Guiding Australians and expats through cross-border separations, complex jurisdiction battles, and hidden foreign wealth, fairly and fast.
INTERNATIONAL FAMILY LAW IN BRISBANE
Queensland families are more internationally connected than a generation ago. Plenty of people in Brisbane have come from New Zealand, the UK, South Africa or across Asia and the Pacific, and many work fly-in fly-out or on overseas postings that leave assets and family across borders. When those relationships break down, an ordinary separation turns into a cross-border one.
In Queensland, divorce, property and parenting go through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, with the Brisbane registry covering the south-east and registries in Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton serving the regions. Add a foreign element and new questions land: which country should decide, what happens to an overseas asset, whether a child can travel. This is the Brisbane side of our wider international family law practice.
— WHY UNIFIED
A cross-border matter in Queensland calls for a lawyer who’s comfortable with both the local court and the foreign side. Here’s what Brisbane clients get from us.
From filing in the Brisbane registry to how local judges handle urgent travel and parenting, you’re not footing the bill for us to find our feet.
Plain English first, and another language if that’s easier for you.
You’ll know what a defined stage costs before we begin it.
It’s the whole practice, so a local Brisbane team is behind your matter, backed by 600+ reviews.
— WHAT TO EXPECT
Here’s what working with us on a Brisbane international matter looks like, start to finish.
1
Which countries, which courts and which deadlines are in the mix, before we point you anywhere.
2
A child booked to leave the country or an overseas court date doesn’t wait its turn.
3
Clear updates in everyday language, so you’re never guessing where your matter is up to.
4
A frank view of what you can realistically achieve under Queensland and foreign law.
5
You’ll see the fees coming, every step.
A no-cost session with a Brisbane family lawyer, about 20–30 minutes. You’ll come out with the urgent steps, if any, and a clear idea of what comes next.
— STAYING ON TRACK
A cross-border matter loses months when nobody’s driving it. We make sure someone is.
01
You’ll know the likely steps and rough timing through the Brisbane registry before we start.
02
When something moves overseas or a court date lands, you hear it from us, not the other side.
03
We work toward a sensible settlement and reserve court for when it’s the right call.
— WHAT WE HANDLE
Most Brisbane matters fall into one of the areas below. Pick the one that fits; each opens the page that deals with it in full.
FEATURED · INTERNATIONAL DIVORCE IN BRISBANE
Married overseas and now separating in Queensland? You can usually divorce here if you or your spouse are Australian, call Australia home, or have lived here for the last 12 months. If a divorce was already granted abroad, the question is whether it’s recognised here.
If a child has been taken from Queensland or kept overseas without consent, urgent steps may be open to you.
Want to move abroad with your child, or stop the other parent taking them from Brisbane? Begin here.
Property or a business offshore alongside your Queensland assets? See how a settlement treats them.
Worried a child is about to be taken out of the country? Learn what a DPO can do.
Find out whether an overseas divorce is valid in Queensland.
— OVERSEAS PROPERTY
Brisbane settlements often reach well past the family home: a rental back in New Zealand, a business interest in Asia, an overseas account from a posting abroad. A Queensland settlement runs through the same four steps; the offshore part simply takes more legwork.
01
The Queensland home, super, and any foreign property, account or business all belong in the pool, whoever’s name they’re under.
02
Financial and non-financial, here and abroad, across the life of the relationship.
03
Care of children, earning capacity, health and age, and any genuine hurdle in reaching an asset held in another country.
04
A division that’s fair all round and that can actually be enforced across the borders in play.
An offshore asset stays part of a Queensland settlement even when held abroad, though getting to it can mean taking steps in that country.
overseas real estate
offshore accounts
foreign businesses
international super & pensions
undisclosed assets
enforcing QLD orders overseas
— CHILDREN ACROSS BORDERS
Plenty of Queensland parenting matters involve a parent who lives or works overseas: a FIFO roster, a posting abroad, family on another continent. That shapes arrangements, and raises the stakes if trust breaks down.
