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Crows Nest (Available by appointment)
Crows Nest (Regus)
246 Pacific Highway,
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Hornsby (Available by appointment)
Level 1/22-28 Edgeworth David Avenue,
Hornsby, NSW 2077
We are proud to announce we have been named as a finalist in the Australian Law Awards for Law Firm of the Year for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Whether you’re dealing with separation and divorce, need guidance on property settlement, spousal maintenance, or parenting arrangements, our dedicated team of family lawyers in Sydney (Northern Suburbs) are here to support you every step of the way with tailored counsel, ensuring you are fully informed of your rights and entitlements.
We understand the importance of feeling heard, supported, and empowered throughout the legal process. Our expert advice aims to help you achieve resolution and peace of mind.
By diligently safeguarding your rights and interests, we strive to foster peaceful resolutions through skilled negotiation or, when necessary, vigorous litigation to secure the best possible outcomes. If you need legal assistance with family law matters, we invite you to visit our Sydney (Northern Suburbs) family lawyers office or contact our friendly team directly to schedule a consultation.
Assisting with the legal process of ending a marriage after a 12-month separation.
Guiding parents through financial contributions for raising children.
Helping resolve disputes without going to court through legal help during mediation.
Supporting parents in care arrangements and decision-making for children.
Helping legally protect a financial gift, loan or advance.
Providing clear legal advice and support through your separation.
Assessing and dividing assets, liabilities, and financial resources between parties.
Outlining how finances will be divided if a couple separates or divorces.
Assisting partners seeking financial support after separation or divorce.
Advising on complex separations involving high-value assets or businesses.
Supporting LGBTQ+ families through separation, parenting, and legal rights.
Helping couples formalise financial arrangements made during marriage.
Watts McCray Lawyers (Crows Nest) is easily accessible and located just minutes from the M1 highway. The office is located across the harbour from the Central Business District and in close proximity to the St Leonards train station (1.1km or 15 minute walk).
Watts McCray Lawyers (Hornsby) is located near the scenic Berowra Valley National Park and Westfield Shopping Centre, with great transport links to downtown Sydney. The Hornsby train station is in close proximity to the office (750m).
Australian Family Lawyers was established in 2015 and is Australia’s only specialist national family law firm. With a footprint across Australian states and territories, we combine the expertise of several leading family law firms and over 35,000 people reach out to the firm each year for advice.
Our family law team in Brisbane comprises some of the most experienced and dedicated professionals in the field. Discover more about each of them by clicking on their profile below.
We are excited to announce that Australian Family Lawyers is an official partner of Pride in Law! As advocates for diversity and inclusion, we are honoured to support Pride in Law’s mission to promote and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community within the legal profession. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A child custody lawyer supports parents during disputes involving children by providing guidance through legal processes and decision-making.
Although the term “custody” is no longer used in Australian law, it remains commonly understood and is often used to describe parenting arrangements under the Family Law Act. These arrangements can be complex, particularly during separation, when parents need clear and balanced information to focus on their child’s best interests.
It’s a common reason why families seek out a family court custody lawyer before proceeding with separation or divorce. Understanding the legal framework and available options supports more informed and considered decisions.
Australian Family Lawyers work exclusively in family law and assist individuals in navigating parenting matters with clear, practical advice.
Our team of family law lawyers explains legal requirements in straightforward terms and supports decision-making throughout the process, focusing on outcomes that consider both parental responsibilities and the wellbeing of children.
When you search for a custody lawyer, you’re looking for custody advice in Australia regarding where your child should reside, under whose care, how time should be divided and who should make major decisions.
Under the Family Law Act, these matters are addressed through parenting orders and parental responsibility, covering areas such as schooling, medical care, religion and living arrangements. Each decision affects your child’s wellbeing, so a clear and structured plan is important.
As such, early legal guidance from a family law custody specialist is valuable in distinguishing between parenting matters and child support issues. Through a child custody consultation, your child support lawyer will help you understand the issues present in your specific circumstances and advise you on how to proceed so that you and your family achieve the best possible outcomes.
