Top10Family Lawyers

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Best Family Lawyers in Adelaide

Ten Adelaide family law firms, compared for divorce, property settlements and parenting matters.

For each firm you'll see who would handle your matter, the kind of work it suits, how it charges where that's published, and which of its lawyers are accredited family law specialists on the Law Society of South Australia list.

42 Adelaide firms checked, 10 shortlisted. 10 accredited family law specialists confirmed on the Law Society of SA specialist list. No firm pays to be listed. Updated October 2026.

Find a firm for your situation
Property with a business, trust or super fund
Howe Jenkin, David Burrell & Co, Tolis & Co Lawyers, Andersons Solicitors, BBS Lawyers
Overseas assets or children overseas
Tolis & Co Lawyers, David Burrell & Co
A free or fixed-fee first meeting, or help funding fees
Tolis & Co Lawyers, Kin Lawyers, Resolve Divorce, Swan Family Lawyers, Andersons Solicitors
Outside the CBD: North Adelaide, Walkerville, Mile End or Glenelg
Resolve Divorce, Divorce Legal, David Burrell & Co, Tolis & Co Lawyers, Kin Lawyers
A lawyer who speaks another language
Tolis & Co Lawyers, Clark Panagakos Family Law
Surrogacy, donors or same-sex parents
Resolve Divorce, David Burrell & Co

Grouped by what each firm publishes about its work. Most firms handle all common family law matters.

1. Resolve Divorce

North AdelaideFamily law only

4.6

47 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Separations where you want a larger family law team with a collaborative option

  • Rose Cocchiaro and Chanel Martin are both collaborative practitioners and certified divorce coaches.
  • Chanel Martin was previously a judge's associate in the then Family Court of Australia.
  • Free 15-minute discovery call, and JustFund funding for eligible clients.

Accredited family law specialists (3) Rose Cocchiaro, Chanel Martin, Vanessa Camerlengo

(08) 7228 6110 Visit website
Fees
Free 15-minute discovery call with an Adelaide lawyer. Legal funding through JustFund for eligible clients.
Office
82-84 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Resolve Divorce works only in family law from an office in Melbourne Street, North Adelaide. Its services cover divorce, property settlements, parenting agreements, child support, spousal maintenance, prenups and financial agreements, and donor and surrogacy matters.

Chanel Martin is a nationally accredited mediator, holds a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) and was previously a judge's associate in the then Family Court of Australia. Her profile names collaborative practice as her preferred form of dispute resolution, with litigation where it is strategically needed.

Also worth knowing

  • The team page names 16 lawyers, from associate solicitors to the managing director.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of SA specialist list on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Rose Cocchiaro, Founder & Executive DirectorAccredited family law specialist
  • Chanel Martin, Managing DirectorAccredited family law specialist
  • Vanessa Camerlengo, Legal Team Manager and Senior SolicitorAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • Surrogacy

Office

82-84 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006

Sources

Back to the shortlist

2. David Burrell & Co

WalkervilleFamily law only

3.0

8 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property settlements involving companies, trusts and valuation disputes, and children's matters such as relocation

  • Takes select children's cases involving interstate or international relocation, same-sex parents, gender reassignment or special needs.
  • Samuel Burrell was admitted in 1998 and practised family law in Melbourne until 2006 before joining the firm.
  • Practises only in family law, from Walkerville, about 10 minutes' drive from the Adelaide CBD. David Burrell started the firm in 1974.

Accredited family law specialists (2) Samuel Burrell, Alicia Furman

(08) 8269 7722 Visit website
Fees
The initial appointment covers your situation, your desired outcome, your options and preliminary advice. Fees are charged for time and tasks.
Office
111 Walkerville Terrace, Walkerville SA 5081
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

David Burrell & Co is a small private-client firm that practises only in family law. The site names four lawyers: principals Samuel Burrell and Alicia Furman, senior lawyer Lara Di Fabio (Master's degree in family law) and Daniella Cutufia, a former associate at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The firm's main focus is the financial side of divorce and de facto separations: property settlement, spousal maintenance and child support. Its FAQ states that more than half of family law matters resolve by negotiation, and that it assesses early whether negotiation, mediation, conciliation or court is the most cost-effective path. It does not usually give second opinions where you already have a lawyer.

