Database · Adelaide

Best Family Lawyer in Adelaide, 2026

11 family law firms in Adelaide, 2026, ranked by number of Accredited Specialists in Family Law (the strongest in-vertical credential, awarded by the state Law Society / LIV after multi-year practical assessment). Top firms have 5 to 11 Accredited Specialists; the average solo Sydney or Melbourne family-law solicitor has none. We also flag Doyle's Guide listings, mediation and collaborative-law specialty for clients trying to avoid court, and area focus (divorce, property settlement, parenting, BFAs, surrogacy). Coverage spans Adelaide, North Adelaide, Glenelg, Norwood, Unley and Prospect.

11 providers ranked No paid placements

The Legal Desk · Editorial team, family law + personal injury + migration · Updated 11 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

Which is the best family lawyer in Adelaide?

Our top-ranked family lawyer in Adelaide for 2026 is David Burrell & Co — David Burrell & Co (Walkerville, Adelaide) operates with SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law. Runners-up: Andersons Solicitors and Resolve Divorce. All 11 providers in this guide serve Adelaide and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 11 providers profiled in Adelaide, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

★Key takeaways

✓11 listed providers operate in Adelaide, SA (of 117 nationally).
✓Coverage focus: Adelaide, North Adelaide, Glenelg, Norwood, Unley.
✓Our #1 pick for Adelaide: David Burrell & Co — best for parents working out custody, contact and child support.
✓Typical family lawyers pricing in Adelaide: $1,000 to $5,000.
✓Independent comparison, no paid placements. Last reviewed 11 June 2026.

11 Verified Family Lawyers in Adelaide, Ranked

David Burrell & Co

SA Accredited Specialist Doyle's Guide listed Walkerville

David Burrell & Co (Walkerville, Adelaide) operates with SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: property settlement, spousal maintenance, child support, parenting/child custody, de facto.

Best for: Parents working out custody, contact and child support

Two solicitors (Samuel Burrell and Alicia Furman) are Law Society of SA Accredited Specialists in Family Law.

Firm website → (08) 8269 7722

Note: Accredited Specialist status confirmed on the firm's own site; Second Tier ranking confirmed on Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings.

Andersons Solicitors

SA Accredited Specialist Doyle's Guide listed Adelaide CBD

Andersons Solicitors, a firm with SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law, is based in Adelaide CBD. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents working out custody, contact and child support

Partner Ryan Thomas is a Law Society of SA Accredited Specialist in Family Law (one of a small number in SA).

Firm website → (08) 8238 6666

Note: Accredited Specialist status confirmed on Andersons' own lawyer profile page; Third Tier firm ranking confirmed on Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings.

Resolve Divorce

SA Accredited Specialist Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Collaborative law North Adelaide

Resolve Divorce runs a SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law practice in North Adelaide. Trained in mediation and collaborative law. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Three team members (Rose Cocchiaro, Chanel Martin, Vanessa Camerlengo) are Law Society of SA Accredited Specialists in Family Law.

Firm website → (08) 7228 6110

Note: Accredited Specialist and mediator credentials confirmed on the firm's Our People page; Recommended firm ranking confirmed on Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings; address/phone confirmed via firm contact details.

Divorce Legal

SA Accredited Specialist Collaborative law Prospect

Divorce Legal is a Prospect family-law firm with SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law. Trained in collaborative law.

Accredited Specialists

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, spousal maintenance, child support.

Best for: Parents working out custody, contact and child support

Principal Selina Nikoloudakis is a Law Society of SA Accredited Specialist in Family Law.

Firm website → (08) 7160 0123

Note: Accredited Specialist status confirmed on the firm's own homepage; address and phone confirmed on the same site.

DBH Lawyers (Duncan Basheer Hannon)

SA Accredited Specialist Doyle's Guide listed Adelaide CBD

DBH Lawyers (Duncan Basheer Hannon) (Adelaide CBD, Adelaide) operates with SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents working out custody, contact and child support

Head of family law Jane Fox is a Law Society of SA Accredited Specialist in Family Law and a Doyle's Guide Recommended Family & Divorce Lawyer (SA).

