Family Lawyers Sydney
For when it’s time to go separate ways
It’s a big deal to claim we’re the best family lawyers in Sydney, but we stand by it. Why? Because we’re proud of our family law team and the services we provide.
You see, we believe being the best requires a whole range of things. It’s not only about our family law experience, although we’ve got plenty. It’s about our abilities to:
- Listen to you
- Problem-solve the issues
- Plan the strategies
- Reduce conflict
- Anticipate how your former partner may respond
And, most importantly, were great at communicating. Regularly. Clearly. Honestly. With your best interests as our top priority.
We have lawyers who are also fluent in Arabic, Greek, Lebanese, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese. Language is no barrier to providing you with top family law legal services.
Need more proof? We’ve been rated in the Top Three Best Sydney Family Lawyers for 8 consecutive years.
“Unified Lawyers rated top three best Sydney family lawyers for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.”
Source: Threebestrated.com.au
When it’s time to go separate ways, we’re here to help you find your path
Separating from your partner or spouse can be one of the most challenging times in your life. You’re not only dealing with the upset of your relationship ending, but there’s also property to divide, new living arrangements to work out, pets to consider and your kids well being to ensure.
Even if you and your former partner are on good terms, a divorce or separation is usually complicated and difficult.
So how do you get through?
With the leading Sydney family law specialists on your side. That’s where we come in. Our lawyers understand that marriage breakdowns and the process of separation can be traumatic, uncertain and lead to complex family law matters. That’s why we’re here for you.
When it’s time to go separate ways, we’re here to help you find your path
Separating from your partner or spouse can be one of the most challenging times in your life. You’re not only dealing with the upset of your relationship ending, but there’s also property to divide, new living arrangements to work out, pets to consider and your kids well being to ensure.
Even if you and your former partner are on good terms, a divorce or separation is usually complicated and difficult.
So how do you get through?
With the leading Sydney family law specialists on your side. That’s where we come in. Our lawyers understand that marriage breakdowns and the process of separation can be traumatic, uncertain and lead to complex family law matters. That’s why we’re here for you.
When it’s time to go separate ways, we’re here to help you find your path
Separating from your partner or spouse can be one of the most challenging times in your life. You’re not only dealing with the upset of your relationship ending, but there’s also property to divide, new living arrangements to work out, pets to consider and your kids well being to ensure.
Even if you and your former partner are on good terms, a divorce or separation is usually complicated and difficult.
So how do you get through?
With the leading Sydney family law specialists on your side. That’s where we come in. Our lawyers understand that marriage breakdowns and the process of separation can be traumatic, uncertain and lead to complex family law matters. That’s why we’re here for you.
What you can expect from
our Sydney family lawyers
When you engage Unified Lawyers as
your family law solicitors, we'll make it our mission to:
- Take the time to listen and understand your situation
- Help you get back on your feet
- Assist you to move on with your life
- Resolve your matter efficiently and cost-effectively
Most importantly, we’ll communicate. We will:
- Give you clear advice, when you need it
- Help you understand the legal issues
- Provide the information you need to make the best decisions
- Give you written information about how we work, including our fees, and what you’re entitled to expect from us
- Respect your rights to confidentiality
But that’s not all.
Instructing a family lawyer is a big commitment. You want to make sure you’re getting the best possible representation. You want to know you’re getting value for your hard-earned money. And its important you feel confident that you’ve picked the family lawyer who’s right for you.
We get it.
It’s why we offer a free first consultation to all new clients. You can use this time to ask some general questions, work out whether your family law specialist understands your situation and get a feel for how best to resolve your family law issues.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
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Sarah Taylor
During 2021 I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Antoinette Marie Gauci from Unified Family Lawyers.
After meeting and consulting with more than one firm I choose to work with Antoinette as I navigated my separation and property settlement. From the initial appointment to final settlement I found Antoinette to be informative, supportive and fair in the advise she offered . I always felt as though my best interests were being highlighted and all of my communications were answered promptly.
Apart from offering exceptional service I also felt that UFA was very reasonably priced.
I would highly recommend working with Unified Family Lawyers.
