Database · Hobart

Best Family Lawyer in Hobart, 2026

8 family law firms in Hobart, 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 Hobart, Sandy Bay, Glenorchy, New Town, Moonah and Bellerive.

8 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 Hobart?

Our top-ranked family lawyer in Hobart for 2026 is Wallace Wilkinson & Webster — Wallace Wilkinson & Webster (Hobart, Hobart) operates with family law practice. Runners-up: PWB Lawyers and Dobson Mitchell Allport. All 8 providers in this guide serve Hobart and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 8 providers profiled in Hobart, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

★Key takeaways

✓8 listed providers operate in Hobart, TAS (of 117 nationally).
✓Coverage focus: Hobart, Sandy Bay, Glenorchy, New Town, Moonah.
✓Our #1 pick for Hobart: Wallace Wilkinson & Webster — best for parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court.
✓Typical family lawyers pricing in Hobart: $1,000 to $5,000.
✓Independent comparison, no paid placements. Last reviewed 11 June 2026.

8 Verified Family Lawyers in Hobart, Ranked

Wallace Wilkinson & Webster

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Hobart

Wallace Wilkinson & Webster (Hobart, Hobart) 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, De facto, Child support.

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

Frances Di Giovanni was named the 2025 Doyle's Guide Market Leader for Family & Divorce Law in Tasmania, with Kate Behrens and Sally Rofe also ranked.

Firm website → (03) 6234 8022

Note: Confirmed via Doyle's Guide Tasmania 2024 and 2025 family law rankings, the firm's live website (wwwlawyers.com.au), and the Tas Family Law Pathways Network service directory listing.

PWB Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Hobart

PWB Lawyers, a family law practice, is based in Hobart. 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, De facto, BFA / prenup.

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

Ros Courtney and Emma Daniels are both listed in the Doyle's Guide Tasmania family and divorce law rankings.

Firm website → (03) 6235 1111

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live family law page (pwb.com.au/family-law) listing services and ADR, and the Doyle's Guide 2024/2025 Tasmania rankings.

Dobson Mitchell Allport

Doyle's Guide listed Hobart

Dobson Mitchell Allport runs a family law practice in Hobart. 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, De facto, BFA / prenup.

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

David Harper is ranked in Doyle's Guide for Tasmania family and divorce law (Leading, 2025), with Amelia Higgs also listed.

Firm website → (03) 6210 0000

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live family law page (doma.com.au/expertise/family-and-relationships) listing detailed services, and Doyle's Guide 2024/2025 Tasmania rankings.

Butler McIntyre & Butler

Doyle's Guide listed Hobart

Butler McIntyre & Butler is a Hobart family-law firm with family law practice. 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, De facto, Financial agreements.

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

Partner Anna Grant is ranked Preeminent for Tasmania family and divorce law in Doyle's Guide 2025 and is on the FCFCOA Independent Children's Lawyer Panel.

Firm website → (03) 6222 9444

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live family law page (bmbtas.com), the partner profile, and the Doyle's Guide 2024/2025 Tasmania rankings.

Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Hobart

Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers (Hobart, Hobart) 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, De facto, BFA / prenup.

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

Director Kristi Foale, who has practised exclusively in family law for over 25 years, is listed in Doyle's Guide for Tasmania family and divorce law.

Firm website → (03) 6226 1200

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live family law page (simwolf.com.au/service/family-law) and Doyle's Guide 2024 Tasmania rankings.

Jacobs Family Law

Doyle's Guide listed Hobart

Jacobs Family Law, a family law practice, is based in Hobart. 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.

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

Principal Cassandra Jacobs is ranked in Doyle's Guide for Tasmania family and divorce law (Leading, 2025).

Firm website → (03) 6108 2224

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live website (jacobsfamilylaw.com.au) and the Doyle's Guide 2024/2025 Tasmania rankings.

TFR Lawyers (Tremayne Fay Rheinberger)

Hobart

TFR Lawyers (Tremayne Fay Rheinberger) runs a family law practice in Hobart.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: Divorce, Property settlement, Parenting / child custody, De facto, Family violence orders.

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

Long-standing Hobart practice with named specialist family lawyers (Sarah Tremayne, Renee Jackson) and a member firm of the Law Society of Tasmania.

Firm website → (03) 6224 9888

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live website (tfrlawyers.com.au), the Law Society of Tasmania firms register, and the Tas Family Law Pathways Network directory.

Tierney Law

Hobart

Tierney Law is a Hobart family-law firm with family law practice.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: Divorce, Property settlement, Parenting / child custody, De facto, Family violence orders.

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

Operates a central Hobart CBD office (Level 1, 18 Elizabeth Street) plus Huonville, Sorell and New Norfolk, with a dedicated family law practice.

Firm website → (03) 6220 2777

Note: Confirmed via the firm's live contact page (tlaw.com.au/contact) listing the Hobart office, and the Tas Family Law Pathways Network directory.

Family Lawyer in Hobart, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅	Price range ⇅	Service coverage ⇅	Best for ⇅
Wallace Wilkinson & Webster	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Hobart CBD based (169 Liverpool St)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
PWB Lawyers	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Hobart CBD based (57 Elizabeth St)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Dobson Mitchell Allport	Hourly; fixed-fee for defined scopes	Hobart CBD based (59 Harrington St)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Butler McIntyre & Butler	Hourly; fixed-fee for defined scopes	Hobart CBD based (20 Murray St)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers	Hourly; fixed-fee for defined scopes	Hobart CBD based (99 Bathurst St)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Jacobs Family Law	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Hobart CBD based (7 Campbell St)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
TFR Lawyers (Tremayne Fay Rheinberger)	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Hobart CBD based (119 Macquarie St)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Tierney Law	Fixed-fee options available; hourly thereafter	Hobart CBD based (18 Elizabeth St)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support

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 Hobart

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 Hobart

Who is the best family lawyer in Hobart?

Our 2026 ranking puts Wallace Wilkinson & Webster first for Hobart, best for parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court. 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 Hobart?

Services typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000 in Hobart 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 Hobart?

Most family lawyers in Hobart 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.

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