Family law · Sunshine Coast, QLD

Family lawyers in Sunshine Coast.

Family lawyers in Sunshine Coast: 30 lawyers and firms Doyle’s Guide ranks and places in Sunshine Coast. Every card says which of those it is, and links the source.

Solicitor or firm

Your first call for a family law matter. Runs the matter from the first meeting — advice, negotiation, the paperwork, and court if it comes to that — and briefs a barrister when one is needed.

Contact the firm directly

Accredited specialist

A solicitor a law institute has accredited in a field after formal assessment. We show it only where the listing says so. Ask the firm which register records it.

Ask the firm, or check the register

Barrister

An advocate for hearings, trials and hard points of law. Some accept direct briefs from the public; most work comes through a solicitor.

Usually through your solicitor

Family lawyers we list in Sunshine Coast 30 listed

21 solicitors and 9 law firms, with Doyle’s Guide rankings where they exist and a register note on every listing. We group lawyers by what Doyle’s Guide published and what we have checked ourselves. Inside a group the order is alphabetical, and no lawyer here is rated above another by us.

  1. Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.

  2. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Samantha Bolton

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  3. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Michelle Britton

    Solicitor · Focus Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  4. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Liz Catton

    Solicitor · Catton & Tondelstrand

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  5. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Catton & Tondelstrand

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  6. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Chomley Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  7. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Micaela Chomley

    Solicitor · Chomley Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  8. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Kate Clark

    Solicitor · Kate Clark & Associates

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family Law Mediators - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  9. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Pippa Colman

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Also ranked: Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  10. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Pippa Colman

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman & Associates

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Parenting & Children's Matters Lawyers - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  11. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Bronte Crowley

    Solicitor · BMC Mediations

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family Law Mediators - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  12. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Elizabeth Fairon

    Solicitor · Life Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Parenting & Children's Matters Lawyers - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  13. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Penny Feil

    Solicitor · Accord Mediation

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family Law Mediators - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  14. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Focus Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  15. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Freedom Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  16. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Kathryn Hodges

    Solicitor · Integrated Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Also ranked: Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  17. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Integrated Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  18. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Law Legal

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  19. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Callum Lee

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Rising Star 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Family Law Rising Stars - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  20. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Lucy Wood Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  21. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Fraser Murray

    Solicitor · Life Law Mediations

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family Law Mediators - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  22. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Pippa Colman Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  23. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Jessica Popple

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  24. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Sarah Quilliam

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  25. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Sarah Quilliam

    Solicitor · Pippa Colman & Associates

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Parenting & Children's Matters Lawyers - Regional Queensland, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  26. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Suzanne Stannett

    Solicitor · Freedom Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  27. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Angela Tondelstrand

    Solicitor · Catton & Tondelstrand

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  28. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Toomey Family Law

    Law firm

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  29. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Leisa Toomey

    Solicitor · Toomey Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD as Doyle’s prints it

    Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Also ranked: Leading 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  30. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Louise Ward

    Solicitor · Law Legal

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

  31. Doyle’s Guide ranking

    Lucy Wood

    Solicitor · Lucy Wood Family Law

    Sunshine Coast, QLD

    Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Family & Divorce

    Ranked by Doyle’s Guide 2026 — view the list Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - Sunshine Coast, 2026

    Not yet on Lawyer Reviews — this ranking is Doyle’s

Doyle’s Guide tiers are Doyle’s, from its peer survey, reproduced with attribution. Google ratings are ratings of the firm, not of an individual lawyer. Sponsored placements are labelled. Nobody pays to be listed.

About family law in Sunshine Coast

About family law in Sunshine Coast

Family law in Australia is governed by the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), administered by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The same federal framework applies in every state — but how it’s resolved in practice varies significantly by registry, with different waitlists, court culture, and local Family Dispute Resolution capacity.

Common family law matter types in Sunshine Coast

Common family law matter types in Sunshine Coast

Matter types we see most often in our intake from Sunshine Coast and surrounding suburbs.

Property settlement

The four-step process under s79 — identifying the asset pool, assessing contributions, assessing future needs, and applying the just-and-equitable test. Most matters resolve through consent orders or mediation; only ~30% reach a contested hearing (AIFS 2024).

Parenting orders

Live-with, spend-time and parental-responsibility arrangements. The 2024 amendments removed the equal-shared-parental-responsibility presumption — the court now decides on the child’s best interests with no statutory starting point.

Binding Financial Agreements

Pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation BFAs under Part VIIIA. Used to provide certainty without court involvement, though both parties must take independent advice and the agreement can be set aside in narrow circumstances.

Divorce applications

Filed after 12 months of separation. Sole or joint application, $1,170 filing fee (concession $390). Usually a 1–3 month process and rarely requires personal court attendance.

Spousal & child maintenance

Spousal maintenance under Part VIII; child support administered separately through Services Australia. Property and parenting orders frequently include maintenance terms.

Family violence proceedings

Apprehended Violence Orders, Intervention Orders and equivalent state-based protective orders. Often run concurrently with parenting and property matters.

How to choose a family law lawyer in Sunshine Coast

How to choose a family law lawyer in Sunshine Coast

Five questions that determine whether the lawyer in front of you is the right fit for your matter.

  • Practice focus matters. Family law is its own discipline with distinct evidence rules, procedure, and culture. A general-practice solicitor who does the occasional family matter will move more slowly and miss procedural points an experienced family lawyer would not. Look for at least 5 years of family-law focus.
  • Accredited Specialist status. Each state Law Society runs a specialist accreditation scheme. The certification is examined and re-credentialed; lawyers carrying it have demonstrated above-average expertise in family law.
  • Fee transparency. Costs disclosure under the Legal Profession Uniform Law is mandatory before a lawyer starts acting. Ask for fixed fees on consent-orders work and a written total estimate for negotiated or contested matters. Compare two or three estimates before engaging.
  • Pathway philosophy. Some lawyers default to litigation; others lean to mediation and consent orders. Ask the lawyer how a matter like yours typically resolves in their practice. The right lawyer aligns with your appetite for negotiated resolution.
  • Pro bono / Legal Aid eligibility. If financially constrained, ask whether the lawyer takes Legal Aid grants or has pro bono capacity. Legal Aid family law is means-tested but covers many separating couples.

Same practice · other cities

Find family lawyers in other Australian cities

Other practice areas in Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast lawyers across other practice areas

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