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KKat T
I’m so thankful for the service provided by Unified Family Lawyers in regards to my family matter. Frances and Tania were exceptional in all areas – from being highly professional, empathetic, approachable and responsive to all my legal needs. Together they obtained the optimal outcome for me and now I have my life in order. I highly recommend.
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Luci-Anne Kreller
Would highly recommend Unified Lawyers. They were highly professional and compassionate, addressing challenging issues and working to resolve them. They were always available to assist and clarified complex processes.
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Jjkravitz26
Alex and Donna are unparalleled professionals and experts in their fields. If you are going through a difficult divorce, it can be really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Alex and Donna have helped make this emotionally stressful time as easy as I think it can be with their down to earth and diligent communication. They take a lot of pride in their work and they are extremely talented and experienced. I genuinely feel like I am in very capable and caring hands. I can’t be any more grateful to them and the whole Unified Family Lawyers team. If you want someone on your side, you need to speak to Alex and Donna!
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Kristenn Wong
Navigating separation and divorce can typically be an emotionally, mentally and financially onerous undertaking.
However, engaging Unified Lawyers and entrusting my matter to the highly capable and consistently responsive team of Alex Bourne and Chris Kissoglou has certainly alleviated my stress, knowing that they were acting in my best interests with their sensible and pragmatic advice. With their skilled assistance, I was able to finalise my parenting plan and property settlement via mediation with a pleasing outcome that obviated the protracted costs of litigation.
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Shreya
Highly recommend Unified Lawyers and a special mention to the lawyer who assisted me with my case – Donna Nguyen. She was thoroughly professional since the day I contacted her, always on top of asking for information, filing the case on time and ensuring communication was top notch every step of the way. Most importantly very upfront around fees structure and was very informative around any hidden fees throughout the process. If every lawyer was like her, there wouldn’t ever be a single person left in doubt around laws and court procedures. She’s an absolute rockstar!
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Geetha De Silva
When looking for a family lawyer, a firm in the city asked for a large sum upfront to start with. With unified lawyers, upfront fee was reasonable and affordable for someone going through a difficult period in their life. I was invoiced monthly as I went, which was helpful. Taylor Reardon was my lawyer and she was very friendly and easy to communicate with. She did a great job guiding me through the process and supporting me through the asset split after separation. I highly recommend unified lawyers for family law matters.
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Jjun luo
Tania and her team have done fantastic job for my case. They take my case from my previous lawyer and get everything organised in a short notice. Thanks for their help, I am able to get my property settlement and other devorce matter solved within 2 months. I highly recommend Tania for family law matters.
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SSheilah Janarthanan
I am so glad finally it came to an end!!. Thank you so much Taylor! you have advised me accordingly as to where I stand in my situation, and resolved my problem amicably. I was advised by many to how solicitors over charging their clients, unfortunately, it was not with Unified Family Lawyers. They are so reasonable in terms of charges and understand their clients well. I did the right choice by engaging the right firm.
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muntashir mamun
I recommend Unified Lawyers for any Family or Domestic violence or issues; I have received excellent consultation when I called them first time in regards to an issue related to my neighbour. They first listen to issue and explained what would be potential ways to deal with the issue from lawful perspective and also send an follow up email to confirmed what was discussed. I was very worried with the particular issue but after talking to them I sensed hope and clear understanding what to do next. I give them a five star.
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LLaura Sereno
I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work, you have been absolutely amazing in helping me to finalise this colossal journey. Your support went above and beyond and I will continue our partnership well into the future. I highly recommend your services and can assure you have chosen the right path with Dominic.
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Dale Anderson
I was supported by Unified Lawyers when I failed to appear at a family court matter. I was very pleased that they were able to get my situation undercontrol. I was informed of the procedure and also given excellent advise that resulted with us getting a balanced control back of my situation. We are only getting things started in my matter.I have every indiation and faith that that I am going to have a positive experience.
Thank you very much Alex and Marryanne your knowledge is awesome. I look forward to the case that Marryanne is going to put forward at my next hearing.