Established 1974.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of SA specialist list on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Samuel Burrell, PrincipalAccredited family law specialist
  • Alicia Furman, PrincipalAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships

Office

111 Walkerville Terrace, Walkerville SA 5081

Sources

Back to the shortlist

3. Howe Jenkin

Adelaide CBDFamily law only

4.7

26 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property settlements involving companies, businesses and trusts, and financial agreements

  • Greg Howe has over 47 years' experience and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.
  • David Jenkin is a nationally accredited mediator and states he has conducted over 500 mediations.
  • Private property mediation fees are published on the site.
(08) 8232 8422 Visit website
Fees
Initial appointments are usually booked for 1 to 1.5 hours and are charged on time. No free first interview and no legal aid work. A costs agreement is signed before the firm acts.
Office
Level 9, 111 Gawler Place, Adelaide SA 5000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Howe Jenkin describes itself as a small family law practice in the Adelaide CBD. Its first step is to try to resolve matters without court proceedings, and it acts in court where a dispute cannot be settled. Fees are charged on a time basis by lawyer seniority, with no charge for standard photocopying, printing or postage.

David Jenkin offers private mediation, mainly in property matters, and can conduct the mediation needed for a genuine steps certificate in financial cases. He is not a registered family dispute resolution practitioner, so he cannot issue section 60I certificates for parenting matters. Jane Kellett has a particular interest in parenting matters.

Established 2014.

Also worth knowing

  • Four directors are named: Greg Howe, David Jenkin, Jane Kellett and Tim Peters.

Lawyers

  • Greg Howe, Director
  • David Jenkin, Director
  • Jane Kellett, Director

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation

Office

Level 9, 111 Gawler Place, Adelaide SA 5000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

4. BBS Lawyers

Adelaide CBDFamily law only

2.3

9 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property and parenting disputes where you want mediation explored first, including property involving companies and trusts

  • Andrew Barnes has practised only in family law since the mid 1980s and conducts family law property mediations.
  • Founded in 2009 by Andrew Barnes and Della Brinsley, who both practised in the family law division of Wallmans Lawyers.
  • All lawyers are members of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.
(08) 8110 2301 Visit website
Fees
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate.
Office
Level 4/420 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

BBS Lawyers is a family law firm in the Adelaide CBD. Principal Danielle De Pizzol was admitted in 2007 and has focused on family law since 2010, including parenting matters involving mental health, drug and alcohol, and domestic violence issues.

The firm states that some of its practitioners can act as mediator, and all of its lawyers advise clients through mediation. If agreement is not reached, it acts in court proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

Established 2009.

Also worth knowing

  • Eight lawyers are named: a principal, three consultants, a senior associate and three associates.

Lawyers

  • Danielle De Pizzol, Principal
  • Andrew Barnes, Consultant
  • Della Brinsley, Consultant

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation

Office

Level 4/420 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

5. Swan Family Lawyers

Adelaide CBDFamily law only

4.9

105 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Separating couples who want to try mediation or collaborative practice before court

  • Christopher Swan is a nationally accredited mediator and an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner who can issue section 60I certificates.
  • He sits on the South Australian Magistrates Court panel of mediators.
  • Mediation and family dispute resolution can be run online through Teams, Zoom, Skype or by phone.

Accredited family law specialists (1) Christopher Swan

(08) 8227 1970 Visit website
Fees
Free initial phone chat on 8227 1970.
Office
21 Roper Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Swan Family Lawyers is a CBD practice that also prepares wills and handles estates. Christopher Swan has been a lawyer since 1982, holds a Masters in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management focused on family law, and sits on the South Australian Magistrates Court panel of mediators.

The firm is a collaborative practice and states it negotiates and mediates where possible, and goes to court where it must. The team page names Christopher Swan, managing solicitor Caitlin Swan and several other family lawyers.

