Family Law
Services
From divorce and property settlement to parenting, mediation and estates — twelve services across four areas of family law. Find the area that fits your situation, then open the service page for the process, time limits and what to prepare.
What does a family lawyer do?
A family lawyer advises and represents people when a relationship ends or a family arrangement needs to be made legally binding. In Australia that usually means applying for divorce, negotiating a property settlement, agreeing on parenting arrangements and — when agreement isn’t possible — running the case in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Much of the work happens outside court: gathering financial disclosure, valuing the asset pool, drafting consent orders or a binding financial agreement, and negotiating or attending mediation. A good family lawyer tells you early what outcome is realistic, what it is likely to cost, and which deadlines apply to you.
At Gloria Family Law we handle the full range of matters listed below, from a straightforward divorce application to complex property and cross-border disputes.
Separating? Where to start
Read: Separation standards in Australia →Divorce and property are separate
A divorce order only ends the marriage. Property, superannuation and parenting arrangements are dealt with separately — by agreement or by court orders.
Watch the time limits
Married couples generally have 12 months from the divorce order to file for property orders; de facto couples have 2 years from separation.
Court is not the default
Most matters resolve through negotiation, mediation or consent orders. Litigation is for when agreement fails or the situation is urgent.
Four areas of family law we handle
Each service page explains who it applies to, how the process works, what documents you’ll need, and common questions.
Divorce & Property
A divorce order ends the marriage; property settlement and financial agreements are separate processes — and money from parents often becomes an issue here too. We plan them together so no deadline or asset is missed.
- Divorce ApplicationApplying for a divorce order in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, including service and any hearing.
- Property and Asset DivisionIdentifying and valuing the asset pool — real estate, businesses, investments — and negotiating a fair split.
- Financial AgreementsDrafting and advising on prenuptial, postnuptial and separation agreements (BFAs).
- Parent-Child LoansWhether money from parents is a loan or a gift, and related disputes.
Children & Family
Arrangements for children, built around their best interests — plus child support and family violence protection.
Dispute Resolution
From negotiation and mediation to court, we choose the path that fits the dispute and the budget — including matters with an overseas element.
Estates & Trusts
Planning ahead with wills, powers of attorney and family trusts, so your family’s assets are protected before anything goes wrong.
Who will handle your matter
Every matter is run by an experienced family law solicitor.
Related guides
All articles →Common questions
Questions about choosing a service. Each service page answers questions about its own process.
- I’m not sure which service I need. What should I do?
- Book a first consultation. We’ll ask about your situation and explain which processes, deadlines and options apply — you don’t need to work out the category yourself.
- Are divorce and property settlement the same process?
- No. A divorce order only ends the marriage. Property settlement and parenting arrangements are made separately, by agreement or by applying for court orders.
- Do I have to go to court?
- Not necessarily. Most matters resolve through negotiation, mediation or consent orders. Before applying for parenting orders you generally need to attempt family dispute resolution, unless an exception such as urgency or family violence applies.
- Is there a time limit for property settlement?
- Yes. Married couples generally have 12 months from the divorce order; de facto couples have 2 years from separation. Filing later requires the court’s permission.
- How much does a family lawyer cost?
- It depends on the type of matter, how complex the assets or issues are, and whether it settles or goes to court. We give you a written cost estimate before work begins and explain which stages drive the cost.
Not sure where your matter fits?
Book a family law consultation.
We listen first, then explain the process, your options and the likely costs.