Prompt Assistance for Your Matter – Family Lawyers Sydney
We go out of our way to ensure that we provide you with prompt assistance with your family law matters to ensure that you can recover as quick as possible and move on with your life.
To assist you in this difficult time, we will listen to your needs and provide you with a free consultation to help answer all your general family law questions so that you can make informed decisions moving forward.
Our family law services
We provide services in all areas of family law, to clients with many different backgrounds and needs. So, when you engage us, you can feel confident that you’ll get excellent family law advice.
Prompt Assistance for Your Matter – Family Lawyers Sydney
We go out of our way to ensure that we provide you with prompt assistance with your family law matters to ensure that you can recover as quick as possible and move on with your life.
To assist you in this difficult time, we will listen to your needs and provide you with a free consultation to help answer all your general family law questions so that you can make informed decisions moving forward.
Our family law services
We provide services in all areas of family law, to clients with many different backgrounds and needs. So, when you engage us, you can feel confident that you’ll get excellent family law advice.
Prompt Assistance for Your Matter – Family Lawyers Sydney
We go out of our way to ensure that we provide you with prompt assistance with your family law matters to ensure that you can recover as quick as possible and move on with your life.
To assist you in this difficult time, we will listen to your needs and provide you with a free consultation to help answer all your general family law questions so that you can make informed decisions moving forward.
Our family law services
We provide services in all areas of family law, to clients with many different backgrounds and needs. So, when you engage us, you can feel confident that you’ll get excellent family law advice.
Divorce
A divorce is legally known as dissolution of marriage. The Australian divorce system is no fault, meaning that spouses don’t have to prove that the relationship broke down because of the other persons conduct.
How we support you
Separation and divorce is what we deal with on a day to day basis and we understand how stressful and daunting the entire process may seem. This is why we support our clients from the initial discussion all the way through to the end. We do this by:
- Offering a free consultation to guide you down the right path.
- Arranging a face to face meeting to answer all your questions and devise a strategy moving forward for you.
- “Holding your hand” throughout the entire matter and keep you updated every step of the way.
Divorce
A divorce is legally known as dissolution of marriage. The Australian divorce system is no fault, meaning that spouses don’t have to prove that the relationship broke down because of the other persons conduct.
How we support you
Separation and divorce is what we deal with on a day to day basis and we understand how stressful and daunting the entire process may seem. This is why we support our clients from the initial discussion all the way through to the end. We do this by:
- Offering a free consultation to guide you down the right path.
- Arranging a face to face meeting to answer all your questions and devise a strategy moving forward for you.
- “Holding your hand” throughout the entire matter and keep you updated every step of the way.
Divorce
A divorce is legally known as dissolution of marriage. The Australian divorce system is no fault, meaning that spouses don’t have to prove that the relationship broke down because of the other persons conduct.
How we support you
Separation and divorce is what we deal with on a day to day basis and we understand how stressful and daunting the entire process may seem. This is why we support our clients from the initial discussion all the way through to the end. We do this by:
- Offering a free consultation to guide you down the right path.
- Arranging a face to face meeting to answer all your questions and devise a strategy moving forward for you.
- “Holding your hand” throughout the entire matter and keep you updated every step of the way.
Divorce Requirements
Before you can get a divorce, you must be able to show the marriage has broken down with no chance of reconciliation. You must also show that you've been legally separated for at least 12 months.
Getting a divorce in NSW with a family lawyer
If you’re getting divorced, you’ll need an experienced family law specialist to make sure the process is as quick as possible, with the least cost and with the best result. That’s where our Sydney family lawyers come in.
Same-Sex Divorce in Australia
On 9 December 2017, same-sex marriage became legal in Australia. This change in the law now means that same-sex married couples can legally divorce. If you and your same-sex spouse are divorcing, we can help. Our gay and lesbian divorce lawyers have extensive experience in family law issues involving same-sex relationships.
Property and financial issues
Working out how to split property and money can be one of the most complex family law matters that arises from separation and divorce.
How We Can Help
- Outlining the steps involved in resolving property and financial disputes during your free consultation.
- Providing you with straightforward expert advice to protect you and your loved ones.