Established 1996.

Also worth knowing

  • The firm offers a free phone chat when you call.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of SA specialist list on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Christopher Swan, PrincipalAccredited family law specialist
  • Caitlin Swan, Managing Solicitor

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law

Office

21 Roper Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

6. Clark Panagakos Family Law

Adelaide CBDFamily law only

4.9

120 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Couples open to collaborative practice or mediation, with court representation if it is needed

  • Director Bev Clark was one of the first two lawyers in SA trained in collaborative law and is a founding member of the Adelaide Collaborative Practice Group.
  • Both directors are nationally accredited mediators and trained in collaborative practice.
  • Director Erica Panagakos is fluent in Italian.
(08) 8151 3919 Visit website
Fees
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate.
Office
174 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Clark Panagakos Family Law works only in family law from Wright Street in the CBD. Bev Clark was admitted in 1987 and was a founding member of Belperio Clark from 1992 to 2022. Erica Panagakos was admitted in 2011 and has practised only in family law since 2014.

The firm sets out its process options from least to most costly: negotiation, mediation, collaborative practice, lawyer-led negotiation, then court. Its lawyers can act as mediator, or represent you in a mediation run elsewhere. Appointments can be booked online.

Established 2022.

Also worth knowing

  • Five lawyers are named: two directors, a senior associate, an associate and a solicitor.

Lawyers

  • Bev Clark, Director
  • Erica Panagakos, Director

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law

Office

174 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Other details

Languages
Italian

Sources

Back to the shortlist

7. Tolis & Co Lawyers

Mile EndFamily law team in a broader firm

4.4

25 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property settlements involving trusts, corporate structures, SMSFs or international assets, and Greek-speaking clients

  • Dimitra Tolis leads the family team, has practised only in family law since 1998 and speaks fluent Greek.
  • Free 30-minute initial consultation in person or by phone, and JustFund funding for eligible clients.
  • The family team acts in appeals as well as first instance matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

Accredited family law specialists (1) Dimitra Tolis

(08) 8443 4888 Visit website
Fees
Free 30-minute initial consultation, in person or by phone. JustFund funding available for eligible clients.
Office
Ground Floor, 187A Henley Beach Rd, Mile End SA 5031
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Tolis & Co is a Mile End firm that also handles compensation, wills and estates, and property law. The team page names nine lawyers across the firm, and the family law page states the team acts in negotiation, mediation and litigation, including first instance and appeal matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Dimitra Tolis is an accredited mediator and a casual academic at Flinders University, where she has lectured in family law. Her profile lists parenting matters involving family violence alongside complex property work. Home or hospital visits can be arranged for clients who cannot travel.

Established 1999.

Also worth knowing

  • Office is about 5 minutes' drive from the city, with undercover on-site parking.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of SA specialist list on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Dimitra Tolis, Principal Partner & Accredited Family Law SpecialistAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Appeals

Office

Ground Floor, 187A Henley Beach Rd, Mile End SA 5031

Other details

Languages
Greek

Sources

Back to the shortlist

8. Kin Lawyers

Glenelg SouthFamily law only

5.0

14 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Clients in the southern beachside or northern suburbs who want a fixed-fee first conference

  • Free 15-minute phone consultation, then an optional fixed-fee initial conference of $550 including GST for up to 90 minutes.
  • Offices at Glenelg South and Gawler South, with consulting rooms at Hallett Cove and in the Adelaide CBD.
  • Home and business visits can be arranged.

Accredited family law specialists (1) Lauren de Vries van Leeuwen

(08) 7076 9333 Visit website
Fees
Free 15-minute phone consultation with a principal lawyer. Fixed-fee initial conference of $550 including GST, usually about 60 minutes with up to 90 allowed.
Office
72C Broadway, Glenelg South SA
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Kin Lawyers works in family and relationship law, plus family business, wills and estates. Its two directors, Lauren de Vries van Leeuwen and Megan McFarlane, state 25 years of combined experience. Lauren is a collaborative practitioner; Megan's background includes property and commercial work for small and family businesses.

