Anyone who’s been through the family law system knows how emotionally challenging it can be. Poor legal representation only makes the situation worse. The right lawyer will make the process smooth and manageable. You can be sure that your interests are cared for so you can focus on healing.
This article ranks the six best law firms that can assist you with your legal needs.
Before you continue, we want to clarify that Ferrall & Co. don’t consider our firm or any firm, for that matter, the best family lawyers. This article is meant to help you form your own opinions. You might have found this piece by searching for ‘best family lawyers in Caloundra’ on Google or Bing. We hope you enjoy the article and that it helps you find the right divorce lawyer in Caloundra.
- Ferrall & Co. Lawyers – Results Driven
- Focus Family Law
- Alex Mandry Legal Group
- Spire Law
- RK Law
- DJ Hinton Lawyers
6 Best Family Law Firms
1. Ferrall & Co. Lawyers – Overall Best
At the head of Ferrall & Co. Lawyers is Rowena Ferrall. Rowena is a respected lawyer in the Caloundra community who’s been practising law for 20 years. Over the years, Ferrall and Co. has made a name for itself through the team’s unparalleled service. Their compassionate and professional guidance has led hundreds of clients through their difficulties. They assist with divorce, parenting agreements, division of property, and legalities around de facto and same-sex couples’ separations.
The team at Ferrall & Co. has one overriding mission. They want to ensure clients navigate the legal system with confidence and dignity. They strive to provide the best possible outcomes in every case they take on. Honesty, integrity, and expert advice are the hallmarks of their services. It’s no wonder they’ve become one of the most trusted choices in Caloundra.
Best for
Clients who are looking for representation from a respected and empathetic team of professionals with expertise across family law.
Best part
- Specialised experience in family law matters since 2004.
- Expertise in handling complex family legalities.
- A reputation for guiding clients with honesty, integrity, and expert advice.
- Proven track record of achieving the best possible outcomes in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
- Offers obligation-free initial meetings to discuss individual circumstances and goals.
Key services
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Parenting agreements
- Property settlements
- Domestic violence
Contact Ferrall & Co. Lawyers to work with you through your divorce. They offer a free 30-minute consultation to prospective clients.
Get a free consultation now
What their clients say
Rowena and her team at Ferrall & Co went above and beyond to help me achieve what no other firm I previously engaged were able to do.
– James Walker
2. Focus Family Law
Why has Focus made the list? The team understands family law proceedings well. Their personalised approach matches with practical solutions. Their client-focused attention makes everyone they represent feel supported. Their team excels in areas such as spousal maintenance and child custody arrangements.
Focus Family Law’s principal family lawyer, Michelle Britton, has long been passionate about speaking up for victims of domestic violence. Her years of experience working with these sensitive cases makes her one of the most empathetic and compassionate family lawyers on the Sunshine Coast. For these reasons, we’re happy to name them one of the most trusted partners during challenging times.
Best for
Clients dealing with sensitive cases, particularly involving family violence, will benefit from Focus Family Law’s deep experience with these cases.
Best part
- Recognising the emotional challenges of divorce, Seraphus offers a tailored and sincere approach. They provide structured and practical legal advice to ease the process.
Their extensive history of helping victims of domestic violence has made the Focus Family Law team a compassionate advocate for clients.
Key services
- Parenting Arrangements
- De Facto Relationships
- Domestic Violence Matters
- Spousal Maintenance
- Child Custody and Support
What their clients say
From the very first phone call to the finalisation of my family court matter, Michelle, Tariana were my calm, during my many moments of panic.
– Kyrie Hunter
3. Alex Mandry
Sandra Sinclair heads the firm as a caring family law specialist. Alex Mandry Legal Group brings over 40 years of experience assisting families through challenging times. They demonstrate a peerless commitment to finding the best possible outcomes. They have offices in many locations across Australia. Their clients have access to extensive resources.
As an accredited mediator, the Alex Mandry Legal Group team offers legal expertise that emphasises dispute resolution. They always aim for amicable solutions where possible. Choosing them means entrusting your case to a team who prioritises you and your family’s well-being.
Best for
Anyone who needs representation from a respected firm with extensive resources and an experienced team.
Best part
- Recognising the emotional challenges of family law matters, Focus Family Law offers a tailored and sincere approach. They provide structured and practical legal advice to ease the process.