- Representing you during these tough times and ensuring you receive what you are entitled to.
- Talking you through the entire process and keeping you updated throughout the entire journey.
De Facto Relationships and Property Rights
De facto relationship rights under Australian family law are different from the rights of married couples. When you and your de facto partner separate, your property rights depend on the length of your relationship, whether you have any children together and other factors.
Spousal Maintenance
Spousal support is often a crucial issue for separating or divorcing couples, especially if there’s a big gap between incomes and the future earning abilities of the parties. If spousal maintenance is an issue in your separation or divorce, get help from the top family lawyers Sydney. That’s us.
Property Settlement Mediations
Mediation for property settlements can help you and your former partner work out how to divide your property without the expense of going to court. We’ll help you work out what’s right for your situation and we’ll do our best to make sure you get a great result.
Parenting and Children
Parenting issues are a big part of family law and negotiating arrangements for your children can be more stressful than any other aspect of the family legal system. We'll provide you with the best support and the right advice.
Consent Orders and Financial Agreements
Sometimes, separated couples can agree on how their children should divide their time. When this happens, it’s useful to ask a court to make orders, called consent orders, so the agreement becomes legally enforceable. There are also binding financial agreements. We’ll give you advice on the financial agreement which best suits you.
Child Support
The Child Support Agency usually assesses child support payments, but not all assessments are appropriate. If you think your assessment is unfair, we can help you sort it out.
Grandparent’s Rights
The rights of grandparents is an increasingly common family law issue, especially when grandparents are prevented from visiting grandchildren. We’ll help you sort out your grand parenting issues. Our family solicitors will answer all your questions, in simple and clear language.
Affordable & Dedicated Family Solicitors in Sydney
It’s a big decision to instruct a family lawyer. When your family life is uncertain, using a lawyer can seem like a significant financial risk.
But it’s not a risk. It’s an investment.
An investment in your wellbeing and your family’s future. You want to ensure that you have the absolute best Sydney family law specialist representing you and acting in your best interest. Even so, money is money. That’s why we’re different from many other law family firms. For example, we won’t bill you for:
- Short phone calls
- Faxes
- Printing
- Postage
Affordable & Dedicated Family Solicitors in Sydney
It’s a big decision to instruct a family lawyer. When your family life is uncertain, using a lawyer can seem like a significant financial risk.
But it’s not a risk. It’s an investment.
An investment in your wellbeing and your family’s future. You want to ensure that you have the absolute best Sydney family law specialist representing you and acting in your best interest. Even so, money is money. That’s why we’re different from many other law family firms. For example, we won’t bill you for:
- Short phone calls
- Faxes
- Printing
- Postage
Affordable & Dedicated Family Solicitors in Sydney
It’s a big decision to instruct a family lawyer. When your family life is uncertain, using a lawyer can seem like a significant financial risk.
But it’s not a risk. It’s an investment.
An investment in your wellbeing and your family’s future. You want to ensure that you have the absolute best Sydney family law specialist representing you and acting in your best interest. Even so, money is money. That’s why we’re different from many other law family firms. For example, we won’t bill you for:
- Short phone calls
- Faxes
- Printing
- Postage
Our Costs Explained
Our costs are calculated on time spent (usually an hourly rate) on your family law matter. Charging on an hourly rate is the only fair method to ensure that you only pay for works that we have actually performed.
Before we do any work for you, we’ll tell you in advance of our hourly rates and give you an estimate of the costs. The estimate we provide you will include GST and all potential out of pocket expenses, so that there are no hidden surprises.
Our invoices to you will be detailed and itemised so that you can see exactly what works we have conducted for you.
Our Costs Explained
Our costs are calculated on time spent (usually an hourly rate) on your family law matter. Charging on an hourly rate is the only fair method to ensure that you only pay for works that we have actually performed.
Before we do any work for you, we’ll tell you in advance of our hourly rates and give you an estimate of the costs. The estimate we provide you will include GST and all potential out of pocket expenses, so that there are no hidden surprises.
Our invoices to you will be detailed and itemised so that you can see exactly what works we have conducted for you.
