Initial consultations at a reduced fixed price that varies with the lawyer's experience, according to the firm. The office phones you to set the appointment.
Office
47 Ingham Road, West End QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Diane Ruhl opened this firm in June 2016 and it has done nothing but family law and domestic violence work since. She is a former Supreme Court judge's associate and an Independent Children's Lawyer, and the firm says Doyle's Guide has listed her every year since 2016. The team now runs to four solicitors plus support staff, which is a solid bench for a Townsville boutique. It suits people with contested parenting or property matters who want a firm that lives in the Family Court. First appointments are offered at a reduced fixed price, according to the firm.
Founded in June 2016
Also worth knowing
The team page lists four solicitors and four paraprofessionals.
Lawyers
Diane Ruhl, Founding Principal and Director
Daisy Stone, Associate
Taylah Lamont, Family Lawyer
Jessica Bethel, Family Lawyer
Areas of family law handled
Separation advice
Divorce applications
Parenting arrangements and orders
Property settlement
Consent orders
Domestic violence protection orders
Contested Family Court proceedings
Independent Children's Lawyer appointments
Wills and enduring powers of attorney after separation
Confidential consultation by appointment. Contact the firm for fee terms.
Office
416 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Connolly Suthers is one of Townsville's larger local firms, and its family law group is a real department rather than a sideline. Two partners, Tanya Morris and Bo Ryan, lead a team of five, and Special Counsel Julie Bligh is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and a nationally accredited mediator, according to the firm. That mix makes it a good fit for property settlements with business or farming assets, and for people who want mediation tried properly before court. The firm offers a confidential first consultation by appointment.
Also worth knowing
The firm has a second office in Ayr for Burdekin clients.
Lawyers
Tanya Morris, Partner
Bo Ryan, Partner
Julie Bligh, Special Counsel, Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Qld) Accredited family law specialist
Fixed fee first appointment for family law, according to the firm.
Office
Level 1, 225-229 Flinders Street East, Townsville QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Pat O'Shea and Mark Dyer started this firm in 1983 and it is now owned by four directors, two of whom run the family law side. Jodi Dingwall has practised family law since 2007 and Emma Donald since 2015, and both work only in family law and are collaboratively trained. The firm keeps to three areas and says each lawyer sticks to one, which shows in the focus of the family team. It suits people who want a long standing local firm with senior lawyers on the file. First family law appointments are a fixed fee.
Founded in 1983
Also worth knowing
Family law first appointments are charged at a fixed fee.
Lawyers
Jodi Dingwall, Director, Family Law
Emma Donald, Director, Family Law
Areas of family law handled
Property settlement
Children and parenting arrangements
Child support
Separation and divorce
Domestic violence orders
Consent orders
Mediation
Collaborative family law
Family Court representation
Office
Level 1, 225-229 Flinders Street East, Townsville QLD 4810
Fixed fee initial consultation, not time limited, according to the firm. Appointments in person or by Microsoft Teams.
Office
1/147 Boundary Street, Railway Estate QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Kate Pateman started KLP Family Law in 2012 and has more than 20 years in practice. The firm now trades as klplegal and has added wills and estates, but separation, parenting and divorce remain the core of the work. She is collaboratively trained and appeared on Doyle's list of family lawyers in North and Central Queensland for several years, the firm says. It is a one lawyer practice, so it suits clients who want the principal handling their matter personally. Initial consultations are a fixed fee with no set time limit.
Founded in 2012
Also worth knowing
Property work covers transfers, stamp duty exemption checks and refinancing referrals.
Free 20 minute initial consultation, then an optional longer consultation with written advice. Fixed fees for set tasks such as consent orders, according to the firm.
Office
Level 2/280 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Kyle Barram runs this small family law only firm on Flinders Street and covers Mount Isa clients as well. He worked as a senior investigator for the Queensland government before law and has 13 years of experience, the firm says. A point of difference in a garrison city is its work on military invalidity pensions in property splits. It suits Defence families and anyone who values quick replies, with the firm aiming to answer within a day. There is a free 20 minute first chat and fixed fees for set tasks such as consent orders.
Also worth knowing
The principal has over 13 years of experience, the firm says.
Lawyers
The site names only the principal.
Kyle Barram, Principal
Areas of family law handled
Property settlement negotiations
Property settlement proceedings
Property consent orders
Parenting and custody proceedings
Parenting consent orders
Binding financial agreements
Binding child support agreements
Divorce applications
Military invalidity pensions in family law
Office
Level 2/280 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Other details
Other offices
Serves Mount Isa clients (no Mount Isa office listed)
Confidential first consultation with a fee estimate given at that meeting, according to the firm. Phone and video consultations are available, and fixed fees are offered where appropriate.
