Fathers Rights
Lawyers
Child Custody, Parenting and Visitation Expertise for Australian Fathers
Leading Fathers Rights Law Firm Supporting Dads Nationwide
When a relationship ends, whether a marriage or de facto partnership, you face huge changes, especially when you are a dad focused on protecting time with your kids.
For many fathers, it can feel as though the family-law system is stacked against them, and it is natural to worry about how often you will see your children after separation.
Stress, anxiety and uncertainty are common, but you are not alone. At Unified Lawyers, we are a fathers rights law firm that champions a dad’s legal entitlements to custody, parenting time and fair property division.
We will listen to your concerns, map out a clear strategy and fight to secure your parental rights.
Every separation involving children is different, but you do not have to manage it alone. Our highly experienced, empathetic team of family lawyers has helped thousands of Australian dads navigate child custody, parenting plans and fathers visitation rights, and we are ready to help you today.
Discuss your situation with a dedicated fathers rights lawyer in a free, no-obligation consultation.
Father needs family
lawyer?
Why Fathers Need a family lawyer?
When it comes to your children, as a dad you want the best for them, and whether you have just separated or are deep into the divorce process, a relationship breakdown and co-parenting transition can be tough. A fathers-rights lawyer helps dads who have recently separated understand their legal standing and options and guides them through parenting matters confidently.
Some of the common parenting issues a family lawyer assists fathers with include: equal shared care applications, holiday schedules, relocation concerns, child support adjustments, and urgent recovery orders.
Child Custody & Visitation Rights for Fathers
For fathers, arranging how your children split their time between two homes can feel overwhelming and emotional. Common questions include “Can I share week-on-week care?” or “Will weekends be my only option?”
Click here to learn more about fathers child-custody rights in Australia.
Contrary to the myth that dads start on the back foot, Australian family law aims for equal shared parental responsibility, putting every decision through one filter, the best interests and safety of the child.
Courts make balanced orders about parenting time, living arrangements and visitation schedules, guided by evidence not gender. If you are struggling to see your kids or facing breaches of existing orders, specialised help is available to protect your fathers visitation rights and achieve a workable, long-term parenting plan for your family today.
Parenting Orders & Co-Parenting Plans for Dads
Not every parenting issue needs a courtroom showdown, sometimes it does, but more often our fathers-rights lawyers can help you and your co-parent negotiate a dad-friendly parenting plan without litigation.
We guide fathers to decide:
Where the children will live
How parenting time is divided, including school-holiday blocks
Which school or childcare the kids attend
Who covers education, health and activity costs
Arrangements for birthdays and special occasions
Authority for medical decisions and emergency care
When both parents reach agreement, we draft and lodge consent orders so the plan is legally enforceable.
If the other parent breaches a parenting order or blocks your time with the children, we act quickly, filing the necessary applications and enforcing your parenting orders for dads so you maintain consistent, meaningful contact with your kids.
Child Support Matters for Fathers
Fathers have a legal duty to contribute to their children’s financial wellbeing, yet calculating fair child-support payments can quickly become complex. Whether you are concerned about paying excessive child support, unsure how to factor in shared-care arrangements, or simply do not know where to start, our fathers-rights team can help. We explain your child-support obligations for dads, explore alternatives for both parents, without placing an unfair burden on you.
Understand Your Child-Support Rights & Obligations
Domestic and Family Violence Allegations Against Fathers
The safety of your children is paramount, but false or exaggerated family-violence claims can jeopardise a father’s relationship with his kids. If your parenting abilities have been questioned or you have been served with an AVO, the situation can feel devastating, and allegations against dads are more common than many realise. Acting swiftly is essential. Our leading family lawyers in Sydney move fast to review evidence, prepare strong responses and, where appropriate, seek the removal or variation of interim orders. Each case is different, and your defence strategy must reflect your unique circumstances and protect both you and your children.
Swift Action to Protect Your Relationship With Your Children
What Fathers can expect when they work with Unified Lawyers?