Where one parent is overseas or away for long stretches, the plan has to be practical: travel, holidays and regular contact that holds up across time zones.
Queensland matters start from the child’s best interests, not a set 50/50 split.
An international relocation with a child generally needs the other parent’s consent or a court order. Go without it and the move can be undone.
Where a child has been wrongfully removed or kept abroad, the Hague Convention may offer a path to return. Fear an imminent departure? The court can order a child not be removed and place them on the Family Law Watchlist, including at Brisbane Airport.
Hague Convention applications
child abduction
Family Law Watchlist orders
recovery orders
overseas travel & contact
If you think a child might be taken out of Brisbane in the next few days, ring us now; moving fast makes a real difference.
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OUR PROMISE TO EVERY CLIENT
— FEES & VALUE
International matters can run up costs if nobody’s watching them. We keep ours clear and controlled.
Up front, we’ll tell you what your matter is likely to take and what that means for fees.
For defined stages, we’ll set a price so you’re not watching the meter.
If something changes the scope, we raise it with you before any work is done.
If a step isn’t worth what it costs you, we’ll tell you.
A free, no-obligation chat with a Sydney family lawyer.
Short, plain-English answers to the questions we hear most. Can’t see yours? Ask us. The first conversation is free.
Our office is in Brisbane and looks after clients across South-East Queensland and the regions. You’re welcome to come in, but you don’t have to; most international matters run perfectly well by phone and video, including for Queenslanders currently overseas.
These matters go through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, with the Brisbane registry covering the south-east and registries in Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton serving the regions.
Usually yes, if you or your spouse are Australian, treat Australia as home, or have lived here for the last 12 months. An overseas marriage is generally recognised here.
An overseas divorce is often recognised in Australia, but it depends on where and how it was granted. We can check whether yours is recognised here.
Both Queensland and overseas assets form part of the one property pool. The offshore part can take extra steps to value and enforce, but it still counts.
An international relocation generally needs the other parent’s consent or a court order. Moving without one can be undone, so get advice first.
The court can order that a child not be removed and place them on the Family Law Watchlist, which covers Brisbane Airport. If it’s urgent, contact us straight away.
It depends on the matter, but we’re upfront about cost, set fixed fees where we can, and your first consultation is free.
The quickest way to a clear answer is a short, free chat with a family lawyer, by phone or video, around your time zone.
Or call 1300 000 000
— OUR BRISBANE OFFICE
Our Brisbane office is a local base for clients across the CBD, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the wider south-east. In regional Queensland or overseas, we run things by phone and video.
Brisbane CBD
Level 19, 10 Eagle Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
By phone and video where that’s easier.
1300 667 461
24/7
or call 1300 000 000
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.
Andrew Benz
Jessica O’Brien handled my matter which involved drawing up a formal agreement for the division of property post-separation which was filed with the courts. This was done in a highly efficient, very professional and low stress way, minimising costs and time. Jessica is a very kind, warm and empathetic person who genuinely cares. She listens to you carefully and is keen to know what outcomes you wish to achieve and how you want to go about things, consulting with you throughout the whole process. Separation and divorce are invariably highly stressful life events and the way that Jessica handled everything really reduced this stress. Thank you once again, Jessica.
Shaymaa El Kafrawy
I cannot recommend Mark Youssef and the team at Unified Lawyers highly enough. Going through family law proceedings was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but having Mark represent me made an enormous difference. Before working with him, I had already been represented by two other lawyers, and the level of support, organisation, strategy, and dedication I received from Mark was truly on another level. From day one, I felt supported and protected. Mark and his team were always responsive, professional, and prepared. No matter how stressful the situation became, I always knew my matter was being handled with care, attention, and genuine commitment. What impressed me most about Mark was not only his strong legal knowledge and courtroom presence, but also how deeply invested he was in achieving the best possible outcome. He is incredibly strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Throughout the case, I felt like I had a whole team fighting for me every step of the way.