The firm sets out its separation services by stage: future proofing, thinking about separating, recently separated, separated to sorted, and post-separation support. It publishes its fees, offers fixed fees where possible, and gives clear costs advice at the start of a matter.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of SA specialist list on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Lauren de Vries van Leeuwen, Principal Lawyer and DirectorAccredited family law specialist
  • Megan McFarlane, Principal Lawyer and Director

Areas of family law handled

  • Collaborative law

Office

72C Broadway, Glenelg South SA

Other details

Other offices
Gawler (84 Adelaide Road, Gawler South). Consulting rooms at Hallett Cove and at the Law Society of South Australia, Adelaide CBD.

Sources

Back to the shortlist

10. Andersons Solicitors

Adelaide CBDFamily law team in a broader firm

4.7

175 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Clients who want a set-fee planning session and a larger team with offices across metropolitan Adelaide

  • Offers a 90-minute Family Road Map session for a set fee, covering next steps, likely costs and timeframes.
  • Partner Ryan Thomas advises on property involving businesses, trusts and self-managed super funds.
  • Offices at Morphett Vale, Murray Bridge, Nuriootpa, Port Adelaide and Woodville as well as the CBD.

Accredited family law specialists (1) Ryan Thomas

(08) 8238 6666 Visit website
Fees
Family Road Map: a 90-minute one-on-one session with a family lawyer for a set fee, including a plan and likely costs and timeframes.
Office
69 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Andersons is a full-service South Australian firm with its head office in Franklin Street in the CBD. Its family law team covers separation and divorce, property settlements, parenting arrangements, court representation, child support, and mediation and family dispute resolution.

Ryan Thomas joined Andersons in 2010 and became a partner in 2012. He holds a Master of Laws (Applied Law) in family law and an MBA, and sits on the Law Society of South Australia Family Law Committee. His profile states he works to resolve matters through negotiation and mediation where possible.

Also worth knowing

  • The family law page names nine team members, including two partners.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of SA specialist list on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Ryan Thomas, PartnerAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • Mediation

Office

69 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000

Other details

Other offices
Morphett Vale, Murray Bridge, Nuriootpa, Port Adelaide and Woodville.

Sources

Back to the shortlist

Details come from each firm's website and the Law Society of SA specialist list, checked October 2026. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't affect the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

How we selected these Adelaide firms

We recorded 42 family law firms with offices in Adelaide CBD, North Adelaide and greater Adelaide, including Glenelg, Mitcham and the inner eastern and western suburbs, then read each firm's own website: team, services, contact and fees pages. 10 made the shortlist. We favoured firms where family law is the main practice, with named family lawyers in the Adelaide office, accredited specialists we could confirm on the Law Society of SA specialist list, and clear published information about how they work.

Firms were left out for reasons such as:

  • General practices where family law is a minor part of the work
  • Firms based outside greater Adelaide (Mount Gambier, Gawler and Barossa only)
  • A mediation-only practice that takes solicitor referrals rather than acting for clients
  • Firm websites that did not load or had no content when checked
  • Sole practitioners on the specialist list with no firm website found

How the order was set

The numbers are an editorial order, not a score. We weighed the same criteria together: firms come earlier where family law is the firm's whole practice, where more of the Adelaide team are accredited specialists we could confirm on the Law Society of SA specialist list, and where the firm publishes clear information about who you would deal with and how it charges. We also kept variety on the list, so firms with a particular focus or location, such as collaborative practice, Greek-speaking clients, Walkerville or Glenelg, are included even with smaller teams.

Firms close to each other in the order aren't meaningfully different, and a lower number doesn't mean a firm is a worse choice for your matter. The right firm depends on the kind of matter you have. Google ratings don't affect the order, and no firm has paid to be listed or placed. Read the full method.

Family law in Adelaide: courts and free help

Family law cases in Adelaide are filed with the Adelaide registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, in the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 3 Angas Street in the CBD. The Legal Services Commission runs the Family Advocacy and Support Service at the same building, with duty lawyers and social support workers available each court day.