Office
150 Walker Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Crosby Brosnan Creen has practised in Townsville since 1976 and now trades as CBC Lawyers. Michael and Sandra Clive bought the firm in 2009 and merged it with Sandra's own practice in 2011. Sandra runs the litigation department, which includes the family team, and the firm says it now has five full time family solicitors. The family pages cover everything from divorce and consent orders to shuttle mediation for high conflict matters. It suits people who want a sizeable local team. You get a fee estimate at the first consultation, and phone and video meetings are available.
Founded in 1976
Also worth knowing
Shuttle mediation is offered for high conflict or safety concern matters.
Lawyers
The site doesn't list its family solicitors by name beyond the principal.
Sandra Clive, Principal, head of litigation including family law
Fixed fee initial consultation with a senior family lawyer, according to the firm.
Office
Ground Floor, 25 Sturt Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Strategic Lawyers is a growing full service firm headquartered on Sturt Street, led by principal Justin Ireland. Family law is one of its main pages and covers separation, parenting, property, spousal maintenance and domestic violence. The first meeting is a fixed fee consultation with a senior family lawyer, according to the firm, and it says its phones are answered around the clock for urgent matters. The site also lists locations from Charters Towers and Ayr to Mackay and Cairns. It suits people who want a bigger team and quick access. Ask who will run your file day to day when you book.
Also worth knowing
Its family page covers parenting plans, property, spousal maintenance and domestic violence.
Lawyers
The site lists its lawyers but doesn't say which of them practise family law.
Justin Ireland, Principal Lawyer
Areas of family law handled
Divorce and separation
Parenting plans
Children's matters
Property settlements
Spousal maintenance
Domestic violence matters
Mediation and dispute resolution
Family Court proceedings
Office
Ground Floor, 25 Sturt Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
Other details
Other offices
Lists Charters Towers, Mackay, Cairns, Mission Beach, Mt Isa, Ayr, Bowen, Ingham, Brisbane and Gold Coast as locations
Donnie Harris Law is best known as a business firm, and the firm says its director is an Accredited Specialist in Business Law (Qld). It also runs a two lawyer family team. Senior Associate Rayarna Richey works only in family law and was admitted in 2014 after earlier years in the legal industry, and Adriane Bushby also practises in family law and domestic violence. The business side is useful when a separating couple owns a company, trust or farm. The firm says it prefers early settlement and mediation. Contact the firm for first consultation terms.
Also worth knowing
It has offices in Townsville, Ingham and Cairns.
Lawyers
Rayarna Richey, Senior Associate Solicitor, Family Law
Purcell Taylor is a general practice on Flinders Street with a family law team inside a firm better known for injury, super and veterans' claims. Founder Michael Purcell came back from retirement in 2023 to work with the family team, having finished his earlier career as the North's most senior Independent Children's Lawyer, the firm says. Solicitor Madison Preston handles children's, property, divorce and domestic violence matters and is studying a family law masters. It suits veterans and service families who also need family law advice. Contact the firm for first consultation terms.
Also worth knowing
The firm also runs a veterans and service personnel practice.
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?
Tell us a little about your matter and we'll put you in touch with a Townsville family lawyer. It's free and there's no obligation.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Townsville office that do family law as a main part of their practice. Some are family law only practices, and some are general firms with a family team, which we note in the write-up. 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 says the Queensland Law Society accredited them. We list nine firms rather than ten because we'd rather show fewer firms we've checked than pad the list. 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 place on this list, and the order is our own. We write the descriptions 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. Rules are as published by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Queensland Courts, the Queensland Government and Legal Aid Queensland in October 2026.
Where Townsville family law cases are heard
Divorce, parenting and property cases go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Townsville has its own registry, one of four in Queensland along with Brisbane, Cairns and Rockhampton. Divorce applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
Townsville registry: Level 2, 143 Walker Street. The main entrance is on Walker Street, through the Blue Foyer at the Stanley Street end, and the registry and courtrooms are on the second floor
Counter and phones: the counter is open 8:45am to 4:30pm. Phone enquiries go to the national line, 1300 352 000, from 8:30am to 5pm. There's no local number
Urgent after hours matters: 02 9966 7988, for example a real risk that a child will be taken overseas before the next working day
Domestic violence orders are a Queensland matter. You can apply at any Magistrates Court in the state, and in Townsville that's the courthouse at 31 Walker Street, (07) 4781 8600. Many family law matters are settled through negotiation, mediation or family dispute resolution rather than a court decision, 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 at least 12 months 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, which is a little over a month after the order unless the court shortens that. You can apply any time before the divorce
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, without a certificate the registry won't accept your application unless the court grants an exemption. Grounds include family violence or child abuse or a real risk of it, urgency, or someone being unable to take part effectively. You don't need a certificate to apply for consent orders. The court can also refer you to dispute resolution at any stage.
