First, the 5 firms we picked in Melbourne, 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.
1An office in the cityThe firm has an office in the city.
2A page for this area of lawIt has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website.
3An active ABNIt has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au).
4A 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.
Taussig Cherrie Fildes is a specialist family law firm based in Melbourne. It specialises in matrimonial and de facto relationship law. The firm was established in 2000.
What the firm says it handles
Children’s arrangements
Property settlements
Child support
Spousal maintenance
Divorce & separation
Financial agreements
+2 moreShow fewer
Child abduction & Hague convention
Alternative dispute resolution
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law boutique that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Debra Cherrie and Paul Fildes both ranked Preeminent.
Kenna Teasdale Lawyers is a Melbourne firm specialising in family law. It also offers commercial law, estates and litigation services. The firm was established in 1971.
What the firm says it handles
Property settlements
Financial agreements
Parenting arrangements
De facto relationships
Spousal maintenance & child support
Divorce
+1 moreShow fewer
Wills & deceased estates
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Wendy Sylva ranked Preeminent.
Kennedy Partners is a Melbourne-based law firm that practises in all aspects of family and de facto relationship law, including domestic and international matters. The firm provides advice, representation, mediation, negotiation, arbitration and litigation in family law matters. Its office is at Level 29, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne.
What the firm says it handles
Property settlement
Spousal maintenance
Parenting disputes
International child abduction
Financial agreements
Child support
+2 moreShow fewer
Injunctive relief and restraining orders
Family violence and intervention orders
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Olivia Grobtuch ranked Preeminent.
Lander & Rogers is an independent Australian law firm advising private and public sector organisations and individuals across Australia and internationally. It has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra and marks 80 years in 2026.
What the firm says it handles
Property settlements
Parenting and family arrangements
Separation and divorce
Financial agreements
International family law
Family violence
Why we picked it
A large full-service firm whose family team Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier for Melbourne, with Lee Formica and Liz Kofoed ranked Leading.
Forte Family Lawyers is a Melbourne firm specialising in family and relationship law. It provides advice and representation on parenting, property and related family matters.
What the firm says it handles
Children and parenting
Property and financial settlements
Prenuptial & other financial agreements
Divorce & separation
Family violence
International family law
+2 moreShow fewer
Spousal maintenance
Complex financial structures
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier, with Jacky Campbell, Wendy Kayler-Thomson and Jason Walker ranked Leading.
Free national phone service on separation and parenting arrangements.
1800 050 321
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 Melbourne
How does Zoe pick family lawyers in Melbourne?
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 Melbourne?
Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Victoria Legal Aid and Family Relationship Advice Line under free options.
ZoeLaw 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.
Taussig Cherrie Fildes is a specialist family law firm based in Melbourne. It specialises in matrimonial and de facto relationship law. The firm was established in 2000.
What the firm says it handles
Children’s arrangements
Property settlements
Child support
Spousal maintenance
Divorce & separation
Financial agreements
+2 moreShow fewer
Child abduction & Hague convention
Alternative dispute resolution
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law boutique that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Debra Cherrie and Paul Fildes both ranked Preeminent.
Kenna Teasdale Lawyers is a Melbourne firm specialising in family law. It also offers commercial law, estates and litigation services. The firm was established in 1971.
What the firm says it handles
Property settlements
Financial agreements
Parenting arrangements
De facto relationships
Spousal maintenance & child support
Divorce
+1 moreShow fewer
Wills & deceased estates
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Wendy Sylva ranked Preeminent.
Kennedy Partners is a Melbourne-based law firm that practises in all aspects of family and de facto relationship law, including domestic and international matters. The firm provides advice, representation, mediation, negotiation, arbitration and litigation in family law matters. Its office is at Level 29, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne.
What the firm says it handles
Property settlement
Spousal maintenance
Parenting disputes
International child abduction
Financial agreements
Child support
+2 moreShow fewer
Injunctive relief and restraining orders
Family violence and intervention orders
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Olivia Grobtuch ranked Preeminent.
Lander & Rogers is an independent Australian law firm advising private and public sector organisations and individuals across Australia and internationally. It has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra and marks 80 years in 2026.
What the firm says it handles
Property settlements
Parenting and family arrangements
Separation and divorce
Financial agreements
International family law
Family violence
Why we picked it
A large full-service firm whose family team Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier for Melbourne, with Lee Formica and Liz Kofoed ranked Leading.
Forte Family Lawyers is a Melbourne firm specialising in family and relationship law. It provides advice and representation on parenting, property and related family matters.
What the firm says it handles
Children and parenting
Property and financial settlements
Prenuptial & other financial agreements
Divorce & separation
Family violence
International family law
+2 moreShow fewer
Spousal maintenance
Complex financial structures
Why we picked it
A Melbourne family-law firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier, with Jacky Campbell, Wendy Kayler-Thomson and Jason Walker ranked Leading.
Every family law firm we could find in Melbourne and its suburbs, sorted by number of reviews. It is a list, not a recommendation, and more reviews does not mean a better firm.
164 firms · 175 offices
Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers
★4.9 out of 5· 963 Google reviews
462 William St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Listed as: Criminal justice attorney, Barrister, Family law attorney, Law firm
