Database · Perth

Best Family Lawyer in Perth, 2026

10 family law firms in Perth, 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 Perth, Fremantle, Subiaco, Cottesloe, Joondalup and Rockingham.

10 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 Perth?

Our top-ranked family lawyer in Perth for 2026 is Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers — Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers (Perth CBD, Perth) operates with WA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law. Runners-up: Lavan and O'Sullivan Davies. All 10 providers in this guide serve Perth and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 10 providers profiled in Perth, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

★Key takeaways

✓10 listed providers operate in Perth, WA (of 117 nationally).
✓Coverage focus: Perth, Fremantle, Subiaco, Cottesloe, Joondalup.
✓Our #1 pick for Perth: Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers — best for parents working out custody, contact and child support.
✓Typical family lawyers pricing in Perth: $1,000 to $5,000.
✓Independent comparison, no paid placements. Last reviewed 11 June 2026.

10 Verified Family Lawyers in Perth, Ranked

Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers

WA Accredited Specialist Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers (Perth CBD, Perth) operates with WA 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, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Legal Practice Director and two Partners are accredited Specialists by the Law Society of Western Australia; ranked Second Tier in Doyle's Guide 2025.

Firm website → (08) 9221 5775

Note: Confirmed via firm homepage stating 'Our Legal Practice Director and two Partners have received accreditation as Specialists from the Law Society of Western Australia', address Level 22 Tower 3, 1 Spring Street Perth, phone 08 9221 5775; Doyle's Guide 2025 lists the firm Second Tier.

Lavan

WA Accredited Specialist Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

Lavan, a firm with WA Law Society Accredited Specialist in family law, is based in Perth 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, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Partner Jorja Brady is an Accredited Family Law Specialist ranked Preeminent among WA family lawyers in Doyle's Guide 2025; the team has been Doyle's-recognised since 2015.

Firm website → (08) 9288 6000

Note: Confirmed via Lavan's family law services page (confirming Doyle's recognition since 2015 and full family law services) and Doyle's Guide 2025 which ranks Jorja Brady Preeminent; firm office Level 20, 1 William Street Perth, phone +61 8 9288 6000.

O'Sullivan Davies

Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

O'Sullivan Davies runs a family law practice in Perth CBD. Listed in Doyle's Guide for family law.

Accredited Specialists

Not declared

Founded

Not stated

Status

Listed practising firm

Specialises in: Divorce & separation, Property settlement, Parenting/child custody, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Ranked First Tier family & divorce law firm in Western Australia by Doyle's Guide 2025 (one of only two First Tier firms in WA).

Firm website → (08) 9426 4711

Note: Confirmed via Doyle's Guide 2025 WA family law firm rankings (First Tier) and the firm's own homepage, which states address Level 21, 197 St Georges Terrace Perth, phone +61 8 9426 4711, and full family law service list.

FMD Legal

Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

FMD Legal is a Perth CBD 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 & separation, Property settlement, Parenting/child custody, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Ranked First Tier family & divorce law firm in WA by Doyle's Guide 2025; principal Sam Fahey is a Preeminent-ranked Accredited Family Law Specialist.

Firm website → (08) 6117 0460

Note: Confirmed via Doyle's Guide 2025 WA rankings (firm First Tier; Sam Fahey Preeminent), and firm site fmdlegal.com.au listing Level 16, 251 Adelaide Terrace Perth, phone (08) 6117 0460, and Sam Fahey as an Accredited Family Law Specialist since 2013.

Carr & Co

Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

Carr & Co (Perth CBD, Perth) operates 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 relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Ranked Second Tier family & divorce law firm in WA by Doyle's Guide 2025; previously a First Tier firm from 2017-2022.

Firm website → (08) 9322 8000

Note: Confirmed via the firm's own homepage (address Level 8, 28 The Esplanade Perth, phone 08 9322 8000, service list) and Doyle's Guide 2025 which lists Carr & Co as a Second Tier WA family law firm with lawyers Andrea Sassella and Stacey Wellings ranked Leading.

Kerr Fels Divorce & Family Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

Kerr Fels Divorce & Family Lawyers, a family law practice, is based in Perth 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, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Four lawyers are Accredited Family Law Specialists formally recognised by the Law Society of WA; firm ranked Second Tier in Doyle's Guide 2025.