Choosing Unified Lawyers to protect your rights as a father is one of the smartest moves you can make. We pair deep knowledge of Australian family-law courts with a clear focus on fathers custody rights, parenting time and fair property outcomes. Every client gets the time, attention and straight-talk communication they deserve, making us the preferred choice for dads’ legal matters.
Here are some other reasons why people choose us:
Prompt and Strategic
We move fast, responding to all enquiries within 30 minutes, because timing is crucial when parenting time or contact with your kids is at stake. From your first call to final orders, we act decisively and keep you one step ahead.
Clear and Straight-Talking
Family-law jargon helps no one. We explain every option in plain English, answer your questions and make sure you have all the facts to make confident, informed decisions at every stage of your matter.
Transparent Pricing & Real Value for Dads
We know cost matters, especially when you’re navigating child support, shared care or financial stress after separation. That’s why we offer straightforward, flexible billing and never charge for things like brief phone calls, printing or postage. You’ll always receive a clear cost estimate upfront, so you can plan ahead with confidence and avoid surprises down the track.
Decades of Experience Supporting Fathers
Our family law team brings together decades of experience across parenting, custody, financial disputes and fathers’ rights cases. We’ve worked with dads from all walks of life and understand the real-world challenges you’re facing. With deep knowledge of the Family Law Act, court expectations and shared parenting plans, we’ll guide you to the outcome that best protects your role as a father.
600+
5 Star Reviews and Thousands of Lives Transformed
At Unified Lawyers, results matter because they matter to you. We’ve helped more than 8000+ clients across Australia resolve their family law matters with care and expertise.
Francesco Turini
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the service you provided. I am very satisfied with the professionalism, friendliness, and courtesy you demonstrated throughout our interactions. It made a significant difference in addressing my concerns. Your support and guidance were invaluable, and I feel fortunate to have had you on my side. Especially Thank you to Kristine Tran, and Justin Pasqualino. Best regards, Francesco
Rasha Al-Ahmed
It was truly an honor to work with Jessica Balic during one of the most difficult and sensitive periods of my life — a highly complex international child custody case. Despite the challenges, Jessica managed the matter with remarkable professionalism, calmness, and precision. From the very first day, Jessica demonstrated exceptional dedication and genuine care for every detail of my case. She was always prepared, meticulous, and clear in explaining every legal step in a way that was easy to understand. I strongly recommend Jessica Balic to anyone dealing with a complex family or custody matter. She is a lawyer who combines professionalism, intelligence, and deep human compassion — a rare and invaluable combination in this field, Thank you Jessica for helping me get my daughter and my life back.
Rachael Belle Myers
I am truly grateful for the support and guidance I received from Diana Melas throughout my financial separation. She was calm, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable from start to finish. Diana explained my rights clearly, outlined all available options, and ensured I felt informed and confident in every decision I made. Diana led with both empathy and strength. I feel very fortunate to have found a lawyer who combines expertise with such kindness and professionalism. Highly Recommend.
Fiona Henderson
I engaged Unified Lawyers for a family law matter at a time when I felt confused and vulnerable. From the outset, Sophia Bechara and Louise Cassar provided clear guidance, strong support, and genuine care. I never felt alone during the process. They protected me from intimidation and helped me stand my ground with confidence. Thanks to their expertise and professionalism in family law, I achieved a fair and just outcome, the best possible result for both me and my children. I’m incredibly grateful and would highly recommend Unified Lawyers to anyone navigating a family law matter who needs both compassion and strength on their side.
Eddie Gerdak
It is without hesitation that I recommend Ms. Ryan to anyone seeking dedicated and compassionate legal representation in family law matters. I also wish to commend your firm for having someone of her calibre on your team. Her commitment to her clients and her integrity as a professional reflect extremely well on your practice. I sincerely thank Ms. Ryan for her unwavering and continued support and guidance, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services and your firm, Unified Lawyers, to future clients in need of outstanding legal representation.
Ju Moon
I received professional and efficient help with my family law matter, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. The team , especially my lawyer, Ms. Jessica O’Brien was professional, thorough, and guided me with great expertise and care. Communication was always prompt, and I consistently felt confident that my best interests were being looked after. If you’re seeking a reliable and compassionate family law firm, I highly recommend them.
