5 Best Family Lawyers in Canberra Recommended by People Who Have Been There
A few years ago, my cousin hired the cheapest family lawyer she could find. Sadly, while he charged low fees, he was seriously lacking in communication skills, as well as the compassion she needed during an emotional time.
So she switched. Because when it comes to family matters, the right lawyer isn’t just about the price.
To that end, we rounded up the top family lawyers in Canberra that local clients think highly of. With these guys in your corner, you’ll be able to confidently navigate (and hopefully resolve) your current situation.
How much do family lawyers charge in Canberra?
In Canberra, family lawyers charge around $480 to $700 per hour, depending on experience. Rates can be lower for more junior solicitors or legal aid work (around $160 per hour).
Note that there may be extra costs for court filing fees, expert reports, and other disbursements.
1. Farrar Gesini Dunn
Address: 1/10 Rudd St
Phone: +61 2 6115 9000
Business hours: Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
For over three decades, Farrar Gesini Dunn has been one of Canberra’s most trusted family law firms. Their solid rep allowed them to easily branch out to three more ACT locations.
A rare service in Australia, the firm has a Child & Family Specialist who works with you and your lawyer at no extra cost. The goal is to protect your kids during this stressful time.
If you’re a good fit, they have a “Settle by Sunday” service, where the firm uses mediation and collaborative law to resolve issues fast.
Divorce kits are available, too. These are DIY packages that can be used if you and your former partner have been separated for at least 12 months.
While we heard some clients found their fees a bit on the higher side, most have raved about how the money is worth it, thanks to their compassionate and top-tier service.
Excellent service, compassionate, and inclusive lawyers
“Excellent service, compassionate, and inclusive lawyers. Daniel recently helped us in a family law matter involving heavy amounts of transphobia. Daniel and his team are hard working and extremely dedicated, and are highly recommended. I will forever be grateful for the urgent help and legal service Daniel and his team provided in a crisis.”
— Elstress Jane Windwalker, Google Review
FGD has been our go-to lawyer for a couple of years now
“Daniel from FGD has been our go-to lawyer for a couple of years now. He is excellent, professional, and has a wealth of knowledge on family law matters. Daniel recommended some avenues to go down, and we were not disappointed; it really helped our family come to the agreement that we were all happy with. He helped us navigate and produce excellent outcomes for our situation. In times of dealing with family law matters, it can be a really daunting experience, but we always had 100% faith in Daniel and his expertise, and his advice throughout the whole experience was outstanding. We highly recommend FGD & specifically Daniel. Thank you so much for your efforts, Daniel!”
— Elysha Ploegmakers, Google Review
2. BDN Lawyers
Address: 1/1 Farrell Pl
Phone: +61 2 6230 1999
Business hours: Mon – Fri: 8:45 AM–5:15 PM
BDN Lawyers has been around for over 160 years, making it one of Australia’s oldest law firms. As a full-service company, they handle a wide scope of matters, from personal injury and criminal to family law.
They’re pros in providing expert but compassionate support for all types of separation issues. You can ask them for help with a divorce application or child support payments.
In terms of finalizing custody arrangements, they’re quite good at negotiations and breaking down parenting plans or consent orders.
A nice bonus is their approach to pricing. If your matter can be resolved through a binding financial agreement, they can usually give you a fixed-price quote, which takes a lot of financial stress out of the equation.
The only downside we heard about is their lack of responsiveness. Clients have complained that they felt ignored most of the time, which is not ideal.
Level of helpfulness and professionalism was outstanding
“Couldn’t speak more highly of Amber and the team at BDN. Amber was incredible in handling and managing an exceptionally stressful and tough situation for me. The level of helpfulness and professionalism was outstanding, and the ability to take something very scary and make it manageable and easy to understand was amazing. I was at all times fully prepared for all outcomes by the team, but my final outcome was an exceptionally great one.”
— Cathrine Neil, Google Review
Professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to my case
“Once again, Richard and Diane were professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to my case. They communicated clearly every step of the way and made a stressful process much easier to navigate. Highly recommend their services, wouldn’t go anywhere else!”
— Cveta Taleski, Google Review
3. Parker Coles Curtis
Address: AMP building, Level 9/1 Hobart Pl
Phone: +61 2 5114 2660
Business hours: Mon – Fri: 8:45 AM–5:15 PM
Parker Coles Curtis is led by Debra Parker, who is widely regarded as a pioneer of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Movement in Canberra. She’s also the only lawyer in the city who holds a Specialist Accreditation in both family law and dispute resolution.