Ongoing access to your custody dispute lawyer allows you to ask questions, understand your position and stay informed throughout the process, helping you manage parenting matters with greater clarity and confidence. We focus exclusively on family law and provide guidance on parenting disputes, including interim arrangements, consent orders and relocation matters.
Such a specialised approach from your custody lawyer supports clearer decision-making when changes to your child’s routine or your role as a parent are involved.
Our team includes Accredited Family Law Specialists who manage matters across a national network, allowing for consistent support even in complex cases. They also provide legal guidance for overlapping financial issues, prenuptial agreements Australia courts recognise and custody matters in blended families.
Some parenting matters are highly complex, especially when they involve property division, asset protection, blended family dynamics, or concerns like family violence or relocation.
In these situations, legal guidance helps coordinate parenting arrangements with broader financial and legal considerations. A custody lawyer identifies relevant evidence, explains legal requirements, and supports the development of practical and sustainable arrangements that reflect your circumstances.
From legal advice on divorce to custody legal services during separation, Australian Family Lawyers offer a free initial consultation and, in some cases, fixed-fee services to help you understand your options before taking the next step.
We also understand that navigating a family law matter can be both emotionally and financially challenging. At Australian Family Lawyers, we’re committed to transparency, fairness and providing clarity around legal costs so you can move forward with confidence.
Emergency custody may be granted in situations where a child is at immediate risk of harm. The court can issue urgent interim parenting orders, sometimes without prior notice to the other parent, when there’s strong evidence supporting the need for immediate protection.
In such situations, custody and divorce solicitors can help assess the urgency, gather relevant evidence and guide the appropriate legal steps.
Your custody lawyer can assist when a proposed relocation may affect existing parenting arrangements. They may apply for orders to prevent the move or seek a court decision, depending on the circumstances.
The court assesses factors such as distance, schooling, travel requirements, parental involvement and whether the relocation is in the child’s best interests.
If you’re looking for interstate child custody legal advice or a custody court lawyer, our team supports family law matters across multiple Australian jurisdictions, offering expertise, knowledge and resources to navigate different legal settings.
Similar to lawyers building cases for divorce Australia-wide, a custody lawyer or custody solicitor gathers a range of evidence to support parenting matters and present a clear picture of the child’s circumstances.
The evidence may include school records, medical or counselling reports, electronic communications, diary notes on care arrangements, photographs, and, where relevant, police or child protection material, along with witness statements.
Following our merger with Watts McCray and Kordos Lawyers, Australian Family Lawyers operate as one of the largest specialist family law firms in the country.
Our approach focuses on practical, solutions-based support combined with an understanding of the personal challenges involved in family law matters. With a leading national team that includes a large number of experienced Accredited Family Law Specialists, we provide legal support for complex and higher-asset matters, including Australian prenup agreements.
While operating as a national firm, we maintain a local presence through offices in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory, which helps improve accessibility for families across the country.
Book a consultation and find a good custody lawyer in Australia today.
Disclaimer: The articles and information provided on this website are intended for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content at the time of publication, we cannot guarantee that it will remain up to date indefinitely, due to changes in legislation and case law.
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When you turn to Australian Family Lawyers, you can expect clear guidance from the country's largest specialised family law firm. Our experienced national team delivers reliable support and a reputation recognised by the Australian Law Awards for multiple years.
Whether you've been looking into "family lawyers bendigo", "family lawyer cairns" or "family law solicitors", you benefit from a settlement-first approach that prioritises negotiation and family mediation, with more than 95% of our matters settled before reaching a final hearing. We provide support across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory, with services covering separation, property settlement, child custody and more.
If you've been searching for "good family lawyer sydney", "best divorce lawyer rosebery" or "asset protection lawyer", you can have direct access to your lawyer for clear, regular updates, with video calls available for added convenience and no intermediaries involved. Get in touch with our team today for a free, no-obligation initial phone consultation.