Francesco Turini
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the service you provided. I am very satisfied with the professionalism, friendliness, and courtesy you demonstrated throughout our interactions. It made a significant difference in addressing my concerns. Your support and guidance were invaluable, and I feel fortunate to have had you on my side. Especially Thank you to Kristine Tran, and Justin Pasqualino. Best regards, Francesco
Rasha Al-Ahmed
It was truly an honor to work with Jessica Balic during one of the most difficult and sensitive periods of my life — a highly complex international child custody case. Despite the challenges, Jessica managed the matter with remarkable professionalism, calmness, and precision. From the very first day, Jessica demonstrated exceptional dedication and genuine care for every detail of my case. She was always prepared, meticulous, and clear in explaining every legal step in a way that was easy to understand. I strongly recommend Jessica Balic to anyone dealing with a complex family or custody matter. She is a lawyer who combines professionalism, intelligence, and deep human compassion — a rare and invaluable combination in this field, Thank you Jessica for helping me get my daughter and my life back.
Rachael Belle Myers
I am truly grateful for the support and guidance I received from Diana Melas throughout my financial separation. She was calm, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable from start to finish. Diana explained my rights clearly, outlined all available options, and ensured I felt informed and confident in every decision I made. Diana led with both empathy and strength. I feel very fortunate to have found a lawyer who combines expertise with such kindness and professionalism. Highly Recommend.
Fiona Henderson
I engaged Unified Lawyers for a family law matter at a time when I felt confused and vulnerable. From the outset, Sophia Bechara and Louise Cassar provided clear guidance, strong support, and genuine care. I never felt alone during the process. They protected me from intimidation and helped me stand my ground with confidence. Thanks to their expertise and professionalism in family law, I achieved a fair and just outcome, the best possible result for both me and my children. I’m incredibly grateful and would highly recommend Unified Lawyers to anyone navigating a family law matter who needs both compassion and strength on their side.
Eddie Gerdak
It is without hesitation that I recommend Ms. Ryan to anyone seeking dedicated and compassionate legal representation in family law matters. I also wish to commend your firm for having someone of her calibre on your team. Her commitment to her clients and her integrity as a professional reflect extremely well on your practice. I sincerely thank Ms. Ryan for her unwavering and continued support and guidance, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services and your firm, Unified Lawyers, to future clients in need of outstanding legal representation.
Ju Moon
I received professional and efficient help with my family law matter, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. The team , especially my lawyer, Ms. Jessica O’Brien was professional, thorough, and guided me with great expertise and care. Communication was always prompt, and I consistently felt confident that my best interests were being looked after. If you’re seeking a reliable and compassionate family law firm, I highly recommend them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fathers Rights & Family Law
Can fathers get full custody of their children?
Yes, fathers can be granted sole custody (sole parental responsibility) if it is in the best interests of the child. The Family Law Act prioritises the child’s welfare above all else, so if the court determines the child is better off living primarily with their father, it will make orders accordingly.
What legal rights do dads have after separation?
Yes, under Australian family law, fathers and mothers have equal parental rights by default. The law does not favour one parent over the other. Courts focus on shared responsibility and what arrangements serve the child’s best interests, emotionally, physically and psychologically.
Can a father stop a mother from relocating with their child?
Yes, if the proposed move would significantly disrupt the father’s relationship with the child. You can apply to the court to prevent the relocation or to modify existing parenting orders to reflect new arrangements.
What can I do if the mother is withholding my child?
If you have a parenting plan or court order in place and the mother is not complying, you can apply to the Family Court to enforce the agreement. In urgent cases, we can help you file recovery orders or other emergency applications to restore contact with your child.
Is the family court biased against fathers?
This is a common concern, but the law is written to be gender-neutral. Many fathers feel disadvantaged, particularly if informal parenting arrangements have broken down. That’s why having an experienced fathers’ rights lawyer is essential, to make sure your voice is heard and your rights are fully exercised.
Where are Unified Lawyers’ services for fathers available?
We work with fathers across Australia, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and beyond. You can speak with our team via video, phone or in person at any of our offices, and we’ll tailor our support to your location and needs.