Firm website → (08) 6381 9080

Note: Confirmed via firm homepage stating directors Denby Kerr and Amy Fels plus two senior associates are 'Accredited Family Law Specialists, formally recognised by the Law Society of Western Australia', address Level 4, 167 St Georges Terrace Perth, phone (08) 6381 9080; Doyle's Guide 2025 lists the firm Second Tier.

Kim Wilson & Co Family Lawyers

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Subiaco

Kim Wilson & Co Family Lawyers runs a family law practice in Subiaco. 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 relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Holds six Accredited Family Law Specialists plus three Nationally Accredited Mediators and an Arbitrator - one of the deepest specialist benches in Perth.

Firm website → (08) 6380 3900

Note: Confirmed via firm site stating '6 Accredited Family Law Specialists; 3 Nationally Accredited Mediators and an Arbitrator', entity KWC Legal Pty Ltd t/a Kim Wilson & Co at Level 1, 415 Roberts Road Subiaco, phone (08) 6380 3900; Doyle's Guide 2025 lists the firm Third Tier and lawyers Paula Wilkinson and William Sloan as Recommended.

Leach Legal

Doyle's Guide listed Perth CBD

Leach Legal is a Perth CBD 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 & separation, Property settlement, Parenting/child custody, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Ranked Third Tier family & divorce law firm in WA by Doyle's Guide 2025, with lawyers Catherine Leach and Chantelle McGarvie ranked Recommended.

Firm website → (08) 9486 9733

Note: Confirmed via the firm's homepage (address Level 7, 150 St Georges Terrace Perth, phone (08) 9486 9733, full family law service list) and Doyle's Guide 2025 which lists Leach Legal as a Third Tier WA family law firm.

Richardson Legal

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation West Perth

Richardson Legal (West Perth, Perth) 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 & separation, Property settlement, Parenting/child custody, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Principal Linda Richardson is ranked Preeminent among WA family & divorce lawyers in Doyle's Guide 2025; the firm is ranked Second Tier.

Firm website → (08) 6375 1355

Note: Confirmed via firm contact page (Richardson Legal Pty Ltd, 2 Colin Grove West Perth WA 6005, phone (08) 6375 1355, services including mediation and FDR) and Doyle's Guide 2025 which ranks the firm Second Tier and Linda Richardson Preeminent.

DS Family Law

Doyle's Guide listed Mediation Perth CBD

DS Family Law, a family law practice, is based in Perth 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, De facto relationships, BFAs/prenups.

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

Two lawyers (Milos Supljeglav and Caley Kim) are Accredited Family Law Specialists; the firm is a Law Society of WA Quality Assured Practice and a long-recognised Doyle's Guide WA firm.

Firm website → (08) 9486 1766

Note: Confirmed via firm homepage naming two Accredited Family Law Specialists and Quality Assured Practice status, and via search confirming the Perth CBD office at Level 4, Mint House, 326 Hay Street Perth, phone (08) 9486 1766.

Family Lawyer in Perth, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅	Price range ⇅	Service coverage ⇅	Best for ⇅
Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers	Fixed-fee options available; hourly rates thereafter	Law Society of WA Accredited Specialists	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Lavan	Hourly rates; full-service firm, initial consultation available	Accredited Family Law Specialist (Jorja Brady)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
O'Sullivan Davies	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; initial consultation available	Doyle's Guide First Tier firm (WA 2025)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
FMD Legal	Fixed-fee and hourly options; initial consultation available	Doyle's Guide First Tier firm (WA 2025)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Carr & Co	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; initial consultation available	Doyle's Guide Second Tier firm (WA 2025)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Kerr Fels Divorce & Family Lawyers	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; initial consultation available	4 Accredited Family Law Specialists	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Kim Wilson & Co Family Lawyers	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; confidential initial consultation	6 Accredited Family Law Specialists	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
Leach Legal	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; initial consultation available	Doyle's Guide Third Tier firm (WA 2025)	Parents working out custody, contact and child support
Richardson Legal	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; initial consultation available	Doyle's Guide Second Tier firm (WA 2025)	Parents wanting child-focused mediation before going to court
DS Family Law	Fixed-fee options and hourly rates; initial consultation available	2 Accredited Family Law Specialists	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 Perth

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 Perth

Who is the best family lawyer in Perth?

Our 2026 ranking puts Klimek & Wijay Family Lawyers first for Perth, 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 Perth?

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

Most family lawyers in Perth 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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