Relationships Australia Queensland, Townsville: 745 Riverway Drive, Thuringowa Central, 1300 364 277. It offers family dispute resolution, a Children's Contact Service and the Parenting Orders Program
Legal Aid Queensland: where there's domestic violence, it can arrange dispute resolution meetings where you don't have to be in the same room as your former partner
Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321, for information and referrals, including to your nearest Family Relationship Centre
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.
Domestic violence orders and the Townsville court
In Queensland, protection orders are made under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012. The Act puts the safety, protection and wellbeing of people who fear or experience domestic violence, including children, first. Domestic violence isn't only physical. It includes emotional, psychological and economic abuse, threats, coercion and other behaviour that controls or dominates someone and causes fear.
Who it covers: current and former partners, family members and informal carers
Applying: you can apply yourself, police can apply, or someone you authorise can apply for you. There's no fee to apply
The Townsville court: Townsville is one of Queensland's specialist domestic and family violence courts, with Palm Island as a circuit court. It has dedicated magistrates and police prosecutors, a court coordinator, a specialist registry and duty lawyers, and on site triage and security. Community Justice Groups in Townsville and on Palm Island support it. Where matters are coordinated, one magistrate can hear both the protection order and any related criminal charge
When it sits: protection order applications are listed at 9am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Legal Aid Queensland's domestic violence duty lawyer is at the court on the same days, for people applying for or responding to an order
Coercive control: from 26 May 2025, coercive control is a criminal offence in Queensland, with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. It covers an adult who uses domestic violence on more than one occasion against someone they're in a domestic relationship with, including a former partner, intending to coerce or control them, where that conduct is reasonably likely to cause them harm
A protection order is separate from family law parenting or property orders, so tell your family lawyer about any order or application. In an emergency call 000. DVConnect Womensline is on 1800 811 811 and 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, both 24 hours. DVConnect Mensline is on 1800 600 636, 9am to midnight.
Choosing a Townsville 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. 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.
Check they're practising. Search the solicitor's name on the Queensland Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool.
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 15 points of professional development a year, at least 10 of them in family law.
Match the firm to your matter. A property pool with a business, farm or Defence super needs different experience from a parenting dispute or a domestic violence matter.
Ask who does the work. Find out who will run your file day to day and who goes to mediation or court with you.
Legal Aid Queensland: 1300 65 11 88, weekdays 8:30am to 4:30pm. The Townsville office is at Level 4, Northern Securities Building, 22 Walker Street, (07) 4758 5300. Legal information is free for anyone, advice depends on eligibility, and representation is means and merit tested
Family law duty lawyer: Legal Aid Queensland visits Townsville when the family court sits there, for people representing themselves who haven't had legal advice before court. Sitting dates vary with the court calendar
Family Advocacy and Support Service: runs in Townsville Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, for people affected by family violence who have a current family law issue
North Queensland Women's Legal Service: 1st Floor, 25 Sturt Street, (07) 4772 5400. Free legal advice and support for women on 1800 244 504. Women's Legal Service Queensland also helps women statewide with family law and domestic violence on 1800 957 957
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: ATSILS Townsville, 12 to 20 Wills Street, (07) 4722 5111, lists family law among its services. The Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service gives free legal help to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by family violence or sexual assault on 1800 887 700, and Legal Aid Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Information Line is 1300 65 01 43
Townsville family law: common questions
Is there a family court in Townsville?
Yes. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has a registry on Level 2, 143 Walker Street, with courtrooms on the same floor. Enter through the Blue Foyer at the Stanley Street end. Domestic violence orders are a state matter and go to the Magistrates Court at 31 Walker Street.
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 the court must grant an exemption, for example because of family violence, child abuse or urgency. In Townsville, Relationships Australia Queensland offers family dispute resolution at Thuringowa Central, and the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 can refer you elsewhere.
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 a domestic violence order in Townsville?
Apply at any Queensland Magistrates Court, including Townsville Courthouse at 31 Walker Street, or ask police to apply for you. There's no fee. Townsville has a specialist domestic and family violence court, applications are listed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and a Legal Aid duty lawyer is there on those days.
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 it they must spend at least 25 per cent of their practice on family law and complete 15 points of professional development each year, at least 10 of them in family law. On this list, Connolly Suthers Lawyers says Special Counsel Julie Bligh is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Qld).
Can I get free family law help in Townsville?
Yes. Legal Aid Queensland has a Townsville office at 22 Walker Street and a statewide line on 1300 65 11 88. Its family law duty lawyer visits when the court sits, and the Family Advocacy and Support Service runs on weekdays. North Queensland Women's Legal Service gives free help to women on 1800 244 504.
General information only, not legal advice.
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