Free help is available through the Legal Services Commission Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424, which gives advice on family law and child support. The Commission also runs Family Law Conferencing, a family dispute resolution process where parties can attend with their lawyers. Relationships Australia South Australia operates a Family Relationship Centre at 161 Frome Street, Adelaide.

Most of the firms listed here are in the CBD, around King William Street, Gawler Place and Wright Street, with others in North Adelaide, Walkerville, Mile End and Glenelg South. The Law Society of South Australia publishes a list of accredited family law specialists, and seven of the listed firms have at least one lawyer on it.

Where matters are heard

Law Society of South Australia referral service

The Law Society of South Australia runs a referral service that matches members of the public with lawyers by area of law (including family law), location and language. It also runs an after-hours advisory service at 178 North Terrace with 20-minute appointments on Monday evenings, booked on (08) 8229 0200. Source

Legal Aid, mediation and community legal centres

  • Legal Services Commission of South Australia, Adelaide Office

    159 Gawler Place, Adelaide SA 5000

    Free Legal Helpline 1300 366 424 gives advice on family law and child support. Switchboard (08) 8111 5555. Offices also at Elizabeth and Noarlunga.

  • Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS)

    Level 1, 3 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000

    Duty lawyers and social support workers at the family law court each day for people with family law matters, with a focus on those affected by family violence. No appointment needed. Phone (08) 8111 5300.

  • Legal Services Commission Family Dispute Resolution Unit

    Family Law Conferencing for parenting and property disputes, chaired by an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner. Parties can attend with their lawyers.

  • Relationships Australia South Australia, Family Relationship Centre

    161 Frome Street, Adelaide SA 5000

    Family dispute resolution, family law counselling, a children's contact service and support for children after separation. Phone (08) 8419 2000.

  • Women's Legal Service (SA)

    Level 7, 45 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000

    Free legal help for women in South Australia. Its Family Law & Family Violence Program assists women leaving family violence. Phone (08) 8231 8929, free call 1800 655 037.

  • Northern Community Legal Service

    60-62 John Street, Salisbury SA 5108

    Free legal advice and assistance for Adelaide's northern suburbs, including family law property and parenting. Phone (08) 8281 6911.

Checking a lawyer before you engage them

Every solicitor practising in South Australia needs a current practising certificate. You can search the Register of Practising Certificates (Law Society of South Australia, kept under section 20 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1981), which also shows who holds family law specialist accreditation.

Family lawyers in Adelaide: common questions

Where are family law cases heard in Adelaide?

Family law matters in Adelaide go through the Adelaide registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, at the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 3 Angas Street, Adelaide. The National Enquiry Centre is on 1300 352 000.

Is there free family law help in Adelaide?

Yes. The Legal Services Commission of South Australia gives free advice on family law and child support through its Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424. Its Family Advocacy and Support Service at 3 Angas Street has duty lawyers and social support workers at the court each day. Women's Legal Service (SA) and Northern Community Legal Service also give free family law help to eligible people.

Do I have to try family dispute resolution before going to court about children?

In most cases, yes. The Legal Services Commission states that in most cases a person must attend family dispute resolution before applying to the court for a parenting order. In Adelaide this is available through the Legal Services Commission's Family Law Conferencing and the Relationships Australia SA Family Relationship Centre at 161 Frome Street.

How do I check that a lawyer can practise in South Australia?

The Law Society of South Australia keeps a public Register of Practising Certificates, updated daily, listing every lawyer who holds a South Australian practising certificate. You can search it by surname on the Law Society website.

What is an accredited family law specialist in South Australia?

It is a lawyer recognised through a specialist accreditation program as having expertise in family law. The Law Society of South Australia publishes a list of Accredited Specialists that includes family law, and specialists apply for re-accreditation every three years.

General information only, not legal advice.

Family lawyers in other cities: SydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerthGold CoastCanberraNewcastleSunshine CoastCentral CoastHobartDarwin

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