Just like Debra, her team is trained in collaborative law techniques, which focus on achieving solutions that take your whole situation into account, not just the legal details.
They’re also strong in handling de facto separations—couples who used to live together on a genuine domestic basis. If there are disputes regarding their property or parenting arrangements, their team can discuss possible fixes.
You can book a free 15-minute chat with one of their lawyers to see if they’re the right fit for your case. Just a heads up—previous clients have mentioned a few errors in drafted documents.
She helped me achieve the outcome I wanted
“Catherine of Parker Coles Curtis was the help I needed at such a tough time. She helped me achieve the outcome I wanted, and the experience plus service was priceless. This firm is highly recommended and would definitely use her again. Thank you once again, Catherine and Christine.”
— Tony Nehme, Google Review
I felt incredibly understood and supported
“I cannot recommend Sarah Mountford-Bunn highly enough. I was recommended this firm by a friend, and from the moment I walked in the door to the completion of my family law matter, I felt incredibly understood and supported. If you are looking for a firm to hear you out, give you honest advice, and fight for you until the end, look no further than Sarah Mountford-Bunn and the team at Parker Coles Curtis.”
— Chris Eldridge, Google Review
4. Neilan Stramandinoli Family Law
Address: Suite 1, Ground Floor/5 Farrell Pl
Phone: +61 2 6152 0493
Business hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM–5 PM
Neilan Stramandinoli Family Law is helmed by Anna and Lucy, who have more than three decades of combined experience dedicated exclusively to family law.
It’s no surprise that media outlets like ABC Canberra keep inviting them to share relevant insights in the field. Add to that being recognized in the Doyles’ Guide, it’s clear they’re trusted within the industry.
One thing clients appreciate about this firm is that, instead of pushing them straight into court battles, pathways such as amicable separation and mediation are prioritized. These help couples reach fair and calm agreements without unnecessary stress.
We like that they’re inclusive, too, since they’re a go-to for de facto and LGBTQIA+ family cases.
Something worth noting is their slow turnaround times. A few clients felt they waited longer than expected for updates.
If you need an excellent lawyer, they’re truly the best
“I cannot recommend this law firm enough. They are incredibly thorough, professional, and helped me through an incredibly stressful situation. If you need an excellent lawyer, Lucy and Emma are truly the best. Tahlia, the admin assistant here, is super organised, friendly, and actually returns calls and emails.”
— Meg Grafton, Google Review
Provided support, guidance, and clarity
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Neilan Stramandinoli Family Law. From the very first meeting, Lucy made a world of difference. She provided me with the support, guidance, and clarity I needed to navigate a challenging time in my life. Her advice was not only insightful but also gave me the strength to move forward, with a clear list of things to organise that made the whole process more manageable. I always felt I was in safe hands and truly appreciated her compassion and professionalism. Thank you for everything!”
— Lynda Clingan, Google Review
5. HCC Lawyers
Address: AMP building, HCC Lawyers, 1 Hobart Place, Level 8
Phone: +61 2 6147 3388
Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:45 AM–5:15 PM
HCC Lawyers has built a strong name in the Canberra family law scene, thanks in part to Stuart Cameron. He’s a partner and an accredited Family Law Specialist who has been practising exclusively in this field since 2002.
His forte is in handling complex cases involving child support issues and property disputes. He’s known for breaking down tricky situations into something clients can easily understand.
The firm is also well-regarded for their work in family violence matters, including protection orders. They help clients navigate the legal steps needed to stay safe and understand their rights throughout the process.
Unfortunately, we heard former clients complain about their lack of communication, mentioning delays or updates that aren’t always prompt.
Exceptional and compassionate assistance
“Stuart Cameron provided our family with exceptional and compassionate assistance. His attention to detail and extensive depth of knowledge meant as a family, our journey through the legal system was seamless and supportive. His friendly, sympathetic, and understanding approach through the whole process enabled minimal stress on our family, and he ensured we were up to date and briefed on the progression of each stage.”
— Hanna Sedaitis, Google Review
Stuart is a very astute, compassionate lawyer
“I cannot recommend HCC lawyers highly enough. I was so fortunate to be represented by Stuart Cameron through family law court proceedings. Stuart is a very astute, compassionate lawyer who is able to read a situation and the people involved very well. He got the best outcome on the day for me, and I felt that I had a friend with me through the whole unpleasant process. I would recommend HCC lawyers again and again.”
— Sally-Ann Walford, Google Review