Firm website → (08) 8216 3337

Note: Accredited Specialist status and Doyle's recommendations confirmed via DBH's team profile and the familylaw.com.au lawyer listing; CBD address and direct phone confirmed.

Swan Family Lawyers

SA Accredited Specialist Mediation Collaborative law Adelaide CBD

Swan Family Lawyers, a firm with SA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law, is based in Adelaide CBD. Trained in mediation and collaborative law.

Accredited Specialists

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, de facto, BFA/financial agreements.

Best for: Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Principal Christopher Swan was accredited as a Family Law Specialist by the Law Society of SA in 2008.

Firm website → (08) 8227 1970

Note: Accredited Specialist status reported via Law Society of SA accredited specialist context and search; CBD address, phone, mediation and full specialisation list confirmed on the firm's own website.

BBS Lawyers & Mediators

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Adelaide CBD

BBS Lawyers & Mediators runs a family law practice in Adelaide CBD. Trained in mediation. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Ranked a First Tier (Top Tier) Family & Divorce Law Firm in South Australia by Doyle's Guide 2024.

Firm website → (08) 8110 2301

Note: Confirmed via Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings (First Tier) and the firm's own homepage listing services, CBD address and phone.

Howe Jenkin Family Lawyers & Mediators

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Adelaide CBD

Howe Jenkin Family Lawyers & Mediators is a Adelaide CBD family-law firm with family law practice. Trained in mediation. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Ranked a First Tier Family & Divorce Law Firm in South Australia by Doyle's Guide (2024/2026).

Firm website → (08) 8232 8422

Note: Confirmed via Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings (First Tier) and the firm's homepage, which displays a Doyle's First Tier badge plus CBD address and phone.

Jordan & Fowler Family Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Adelaide CBD

Jordan & Fowler Family Lawyers (Adelaide CBD, Adelaide) operates with family law practice. Trained in mediation. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Ranked a Second Tier Family & Divorce Law Firm in South Australia by Doyle's Guide 2024.

Firm website → (08) 8221 5400

Note: Second Tier ranking confirmed on Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings; CBD address, phone, arbitration/mediation and specialisations confirmed on the firm's homepage.

Norman Waterhouse Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Adelaide CBD

Norman Waterhouse Lawyers, a family law practice, is based in Adelaide CBD. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents working out custody, contact and child support

Family law principal Jill Miller is listed as a Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer (SA) by Doyle's Guide 2024.

Firm website → (08) 8210 1200

Note: Doyle's 2024 recognition confirmed on Norman Waterhouse's own news page and the Doyle's Guide SA firm rankings (Third Tier); CBD address confirmed on firm site.

Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Adelaide CBD

Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers runs a family law practice in Adelaide CBD. Trained in mediation. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: divorce, property settlement, parenting/child custody, child support, spousal maintenance.

Best for: Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Listed as a Recommended Family & Divorce Law Firm in South Australia by Doyle's Guide 2024.

Firm website → (08) 8212 1077

Note: Recommended ranking confirmed on Doyle's Guide 2024 SA firm rankings; CBD address, phone, mediation and specialisations confirmed on the firm's family law page.

Family Lawyer in Adelaide, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅	Price range ⇅	Service coverage ⇅	Best for ⇅
David Burrell & Co	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	2 Accredited Specialists in Family Law (LSSA)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Andersons Solicitors	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Ryan Thomas, LSSA)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Resolve Divorce	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	3 Accredited Specialists in Family Law (LSSA)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Divorce Legal	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Selina Nikoloudakis, LSSA)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
DBH Lawyers (Duncan Basheer Hannon)	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Jane Fox, LSSA)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Swan Family Lawyers	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Christopher Swan, since 2008)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
BBS Lawyers & Mediators	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Doyle's Guide First Tier firm (SA)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Howe Jenkin Family Lawyers & Mediators	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Doyle's Guide First Tier firm (SA)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Jordan & Fowler Family Lawyers	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Doyle's Guide Second Tier firm (SA)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Norman Waterhouse Lawyers	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Doyle's Guide Third Tier firm (SA)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Doyle's Guide Recommended firm (SA)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court

Pricing and availability data checked against public sources at time of publication. We do not host first-party reviews; star ratings have been removed from this directory pending a moderated review-collection process.

