Family lawyers in Canberra
First, the 5 firms we picked in Canberra, with the reason for each. Then every other firm in the area, so you can compare. Whether a firm suits your situation is something to check with the firm directly.
- Firms we picked
- 5
- Picks last checked
- 1 October 2026
How we pick
Every firm in our picks meets all four. Picks are not for sale.
- An office in the cityThe firm has an office in the city.
- A page for this area of lawIt has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website.
- An active ABNIt has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au).
- A merit signal we can citeIt has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award.
What “our picks” means
These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
Our picks
This is our opinion: firms that meet every criterion above. It is not a ranking, and the Google rating beside a firm is Google’s, not part of why we picked it.
DDCS Lawyers
New Acton- Since 2007
- 9 lawyers
- 2 accredited specialists
DDCS Lawyers provides family law, wills, estate litigation and business succession services in Canberra. The firm was established in August 2007. It has lawyers practising in family law and in wills, estates and business succession.
What the firm says it handles
- Financial settlements
- Parenting matters
- Relocation issues
- Protection from family violence
- Binding financial agreements
- Wills and estates planning
+2 moreShow fewer
- Estate disputes
- Probate applications
Why we picked it
A Canberra firm that Doyle's Guide places in the top tier of ACT family and divorce firms.
- Office
- 18 Kendall Lane, New Acton ACT 2601
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Farrar Gesini Dunn is a legal practice that specialises in family law, wills and estates, conveyancing and accounting. It has offices in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Coffs Harbour and Cheltenham. The firm has been in business since 1995.
What the firm says it handles
- Property settlement
- Parenting orders
- Domestic violence
- Divorce
- Binding financial agreements
- Surrogacy
+1 moreShow fewer
- Child support
Why we picked it
A specialist family law firm that Doyle's Guide places in the top tier of Canberra family firms, with Jessica Kennedy ranked Preeminent for parenting matters.
- Office
- Level 1, 10 Rudd Street, Canberra City ACT 2601
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation
- Languages besides English
- Also speaks Chinese
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Parker Coles Curtis is a family law firm in Canberra that handles separation, divorce and related family law matters. The firm provides dispute resolution, mediation and court representation for family law matters.
What the firm says it handles
- Separation & divorce
- Parenting & custody arrangements
- Property & financial settlement
- De facto breakups
- Family violence & protection orders
- Pre-nup & binding financial agreements
+1 moreShow fewer
- Mediation
Why we picked it
A boutique Canberra family firm in Doyle's second tier, with director Jacquelyn Curtis ranked Preeminent for parenting and custody matters.
- Office
- Level 9, 1 Hobart Place, Canberra City ACT 2601
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Robinson + McGuinness Family Law
DeakinR+M Law (Robinson + McGuinness Family Law) is a family law firm that specialises in family law, divorce, wills & estates, guardianship & financial management, and care & protection. It is based in Canberra and serves Canberra, Yass and Queanbeyan.
What the firm says it handles
- Divorce
- Parenting
- Property
- Mediation
- Child support
- Financial agreements
+2 moreShow fewer
- Spousal maintenance
- Family violence, protection orders
Why we picked it
A Canberra family firm in Doyle's second tier, with Kevin Robinson ranked Preeminent for parenting and custody matters.
- Office
- Level 1, 27-29 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Nicholls Anzani Family Lawyers specialise in the resolution of complex family law matters. The firm is based in Canberra, ACT and supports clients Australia wide. It has a team of lawyers and administrative staff.
What the firm says it handles
- Separation & divorce
- Parenting & children’s arrangements
- Property and financial settlements
- Family violence orders
- International family law
- Spousal maintenance
+1 moreShow fewer
- Parental alienation
Why we picked it
A smaller Canberra family firm in Doyle's second tier, with Ana Anzani ranked Leading for parenting and custody matters.
- Office
- Level 6, 1 Hobart Place, Canberra City ACT 2601
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
If cost is the problem: free legal help
- Legal Aid ACT Helpline
Free legal information and referrals, and appointments with a lawyer where needed. Phone lines run Monday to Thursday 8.30am-7pm and Friday 8.30am-5pm; the Helpline gives information rather than legal advice.
1300 654 314
- Women's Legal Centre (ACT and Region)
Free legal advice and representation for women, trans and gender diverse people in the ACT region; check the eligibility page on its website.
(02) 6257 4377
All firms
Different city or area?
When you need a family lawyer
Situations where people commonly speak to a family lawyer:
- You have separated and parenting arrangements for your children are unclear or disputed.
- You need to divide property or finances after a relationship ends.
- A family violence order is running alongside a parenting or property matter.
Questions about family lawyers in Canberra
- How does Zoe pick family lawyers in Canberra?
- Every firm in our picks meets all of these. The firm has an office in the city. It has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website. It has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au). It has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award. These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used.
- Are these lawyers paid to be listed?
- No. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
- What does family law cover?
- Separation and relationship breakdown: parenting arrangements for children, dividing property and finances, and family violence orders that run alongside those matters. This is general information, not legal advice about your situation.
- When do people speak to a family lawyer?
- Situations where people commonly speak to a family lawyer: You have separated and parenting arrangements for your children are unclear or disputed; You need to divide property or finances after a relationship ends; A family violence order is running alongside a parenting or property matter. This is general information about common situations, not advice about yours.
- Are there free options for family matters in Canberra?
- Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Legal Aid ACT Helpline and Women's Legal Centre (ACT and Region) under free options.
Zoe guides on family matters
Ask Zoe about your situation
Describe what is happening and Zoe gives plain-English legal information grounded in the law. Your first messages are free.
Start a free chat with ZoeZoeLaw is not a law firm. Picks are our opinion; we don't share your details.
AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Zoe can make mistakes. Check the cited sources, and before you act on this, rely on it, or use any draft, get a qualified Australian lawyer to check it.