Our Costs Explained
Our costs are calculated on time spent (usually an hourly rate) on your family law matter. Charging on an hourly rate is the only fair method to ensure that you only pay for works that we have actually performed.
Before we do any work for you, we’ll tell you in advance of our hourly rates and give you an estimate of the costs. The estimate we provide you will include GST and all potential out of pocket expenses, so that there are no hidden surprises.
Our invoices to you will be detailed and itemised so that you can see exactly what works we have conducted for you.
Our Family Lawyers Sydney CBD Office
Contact Details
Office Hours
- Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Available by phone 24/7 - Saturday – Sunday By appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a family lawyer cost in Sydney?
An average cost of a family lawyer in Sydney will generally be between $300 to $500 plus GST an hour depending on the lawyer’s experience.
Legal fees are front-of-mind for many clients. They’re often a source of stress. Once we understand your situation and your legal needs, we’ll give you a written cost estimate, and we’ll keep you informed of your costs throughout your entire matter.
To learn more about the average cost of a family lawyer, common billing methods, factors that can influence legal fees, and important questions to ask during your initial meeting, check out our guide on family lawyers’ costs in Australia.
How do I choose a family solicitor?
Take as much time as you need to choose a family lawyer. Having the right lawyer is an essential part of getting the best result for you and your loved ones. We recommend that you choose a family lawyer who:
- Listens carefully
- Takes the time to understand your situation and wishes
- Communicates with you in plain, easy to understand language
- Clearly explains the legal concepts and processes
- Has expertise in similar family law issues
It’s not easy to make this assessment in a short discussion, that’s why we offer a free first consultation where we take the time to listen to you and understand your matter entirely. You can then meet with one of our family lawyers in Sydney, face-to-face, ask the tough questions and get some useful advice. Then you can decide whether we’re right for you.
What should I bring to my first consultation with a family solicitor?
Bring with you any documents which are relevant to your divorce or child custody matter. If you have received any correspondence or court documents from another solicitor, make sure to bring these documents with you.
It may be challenging to work this out, so when you make your appointment, ask what documents you should bring in. We’ll give you some guidance before the appointment. Once we understand your situation, we’ll give you a more detailed list of the documents needed. Please also bring something to take notes, for example, a pen and paper, an iPad or another device.
When should I make an appointment to see a family solicitor?
As a general rule, it’s best to make an appointment with us as soon as you’re aware of a family law issue. For example, if you know that you’re about to separate from your partner, you can make an appointment, even though you haven’t yet separated.
Seeking advice early from a family law specialist means that you know where you stand from the start. Complex family law matters can arise, even when you start off in an amicable position, so knowing your rights and responsibilities right from the start can make the process a lot easier.
Do I need to have a lawyer, or can I represent myself?
There’s no legal requirement for you to engage a family lawyer for most family law matters. Even if the case is likely to go to court, you can represent yourself. However, most people benefit from specialist family law legal advice.
We encourage you to make an appointment. You can use our free first consultation to work out whether you wish to engage us as your family lawyers or not.
Sometimes, all you need is an initial discussion, while for others, they may realise after our discussion that working with a family lawyer will be beneficial to them.
How do I avoid my case going to court?
Couples may avoid court by trying to reach an agreement between themselves. Often, this can happen with the help of their lawyers. They may use mediation and Family Dispute Resolution to reach an agreement. Sometimes an independent person is used to help the parties resolve their issues. This person is known as a mediator.
If a family law issue can’t be resolved, sometimes one or both parties will apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to decide. A court will do this after hearing evidence, weighing up the opinions of experts and considering the legal requirements.
We will explore with you whether it’s possible to settle your family matter without going to court. In many cases, people are able to resolve disputes and family law matters without having to go to Court.
How long will it take to finalise my family law matter?
The time it takes to finalise your family law matter depends on many things, for example:
- How much you and your former partner can agree
- How quickly you’re able to reach agreement
- How many documents you can provide
- How quickly you can provide your instructions
Every case is unique but once you speak with one of our family lawyers, we can discuss time estimates with you.