- Their extensive history of helping victims of domestic violence has made the Focus Family Law team a compassionate advocate for clients.
Key services
- Parenting Arrangements
- De Facto Relationships
- Domestic Violence Matters
- Spousal Maintenance
- Child Custody and Support
- Legal Aid Applications
What their clients say
From the very first phone call to the finalisation of my family court matter, Michelle, Tariana were my calm, during my many moments of panic.
– Kyrie Hunter
4. Spire Law
Spire Law has had a prominent place in Caloundra for many years. With a team of 14 lawyers, 21 paralegals and support staff, they ensure comprehensive and personalised assistance. They’re present across five convenient locations, including Caloundra and Maroochydore. This makes them easily accessible to all of their clients.
Spire Law doesn’t only have vast expertise in family law. They want to add value to your life by offering opportunities for new beginnings for their clients. Their approach centres around understanding individual needs completely. For these reasons, they’re an obvious choice for our list.
Best for
If you’re looking for tailored advice and comprehensive support, Spire Law could be the ideal choice.
Best for
- With five conveniently located offices, clients can access their services easily.
- Their tailored and solution-focused approach ensures clients receive personalised advice. This facilitates smoother transitions and new beginnings.
Key services
- Divorce
- Domestic and family violence cases
- Property and financial matters
- Parenting and child-related matters
- Financial agreements
What their clients say
Mia from Spire Law was fantastic to deal with. Always available to speak to and kept us regularly updated during our matter.
– Jahna Cafe
5. RK Law
RK Law is a proactive and practically-minded team. They are available to clients at all times to answer any questions. Clients always have a lifeline. RK Law doesn’t just abandon clients after a case is over. They follow up afterwards to ensure clients can transition successfully to their new life.
Clients praise RK Law for their genuine friendliness, experience, and consistent availability. Their commitment to the mantra “defend your future” is evident through everything they do. These range from criminal and traffic defence to family law.
They cater to clients from all walks of life. Their singular goal is to achieve justice and a fair outcome for their clients. They’re here if you need help with complex matters like resolving international jurisdictional issues and handling relocation orders. This is why we welcome them to our list.
Best for
Clients who want comprehensive service from a firm that works tirelessly for their clients and provides constant availability.
Best part
- They are recognised for their genuine friendliness and deep expertise. They ensure clients receive both compassionate and knowledgeable guidance.
- As a preferred supplier for Legal Aid Queensland on the Sunshine Coast, they cater to diverse clients. This ensures access to quality legal representation for all.
Key services
- Separation and Divorce Arrangements
- Urgent Recovery Orders
- Parenting Orders
- Passports and International Travel Issues
- Living and Time Arrangements
- Parental Responsibilities
- Interstate and International Relocation
- Superannuation Splits
- Maintenance and Child Support
- Property Settlements
- Domestic and Family Violence Legal Support
What their clients say
Rowan and Team was referred to me from a trusted friend and from the moment we spoke, there was transparency, professionalism, empathy, support and most of all fast moving communication.
– Celina Ridsdale
6. DJ Hinton Lawyers
DJ Hinton Lawyers understand that the dissolution of a relationship or marriage can be among life’s most challenging moments. The firm specialises in all areas of family law. They offer both expertise and empathy tailored to each client’s situation. David Hinton began his career all the way back in 1989. His 35 years of experience shows through his track record and satisfied clients.
Their services encompass divorce, property settlements, spouse maintenance, financial agreements, and children & parenting matters. Their team consists of skilled lawyers who partner with a network of professionals in related fields. That’s why they’re amongst our favourite law firms.
Best for
If you want a firm with specialised expertise in family law from a firm that tailors a solution to your situation, DJ Hinton Lawyers are for you.
Benefits
- Specialised expertise in Family Law, ensuring tailored and informed guidance during challenging times.
- Comprehensive services covering all aspects. These range from property settlements to children & parenting matters.
- A dedicated team of professionals committed to exceeding client expectations. They uphold the highest standards in Family Law practice.
Key services
- Property
- Division
- Children’s Issues
- Divorce
- Spousal Maintenance
- De Facto Disputes
- Same-Sex Couple Disputes
- Child Custody and Maintenance
- Relocation Disputes (including International)
- Binding Financial Agreements (including Prenuptial Agreements)
- Legal Representation and Negotiation
What their clients say
Really down to earth lawyers. Free 30 min consult was a bonus I didn’t expect. But very worthwhile.
