialists (2)Ashleigh John, Catherine Williams
Mullane & Lindsay has practised in Newcastle since 1976 and works from Hunter Street in the CBD. It covers business, property and estates work, but family law is one of its named practice groups. Managing director Ashleigh John and practice group leader Catherine Williams are both Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialists, with a senior associate, an associate and a lawyer behind them. The team handles property, parenting and financial agreements and attends family dispute resolution. It suits people with complex property pools. The firm says it starts with a confidential conversation.
Practising in Newcastle since 1976
Also worth knowing
The team advises and attends at family dispute resolution as well as handling property and parenting matters.
Lawyers
Ashleigh John, Managing Director Accredited family law specialist
Catherine Williams, Practice Group Leader, Family Law Accredited family law specialist
Best for Parents facing a contested children's matter
Director Michelle Gillard was admitted in 2010, has worked almost solely in family law since and completed a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) in 2013.
The firm names two accredited family law specialists, Michelle Gillard and Luke Shearston, and says its specialists are Law Society of NSW accredited.
Michelle Gillard is listed in Doyle's Guide 2026 as a Leading family and divorce lawyer for Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast, as she was in 2025.
Accredited family law specialists (2)Michelle Gillard, Luke Shearston
Fixed fee initial appointment for preliminary advice, with an estimate of the whole expected legal costs, according to the firm. In person or by video.
Office
Unit 24, 1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle NSW 2300
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Gillard Family Lawyers is a Newcastle family law firm with its head office on Honeysuckle Drive and a second office at Erina. Director Michelle Gillard has worked almost entirely in family law since 2010 and can act as an Independent Children's Lawyer. She and special counsel Luke Shearston are accredited family law specialists, and the firm says its specialists are accredited by the Law Society of NSW. The Newcastle office is set up to host mediations, giving clients a route to settle. It suits parents in contested children's matters. The first appointment is fixed fee, the firm says.
Also worth knowing
The firm says its Newcastle office has several meeting rooms built to host family law mediations.
Lawyers
Michelle Gillard, Director, Independent Children's Lawyer, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Accredited family law specialist
Luke Shearston, Special Counsel, Independent Children's Lawyer Accredited family law specialist
Delaney Roberts is a family law only firm led by founding and managing partner Anna Roberts, who says she has worked solely in family law for more than 20 years. It spun out of Roberts Legal in 2020 and runs from Hunter Street, with a second office in Sydney. Monique Allan and Clare McAteer are Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialists, and nine family lawyers work from Newcastle. The firm aims its work at professionals and business owners with trusts, companies and super funds in the pool. New clients start with a 90 minute Smart Start appointment.
Launched as a separate family law firm in 2020
Also worth knowing
The firm says it was listed in Doyle's Guide 2025 as a Recommended family and divorce law firm for Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast.
Lawyers
Consulting partner Amanda Crosbie also works from Newcastle but is accredited in business law, not family law.
Anna Roberts, Founding Partner and Managing Partner
Monique Allan, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
Clare McAteer, Special Counsel Accredited family law specialist
Linda Hackney, Special Counsel
Blaise Minter, Senior Associate
Simone Johnson, Associate Solicitor, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Best for Separating parents and couples who want a dedicated family law team
Angela Hebblewhite began in family law in 2008 and spent over nine years as a Judge's Associate in the Federal Magistrates Court before founding the firm in 2021.
The firm says senior associate Jessica Fordham is a NSW Law Society accredited specialist in family law.
Hebblewhite Lawyers is listed in Doyle's Guide 2026 as a Recommended family and divorce law firm for Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast, and Angela Hebblewhite as a Recommended lawyer.
Accredited family law specialist (1)Jessica Fordham
A fee applies to the first consultation and is confirmed when you book, according to the firm. A brief initial phone enquiry is free to make, and phone and video appointments are offered.
Office
24 Bolton Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hebblewhite Lawyers is a family law only firm on Bolton Street, set up in 2021 by principal solicitor Angela Hebblewhite. Before that she spent more than nine years as a Judge's Associate in what is now the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Senior associate Jessica Fordham is a Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialist, and the team runs to seven lawyers across Newcastle, Maitland and Forster. It suits people who want a dedicated family firm with court insight. A fee applies to the first consultation and is confirmed when you book.
Founded in 2021
Also worth knowing
It has offices in Newcastle, Maitland and Forster, and a team of seven lawyers.
