Family lawyers in Townsville
First, the 5 firms we picked in Townsville, 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.
Ruhl Family Law Centre practises exclusively in Family Law and Domestic Violence Law and assists clients throughout Australia. The firm is based in Townsville, Queensland, and was founded in 2016 by Ms Diane Ruhl.
What the firm says it handles
- Parenting
- Child support
- Property
- Spousal maintenance
- Divorce
- Protection orders
+2 moreShow fewer
- Collaborative law
- Court applications
Why we picked it
A Townsville family-law boutique that Doyle's Guide places in its First Tier for North Queensland, with principal Diane Ruhl ranked Preeminent and named Queensland Law Society Regional Practitioner of the Year in 2025.
- Doyle's Guide 2026: First Tier family & divorce law firm, North Queensland (opens in a new tab)
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Diane Ruhl (Townsville) listed Preeminent, North Queensland (opens in a new tab)
- QLS Excellence in Law Awards 2025: Regional Practitioner of the Year, Diane Ruhl, Ruhl Family Law (opens in a new tab)
- Office
- 47 Ingham Road, West End QLD 4810
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Connolly Suthers provides legal services in compensation, family, wills and estates, conveyancing, criminal and business law in Townsville and North Queensland. The firm was established in 1895.
What the firm says it handles
- Property settlements
- Children
- Divorce
- Estate administration
- Traffic offences
- Conveyancing
Why we picked it
One of North Queensland's oldest and largest firms, listed as Recommended by Doyle's Guide for North Queensland family law, with Julie Bligh a Queensland Law Society accredited family law specialist.
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Recommended family & divorce law firm, North Queensland (opens in a new tab)
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Julie Bligh (Connolly Suthers, Townsville) listed Recommended, North Queensland (opens in a new tab)
- Firm's family law page: Julie Bligh listed as Accredited Specialist, Family Law (Qld) (opens in a new tab)
- Office
- 416 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- No win, no fee
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Preston Law provides legal services to individuals, families and businesses in Cairns, Townsville and regional North Queensland. The firm was established in 1991 and has provided legal services for over 30 years.
What the firm says it handles
- Property settlement
- Divorce & separation
- Child custody
- Prenuptial agreements
- Domestic violence & protection orders
- Binding financial agreements
Why we picked it
A large North Queensland firm with a Townsville office that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended for family law across the region.
- Office
- Level 1, 280 Flinders Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Fixed fees · Payment plans · Deferred fees
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Life Legal
West EndLife Legal is a legal practice in Townsville that provides family law and wills and estates services. It assists individuals, couples and families with family law disputes, estate planning and estate administration.
What the firm says it handles
- Consent order
- Parenting plan
- Binding financial agreement
- Binding child support agreement
- Mediation
- Arbitration
+2 moreShow fewer
- Divorce
- Child protection proceedings
Why we picked it
A Townsville boutique for family law and wills that Doyle's Guide places in its Third Tier for North Queensland family law, with Natasha Busby listed Recommended.
- Office
- Suite 2/60 Ingham Road, West End QLD 4810
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Fixed fees
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Lee Turnbull & Co provides family, commercial, conveyancing, criminal and wills & estates legal services in Townsville and Charters Towers, Queensland. The firm serves North‑West Queensland from offices in Townsville and Charters Towers and was founded in 1976.
What the firm says it handles
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Domestic violence
- Property settlement
Why we picked it
A long-running Townsville general practice that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended for North Queensland family law, with Heath Connolly also listed Recommended.
- Office
- 1st Floor, 350 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
If cost is the problem: free legal help
- Legal Aid Queensland (Townsville office)
Regional office at Level 4, 22 Walker Street, Townsville; free legal information and advice in family law, criminal law and some civil matters for eligible people. Infoline 1300 65 11 88.
(07) 4758 5300
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 Townsville
- How does Zoe pick family lawyers in Townsville?
- 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 Townsville?
- Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Legal Aid Queensland (Townsville office) under free options.
Zoe guides on family matters
Ask Zoe about your situation
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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.