How we rank family lawyer in Adelaide

We rank providers on objective, publicly verifiable signals — never on star reviews, which we do not collect on this site. We weight regulator registration and credentials (the relevant Australian body for this profession), information transparency (published fees, clear scope), specialisation and service coverage, and operating track record. Compare Divorce Lawyers does not accept payment to feature or rank providers; where referral fees apply, they are disclosed in our footer and do not affect position.

Common questions

FAQs: family lawyer in Adelaide

Who is the best family lawyer in Adelaide?

Our 2026 ranking puts David Burrell & Co first for Adelaide, best for parents working out custody, contact and child support. We rank on verifiable credentials, information transparency and service coverage — not paid placement. "Best" depends on your specific needs, so use our ranking criteria below and compare 2–3 before committing.

How much do family lawyers cost in Adelaide?

Services typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000 in Adelaide in 2026, depending on scope, provider seniority, and specialisation. Most providers offer free initial quotes; comparing 3 or more before committing is a common consumer approach.

How quickly can I get a quote in Adelaide?

Most family lawyers in Adelaide respond to quote requests within 24 hours, and many within the same business day. Submitting your requirements once through a comparison service like Compare Divorce Lawyers returns up to 3 quotes in under a minute.

How long do I have to wait to get divorced in Australia?

You must be separated for at least 12 months before applying for divorce in Australia. The 12-month period starts from the date you and your spouse decided to separate, even if you continue living in the same house ("separated under one roof"). After 12 months, you can apply via the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Once granted, the divorce becomes final 1 month and 1 day later. The total timeline from separation to divorce: minimum 13 months.

How much does a divorce cost in Australia?

The court filing fee for divorce in 2026 is $1,060 (or $355 reduced fee if eligible for hardship). Legal fees are separate. A simple uncontested divorce with a lawyer: $1,000-$3,000. The expensive part is usually property settlement and parenting matters, not the divorce itself. Property settlement: $5,000 (mediated) to $80,000+ (contested). Parenting disputes that go to trial: $50,000-$200,000+. Most lawyers offer a free or low-cost initial consultation to give realistic cost estimates.

Will I have to go to court?

Most family law matters in Australia settle without going to court. The legal system actively encourages mediation, family dispute resolution, and negotiation. Even when court applications are filed, the majority settle before trial through court-supervised mediation. Going to a final hearing is uncommon and expensive. A good family lawyer aims for negotiated settlement, with court as a last resort. If you can co-operate with your ex, look for collaborative lawyers or mediation specialists.

Can my de facto partner claim half my house?

In Australia, de facto couples have substantially the same property rights as married couples after 2+ years of cohabitation, or if there's a child of the relationship, or if there's been a significant contribution. The Family Law Act 1975 was extended in 2009 to cover de facto couples. The same 4-step property settlement process applies. Time limits are stricter for de facto couples — claims must generally be filed within 2 years of separation (versus 12 months from divorce for married couples).

How is custody decided in Australia?

Australia doesn't use the term "custody" — the law uses "parenting orders" and "parental responsibility". The starting point under the Family Law Act is "equal shared parental responsibility" (joint decision-making) and the court considers whether equal time or substantial and significant time is in the child's best interests. The "best interests of the child" considers safety, the child's views (depending on age), the relationship with each parent, and practical considerations (school, work). Most matters resolve via parenting plans or consent orders without court involvement.

Other family lawyer city rankings

Independent family lawyer rankings, by Australian city.

Best family lawyers in Melbourne

VIC

Best family lawyers in Sydney

NSW

Best family lawyers in Brisbane

QLD

Best family lawyers in Perth

Best family lawyers in Hobart

TAS

Best family lawyers in Canberra

ACT

Best family lawyers in Darwin

Best family lawyers in Gold Coast

QLD

Best family lawyers in Newcastle

NSW

Best family lawyers in Wollongong

NSW

Best family lawyers in Geelong

VIC

All city rankings → · Guides → · How we rank →