Lawyers
The site doesn't say which office each lawyer works from.
Angela Hebblewhite, Principal Solicitor
Kate Chegwidden, Consultant
Jessica Fordham, Senior Associate Solicitor Accredited family law specialist
Kristie James, Senior Associate Solicitor
Sarah Forbes, Associate Solicitor
Montana Rumore, Associate Solicitor
Nina Baumann, Solicitor
Areas of family law handled
Divorce and separation
Property settlements
Parenting arrangements
Spousal maintenance
Binding financial agreements
Family mediation
Office
24 Bolton Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
Other details
Other offices
Maitland (Bulwer Street) and Forster (Wallis Street)
Best for Western suburbs clients with family businesses or trusts to divide
The firm says its origins date to 1875 and that it has practised family law since the Family Court began in 1975.
Matthew Carney and Hayden Carr are both Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialists, according to their profiles.
Hayden Carr holds a Master of Applied Family Law from the College of Law and has run contested matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court and the Children's Court.
Accredited family law specialists (2)Matthew Carney, Hayden Carr
The site doesn't state first consultation terms. It mentions JustFund litigation funding for property matters, repaid from the settlement.
Office
30 Dan Rees Street, Wallsend NSW 2287
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Baker Love says its origins go back to 1875, and it works from Dan Rees Street in Wallsend, in Newcastle's western suburbs. It is a full service practice, but family law has its own five lawyer team, and the firm says it has done family work since the Family Court opened in 1975. Director Matthew Carney and senior associate Hayden Carr are Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialists. The team is used to property matters that involve family businesses, trusts and companies. The site doesn't publish first consultation terms, so ask when you call.
Origins in 1875
Also worth knowing
The family team has five lawyers, from director to solicitor.
Lawyers
Matthew Carney, Director, family and criminal law Accredited family law specialist
Hayden Carr, Senior Associate, family law Accredited family law specialist
Leah Murphy, Senior Associate
Naomi Rizzoli, Associate, family law and estate planning
Kekeff & Associates is a small Bolton Street practice run by Zora Kekeff, who has led the firm since 2005 and has been admitted since 1992. Family law is her main work, and she is a Law Society of NSW accredited family law specialist as well as an accredited mediator and a registered family dispute resolution provider. The firm says it tries to settle out of court and takes on property cases with companies and trusts. It suits people who want one senior lawyer handling the file. Consultation terms aren't published.
Zora Kekeff principal since 2005
Also worth knowing
Zora Kekeff is listed in Doyle's Guide 2026 as a Recommended family and divorce lawyer for Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast, as she was in 2025.
Lawyers
Zora Kekeff is the only solicitor listed on the firm's site.
Zora Kekeff, Principal Solicitor, accredited mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Accredited family law specialist
Free, private and confidential first consultation, according to the firm. It says most people get a call back within 30 minutes. JustFund litigation funding is available for some property matters.
Office
2/400 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Conditsis Lawyers is a Gosford firm with a large criminal defence practice that opened a Hunter Street office in Newcastle in 2021, close to the family court. Its family law team is led by senior associate Caitlin Jones, who has practised only family law since admission. In Newcastle, senior associate Natalie Russell handles divorce, parenting and complex property, backed by associate Joshua Kershaw. The firm offers JustFund litigation funding for property matters. It suits people who want a larger firm with criminal lawyers on hand when family violence is involved. The firm says the first consultation is free.
Founded in Gosford in the early 1980s; Newcastle office opened in 2021
Also worth knowing
The firm offers a free first consultation and JustFund litigation funding for property matters.
Lawyers
Natalie Russell and Joshua Kershaw work from the Newcastle office; the site doesn't say where the rest of the family team works.
Caitlin Jones, Senior Associate and Family Law Team Leader
Natalie Russell, Senior Associate, Family Law (Newcastle)
Joshua Kershaw, Associate, Family Law (Newcastle)
Tegan Holroyd, Solicitor, Family Law
Areas of family law handled
Separation and divorce
Property settlements
Parenting arrangements
Spousal maintenance
De facto relationships
Child support
Prenuptial agreements
Mediation
Family law arbitration
Domestic and family violence
Office
2/400 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
Other details
Other offices
Gosford (main office), with satellite offices in Sydney CBD and Wollongong
First appointment free, according to the firm. Flexible payment options, and in suitable matters a fixed fee for each stage.