– Kylie Corbett
How do we determine the best family law solicitors in Caloundra?
Law firms have to meet certain key criteria to be considered among the best Sunshine Coast family lawyers.
Experience and expertise
Family law issues cover a broad range of cases. These cases often involve particularly complex factors. For example, property settlements can cover complicated financial assets such as business interests, trusts and rare or unique collectible items. Parenting arrangements may come with questions over international jurisdictions. Lawyers can only handle these legal proceedings effectively with the right experience.
Experienced family lawyers will also have developed a network of professionals they can look to for assistance. Professionals like social workers, psychologists, valuation experts, and financial planners can be vital to offering the best service.
Empathy
Dealing with the Family Law Court and associated legal processes is stressful and anxiety-inducing for clients. This is especially true for cases involving young children or parties who’ve suffered incidents of family violence. Family lawyers must make an effort to understand your unique circumstances and approach your family law matter non-judgmentally. Representing clients isn’t just about providing legal advice. Emotional support is also a key element. Lawyers who don’t take the time to listen to your concerns won’t develop a strategy tailored to your circumstances.
Communication
Communication is a key factor at the heart of the client-lawyer relationship. The best family lawyers make themselves available to their clients as the client requires. Parties understand that lawyers are busy and have other clients to consider. However, a good lawyer always ensures a client understands their circumstances, the options available, and the next step in the process. It isn’t always necessary to meet in-person. Lawyers can assist clients through other channels such as email and over the phone.
The legal system is complex, which can be frightening for people. A good lawyer will take the time to break down a client’s situation and provide information in a way that avoids unnecessary jargon.
Reputation
A law firm cannot continue to operate effectively with a questionable reputation. A bad reputation can arise from bad practices or official misconduct. Once a firm develops a poor reputation, it’s virtually impossible to remove.
We only highlight firms with impeccable reputations. These firms have displayed a dedication to honest and transparent dealings with clients, as well as a passion for achieving the best outcomes.
How do I find the best firms in my area?
When you’re equipped with the right tools to make your own assessment of a law firm, you can ensure you only deal with the best. Here are some tips for finding the right firm for you.
Online reviews
Online reviews are often the first thing people look at when assessing a law firm. It’s best to only consider law firms with a minimum of 4.5 stars. Anything less and there may be concerns about how they perform. Consider if there are common points, positive or negative, being raised consistently. Prioritise more recent reviews and check to see if the firm has posted any responses.
Friends and family
There’s no opinion we trust more than those of friends and family. If anyone close to you, a friend, family member, co-worker, and the like, has dealt with family law matters, ask them about their experience and whether they would recommend the firm. If possible, try to find someone whose matter closely resembles yours. That way, you can get a good sense of how the firm will handle your specific needs.
Law firm’s website
A firm’s website can give you some useful information. Look to see if they specialise in particular areas of family law, and if they have special accreditations. Check the structure of the site. Is it professional in its tone, or does it have a more casual feel?
Initial consultation
Many law firms offer a free 30-minute initial consultation. This is an excellent time to get to know the lawyer and assess them on various factors.
- How is their communication? Do they explain the legal process simply?
- Do they show empathy and understanding for your situation, or do they seem dismissive?
- On first impressions, do they seem like a person you would be compatible with?
It’s helpful to have a set of questions written down beforehand so you can cover all of your concerns.
Some questions you could ask include:
- Have you handled cases similar to mine, and, if so, what were the outcomes?
- What potential outcomes do you envision for my case?
- What are the likely next steps?
- What fee structures are available?
- What would be required of me going forward?
Conclusion
The Family Law Act encompasses a complex and challenging set of issues. What makes finding the right firm so difficult is how individualised every case is. So, how do you find the right one? With this list, We hope to point you in the right direction.
We have discussed six family law firms that we consider the best in the field. We chose each one for embodying the highest values. They represent clients with empathy, expertise and an individualised approach to their legal services. While we’re proud of our firm’s expertise and track record, we encourage you to explore all options. Choose a legal partner that resonates with you.
Remember, the wrong legal support can significantly affect your family law matters. The right firm can help you start a new chapter. Reach out for a free consultation to experience the personalised service that Ferrall & Co. Lawyers offers. We want to help you make an informed decision for your peace of mind.