Felicia Richards
I can’t thank Santino enough for his support, professionalism, and guidance throughout our matter. His level of knowledge, compassion, and dedication has been unmatched. He has a rare ability to balance exceptional legal expertise with genuine care and understanding, making an incredibly difficult process feel far more manageable. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing Santino was in my corner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled lawyer.
Jimmy Vu
I cannot thank Eliza Harley enough for helping me through my family law matter. She was very professional, compassionate and took the time to explain the processes clearly. Her expertise helped me navigate a challenging situation with confidence. I would highly recommend her for anyone seeking any legal assistance regarding family law.
Georgina
I highly recommend Unified Lawyers and especially Jessica Adamovich. She handled our family law matter with the utmost professionalism and was always willing to listen to our concerns and expectations. Thankfully due to her professionalism we were able to achieve the outcome we had hoped for
Ellen Cook
I am beyond thankful for Andrew Morrison and his team at Unified Lawyers. From the first phone call, Andrew listened to me and provided helpful information about my separation. The initial appointment helped me unpack my options and empowered me to know what to do next. Andrew was quick to reply to emails and was there to help. He successfully helped me seperate well from my ex without having to go to court and I can not thank him enough for this. I highly recommend Andrew Morrison!
Andrew Benz
Jessica O’Brien handled my matter which involved drawing up a formal agreement for the division of property post-separation which was filed with the courts. This was done in a highly efficient, very professional and low stress way, minimising costs and time. Jessica is a very kind, warm and empathetic person who genuinely cares. She listens to you carefully and is keen to know what outcomes you wish to achieve and how you want to go about things, consulting with you throughout the whole process. Separation and divorce are invariably highly stressful life events and the way that Jessica handled everything really reduced this stress. Thank you once again, Jessica.
Shaymaa El Kafrawy
I cannot recommend Mark Youssef and the team at Unified Lawyers highly enough. Going through family law proceedings was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but having Mark represent me made an enormous difference. Before working with him, I had already been represented by two other lawyers, and the level of support, organisation, strategy, and dedication I received from Mark was truly on another level. From day one, I felt supported and protected. Mark and his team were always responsive, professional, and prepared. No matter how stressful the situation became, I always knew my matter was being handled with care, attention, and genuine commitment. What impressed me most about Mark was not only his strong legal knowledge and courtroom presence, but also how deeply invested he was in achieving the best possible outcome. He is incredibly strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Throughout the case, I felt like I had a whole team fighting for me every step of the way.
Felicia Richards
I can’t thank Santino enough for his support, professionalism, and guidance throughout our matter. His level of knowledge, compassion, and dedication has been unmatched. He has a rare ability to balance exceptional legal expertise with genuine care and understanding, making an incredibly difficult process feel far more manageable. I always felt supported, informed, and confident knowing Santino was in my corner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and highly skilled lawyer.
Jimmy Vu
I cannot thank Eliza Harley enough for helping me through my family law matter. She was very professional, compassionate and took the time to explain the processes clearly. Her expertise helped me navigate a challenging situation with confidence. I would highly recommend her for anyone seeking any legal assistance regarding family law.
Georgina
I highly recommend Unified Lawyers and especially Jessica Adamovich. She handled our family law matter with the utmost professionalism and was always willing to listen to our concerns and expectations. Thankfully due to her professionalism we were able to achieve the outcome we had hoped for
Ellen Cook
I am beyond thankful for Andrew Morrison and his team at Unified Lawyers. From the first phone call, Andrew listened to me and provided helpful information about my separation. The initial appointment helped me unpack my options and empowered me to know what to do next. Andrew was quick to reply to emails and was there to help. He successfully helped me seperate well from my ex without having to go to court and I can not thank him enough for this. I highly recommend Andrew Morrison!
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