Office
Suite 1, 163 Pacific Highway, Charlestown NSW 2290
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Kilpatrick Hatton is a small Charlestown practice on the Pacific Highway, led by principal solicitors Peter Kilpatrick and Rose Charlton. It handles family law alongside conveyancing, wills and commercial work, and says it has over 25 years of experience. Its family pages cover divorce, property, children's matters, spousal maintenance and less common areas such as surrogacy and adoption. It suits Lake Macquarie and southern suburbs clients who want a local general firm close to home in Charlestown. The first appointment is free, and fixed fees per stage are possible.
Also worth knowing
Peter Kilpatrick and Rose Charlton are listed as principal solicitors.
Lawyers
The firm's site doesn't say which lawyers handle family law.
Peter Kilpatrick, Principal Solicitor
Rose Charlton, Principal Solicitor
Brendan Ellis, Senior Associate Solicitor
Sally Mackay, Associate Solicitor
Areas of family law handled
Divorce
Property settlements
De facto property
Children's matters
Relocation disputes
Child support
Parentage testing
Spousal maintenance
Surrogacy and adoption
Prenuptial agreements
Office
Suite 1, 163 Pacific Highway, Charlestown NSW 2290
Free, no obligation 15 minute initial call, according to the firm, with costings given after that. Phone, video and email consultations are offered. JustFund funding is available for some property matters.
Clarity Lawyers is a family law firm in the T&G Building on Hunter Street, a short walk from the Newcastle family court, with a Maitland office by appointment. Director Samantha Miller was admitted in NSW in 2001 and in England and Wales in 2002, has practised in Newcastle since 2016 and holds a Master of Applied Laws in family law. She leads a team of five other lawyers. The firm promises clients won't be passed around the office. It suits people who want a personal service close to court. The first step is a free 15 minute call.
Also worth knowing
The team lists six lawyers, including two senior associates.
Firm details come from each firm's own website. 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?
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How we compiled this list
We include firms with an office in Newcastle or nearby in the Hunter that do family law as a main part of their practice. Most are in the Newcastle CBD, Baker Love is in Wallsend and Kilpatrick Hatton is in Charlestown, and some also have offices in Maitland, Forster, on the Central Coast or in Sydney. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. We only name accredited specialists where the firm's site or the Law Society of NSW says the Law Society accredited them, and where we mention Doyle's Guide we name it. Free consultations and fee terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
No firm pays for its position on this page. The order is our own editorial judgement, and we write the descriptions ourselves, without firms editing 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. Rules are as published by the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Local Court of NSW and Legal Aid NSW in October 2026.
Where Newcastle family law cases are heard
Divorce, parenting and property cases go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. It has a Newcastle registry in the Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 61 Bolton Street. The registry counter is open 8:45am to 4:30pm and the phone lines 8:30am to 5pm.
Filing: divorce applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal
Enquiries: 1300 352 000 for time sensitive enquiries in business hours. Court staff can't give legal advice. For urgent after hours family law matters, such as a real risk that a child will be taken out of Australia before the next working day, the court's Contact us page gives the after hours line as (02) 9966 7988
Help in the building: Legal Aid NSW is on Level 4, and its duty solicitors give free family law advice to people without a lawyer, 9:30am to 4:30pm weekdays. You need to attend in person. Hunter Community Legal Centre also gives free family law help at the court, on (02) 4040 9120 or 1800 650 073. Check with the centre whether to book an appointment or walk in on your court date
Family Advocacy and Support Service: duty lawyers and support workers at the Newcastle registry for people affected by family violence who have a family law issue. Duty lawyer 1800 551 589, support for women 1800 11 3277, support for men 1300 00 3277
AVOs are a NSW matter and are heard in the Local Court, not the family court. Many cases settle through negotiation, mediation or family dispute resolution, so ask any lawyer you call how they approach settlement.
Time limits and court fees
What you need to do
The rule
Apply for divorce
After 12 months and 1 day of separation. You can be separated under one roof, with an affidavit explaining it
Property or spousal maintenance after a marriage
Within 12 months of the divorce taking effect. A divorce becomes final a little over a month after the order, unless the court shortens that
Property after a de facto relationship
Within 2 years of the relationship ending
Parenting orders
No deadline, but you generally need a family dispute resolution certificate first, and it's valid for 12 months
If you miss a property deadline, you can still apply if your former partner consents. Otherwise you need the court's permission, which is generally only given where refusing would cause hardship. Get advice before the deadline passes.
