Family Lawyers in Perth

Family law in Western Australia works a little differently from the other states. Separating couples in Perth usually deal with the Family Court of Western Australia, a state court that hears divorce, property and parenting matters. Married and de facto couples can also fall under different laws here, so local experience is worth having.

Perth family lawyers range from small practices that work only in family law to larger firms with family teams alongside their property and tax lawyers. Many offer mediation and negotiation as well as court work. When comparing firms, ask how they usually resolve matters, who will handle your file and how fees are charged. Several firms also have offices in Joondalup or Mandurah, which may suit families who live outside the city.

Robertson Hayles Lawyers
Ground Floor, Irwin Chambers, 16 Irwin Street
Perth WA 6000
Tel: (08) 9325 1700

The family law team at Robertson Hayles advises on married and de facto relationships, including divorce applications, property settlements, parenting arrangements, child support, spousal maintenance and binding financial agreements. The team also acts in family violence restraining order matters and helps clients prepare for mediation, dispute resolution conferences and court hearings. The firm is in Irwin Street in the Perth CBD.

Paterson Dowding
Level 5, Mint House, 326 Hay Street
Perth WA 6000
Tel: (08) 9226 3300

Established in 1967, Paterson Dowding is a long running family law practice with offices in the Perth CBD, Joondalup and Mandurah. Its work covers divorce, parenting orders, property settlement, financial agreements, spousal maintenance, superannuation splitting and family trusts, along with child support, relocation and international child abduction matters. The firm offers mediation, family dispute resolution and collaborative law, and says it works for agreement where possible to avoid court while keeping the welfare of children at the forefront.
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Carr & Co Divorce and Family Lawyers
Level 27, Exchange Plaza, 2 The Esplanade
Perth WA 6000
Tel: (08) 9322 8000

Carr & Co works exclusively in divorce and family law from Exchange Plaza on The Esplanade in the Perth CBD. Its services cover divorce, de facto relationships, property settlement, spousal maintenance, children’s and parenting issues, mediation and child support agreements. The firm also prepares binding financial agreements and handles injunctions and restraining orders, adoption, surrogacy, enforcement of agreements and orders plus the relocation of children interstate or overseas. Clients are matched with a lawyer whose personality and approach suit them.
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HHG Legal Group
Level 8, Cloisters Square, 863 Hay Street
Perth WA 6000
Tel: (08) 9322 1966

HHG Legal Group’s relationships team handles separation, divorce, de facto matters, property settlement and spousal maintenance from its Cloisters Square office in Perth. The firm prepares binding financial agreements and offers family mediation and dispute resolution, and it also advises on family violence matters and on IVF and surrogacy. Further offices in Joondalup, Mandurah, Bunbury, Albany and Mount Barker may suit clients outside the city. Its site sets out a four step process that runs from first enquiry through to resolution.
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Hickman Family Lawyers
Level 11, 40 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Tel: (08) 6381 9444

A small family law practice on St Georges Terrace, Hickman Family Lawyers aims to resolve matters early, usually through negotiation and mediation, at a reasonable cost. Its services include divorce and marriage annulments, child custody and child support, property settlements, spousal maintenance and consent orders. The firm also acts in family violence, violence and misconduct restraining order matters, and its site lists estate planning and enduring powers of attorney among its other services.
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Married and de facto couples

In WA, de facto property matters come under state law. Legal Aid WA explains that the Family Court Act 1997 (WA) applies to de facto relationships, and that an application to the Family Court generally needs to be made within two years of separation. A later application needs the court’s permission, which is not always granted.

Other requirements may apply, such as where each partner was living during the relationship. A family lawyer can check how the rules apply to your situation before time runs out, and can explain what evidence the court may want to see.

Parenting matters and dispute resolution

The Family Court of Western Australia says you usually have to try family dispute resolution before applying for parenting orders. The practitioner then issues a certificate to file with your application, and the form differs depending on whether the parents were married. Exceptions may apply, for example where there has been family violence or a decision is urgent.

Many Perth family lawyers offer mediation or work with dispute resolution services. In many cases this can settle matters without a court hearing.

Other practice areas in Perth

Looking outside Perth? Browse family lawyers in other cities.