Legal help for family law disputes

What we help with

We can help with most family law disputes. This includes emergencies.  

We can give you limited one-off advice about:

  • family law parenting proceedings
  • your specific parenting case
  • family law property proceedings (limited advice)
  • what you need to know and do if you want to present your case to court yourself.

We can also help you commence urgent proceedings in emergencies.

What we do not help with

We don’t help with:

  • property recoveries
  • child support.

We may be able to refer you to services that assist with these.


Contact us

Visit our duty lawyer at court

You can get help from our lawyers on duty at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). It is free to talk to a duty lawyer, and you do not need an appointment to talk to a duty lawyer.  

Find out when our lawyers are at the FCFCOA.

If you cannot visit the FCFCOA, please call or email us (see details below).

Call or email us

Phone: 1300 654 314  

  • Monday to Thursdays 8.30am to 7pm
  • Fridays 8.30am to 5pm

Email: fass@legalaidact.org.au   


I need ongoing help

If you have a complex legal issue or need ongoing representation, you may be eligible for further assistance. The duty lawyer can advise if you need to apply for a grant of legal aid.  


Resources

Factsheets

Other resources

  • The FCFCOA website has information on different family law topics, information on attending court and a library of resources.  
  • The Family Law Pathways Network has created a directory of legal and non-legal services for people who are interacting with the family law system: Family Law Pathways Network services directory

For practitioners and service professionals

Legal Aid ACT is the auspice agency for the Family Law Pathways Network (FLPN) ACT & Region. 

This is a national network funded by the Attorney General’s Department to support professionals working with families navigating their separation journey.

If you are a private practitioner or other professional that works in the family law space (e.g. counsellor, multicultural organisation, mediator), find out how you can be part of the Family Law Pathways Network