Court fees from 1 July 2026
Fee
Application for divorce
$1,170, or $390 at the reduced rate for eligible concession card holders or financial hardship
Application for consent orders
$215
Initiating application for final orders, parenting or property
$455
Initiating application for final orders, parenting and property
$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, you both have to qualify for the reduced fee. These are court fees only, on top of anything you pay a lawyer.
Family dispute resolution comes first
Before the court will hear an application for parenting orders, you generally need a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner. The certificate says whether the other parent refused or didn't attend, whether you both made a genuine effort or one of you didn't, or whether dispute resolution wasn't appropriate, or stopped being appropriate.
Since 10 June 2025, the court must reject a parenting application for filing if there's no certificate and no exemption has been granted. You claim an exemption by filing an affidavit explaining why you haven't got a certificate, and a registrar decides. Grounds include family violence or child abuse or a real risk of it, urgency, a recent serious breach of a parenting order, or someone being unable to take part effectively. Applications for consent orders don't need a certificate at all. The court can also refer you to dispute resolution at any stage.
Interrelate Family Relationship Centre: 495 Hunter Street, Newcastle, 1300 473 528. Its listing on Family Relationships Online names family dispute resolution and family law counselling
Legal Aid NSW Family Dispute Resolution Service: mediation for parenting and property disputes, with a lawyer able to go with you if you're eligible. There's no up front fee, but if you receive a cash payment of $30,000 or more in a property settlement you contribute to your lawyer's costs. Call LawAccess on 1300 888 529 to check if you're eligible
Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321, 8am to 8pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm Saturday. It can refer you to your nearest Family Relationship Centre
At 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.
What changed in family law in 2024 and 2025
Parenting, from 6 May 2024. The presumption of equal shared parental responsibility was removed. The law has never required equal time. Courts now look at a shorter list of best interests factors, starting with arrangements that keep the child and each carer safe, including from family violence. Before reopening a final parenting order, the court must consider whether circumstances have changed significantly and be satisfied that it's in the child's best interests, unless everyone agrees.
Property, from 10 June 2025. The steps a court follows are now set out in the Act: identify the property and debts, assess each person's contributions, consider current and future circumstances such as children's housing needs, and make orders that are just and equitable. Courts must consider the economic effect of family violence, and the definition now expressly names economic and financial abuse. Pets are treated separately, and the duty to fully disclose your finances is now in 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.
AVOs and the Hunter Local Courts
In NSW, protection orders are made under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007, by the Local Court. An apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO) protects someone in a domestic or family relationship with the defendant, and applies across Australia. An apprehended personal violence order (APVO) covers people with no domestic relationship, such as a neighbour.
Who applies: police can apply for you. If everyone to be protected is under 16, only police can apply, but an adult applying for themselves can include their children. You can also apply yourself at a Local Court registry
After an incident: police can get a provisional order straight away, made by a senior police officer or an authorised officer. Police must serve it on the defendant as soon as they can, and it can only be enforced against the defendant once it's served. The court can then make an interim order until the case is decided
How long: if the court doesn't set a period, an ADVO lasts 2 years by default, or 1 year if the defendant is under 18. The court can set a different period
Breaches: breaking an AVO is a crime, with up to 2 years in prison
At court: for matters first listed since 4 May 2026, each Local Court is to list AVO matters on a set day of its sitting week, to help support services be at court
Local Court
Address
Women's court advocacy service
Newcastle
343 Hunter Street. Registry 9am to 4:30pm
Newcastle WDVCAS, (02) 4940 8766
Belmont
530 Pacific Highway
Newcastle WDVCAS, (02) 4940 8766
Toronto
140 to 142 Cary Street
Newcastle WDVCAS, (02) 4940 8766
Maitland
High Street
Hunter Valley WDVCAS, (02) 4936 2906
Raymond Terrace
Corner of William and Adelaide Streets
Hunter Valley WDVCAS, (02) 4936 2906
Cessnock
223 Maitland Road
Hunter Valley WDVCAS, (02) 4936 2906
All six courts share the phone number 1300 679 272. The Hunter Valley service also covers Dungog, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Scone and Singleton courts. The statewide Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service number is 1800 938 227.
Coercive control. Since 1 July 2024, it's a crime in NSW for an adult to use a pattern of abusive behaviour to coerce or control a current or former intimate partner, with a maximum of 7 years in prison. The offence is under review, with a report due to be tabled in Parliament in July 2027.
Tell your family lawyer about any AVO or application, because it sits alongside any family law orders. In an emergency call 000. The NSW Domestic Violence Line is 1800 65 64 63.
Choosing a Newcastle family lawyer, and free help
Most family lawyers charge by the hour, and some offer fixed fees for set jobs like a divorce application or consent orders. If your legal costs are likely to be more than $750, your lawyer must tell you in writing how they'll charge and what it's likely to cost. No win, no fee agreements can't be used for proceedings under the Family Law Act, and lawyers can't charge a percentage of your settlement.
Look for an accredited specialist. The Law Society of NSW accredits solicitors as family law specialists after extra assessment. It isn't required to practise, and you can search for one with the Law Society's Find a Lawyer service.
Match the firm to your matter. A property pool with a business or trusts needs different experience from a parenting dispute or an AVO.
Check where you'll meet. Most firms on this list are in the Newcastle CBD, but Baker Love is in Wallsend and Kilpatrick Hatton is in Charlestown. Some firms also have offices in Maitland, Forster, on the Central Coast or in Sydney, so ask which lawyer will run your file and where.
LawAccess NSW: 1300 888 529, 9am to 5pm weekdays. Free legal information and referrals, and the number to check eligibility for Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW, Newcastle (civil and family law): Level 2, 51 to 55 Bolton Street, Newcastle, (02) 4929 5445
Family law duty lawyers: Legal Aid NSW has family law duty lawyers at the family law courts when they're sitting. You don't need to qualify for legal aid, and they help with urgent problems such as a child not being returned or a threat to take a child overseas
Hunter Community Legal Centre: free family law help at the Newcastle court for people who don't have a lawyer and can't get legal aid, on (02) 4040 9120 or 1800 650 073. Check with the centre whether to book an appointment or walk in on your court date
Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit: 1800 979 529
Family Law Service for Aboriginal Communities: (02) 9407 2941
Legal Aid NSW Child Support Service: 1800 451 784 from outside Sydney
Newcastle family law: common questions
Is there a family court in Newcastle?
Yes. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has a registry in the Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 61 Bolton Street. The counter is open 8:45am to 4:30pm, and Legal Aid NSW duty solicitors on Level 4 give free family law advice to people without a lawyer, 9:30am to 4:30pm weekdays. Divorce applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
How long do I have to apply for a property settlement?
If you were married, within 12 months of your divorce taking effect. If you were in a de facto relationship, within 2 years of it ending. 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 family dispute resolution certificate, or a registrar must grant an exemption, for example because of family violence, child abuse or urgency. In Newcastle, Interrelate runs the Family Relationship Centre at 495 Hunter Street, on 1300 473 528. Property matters don't need a certificate, but the court expects you to try to settle first.
Does the law say children should spend equal time with each parent?
No. The law has never required equal time, and since 6 May 2024 there's no longer a presumption of equal shared parental responsibility. The court decides what's in the child's best interests, starting with safety.
How do I get an AVO in Newcastle?
Ask police to apply for you, or apply yourself at a Local Court registry, such as Newcastle Local Court at 343 Hunter Street or the courts at Belmont, Toronto, Maitland, Raymond Terrace and Cessnock. Police can get a provisional order straight after an incident. The Newcastle Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, on (02) 4940 8766, covers Newcastle, Belmont and Toronto courts.
Which firms on this list have accredited family law specialists?
Six of them, according to their own websites. Mullane & Lindsay names Ashleigh John and Catherine Williams, Gillard Family Lawyers names Michelle Gillard and Luke Shearston, Delaney Roberts names Monique Allan and Clare McAteer, Hebblewhite Lawyers names Jessica Fordham, Baker Love names Matthew Carney and Hayden Carr, and Kekeff & Associates names Zora Kekeff. Each is described as accredited in family law by the Law Society of NSW.
Can I get free family law help in Newcastle?
Yes. Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to check if you're eligible for Legal Aid NSW, which has a civil and family law office at Level 2, 51 to 55 Bolton Street, on (02) 4929 5445. At the family court, Legal Aid duty solicitors and Hunter Community Legal Centre give free advice to people without a lawyer.
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.
