Five Fantastic Best Family and Divorce Lawyers in Darwin
Choosing the right family and divorce lawyer in Darwin can make a difficult time simpler and fairer. Below are five standout firms that regularly assist with divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, child support and related matters across the Northern Territory. Each listing includes a short overview, key services, coverage, and a brief client opinion. Source-style endnotes appear at the end, including reliable links for every service mentioned.
Ward Keller — Family and Divorce Lawyers
Ward Keller is one of the Territory’s longest established firms with a dedicated family law team that assists with separation, divorce, parenting, financial and consent orders, and related disputes in Darwin and beyond [1]. Registry and contact details for Ward Keller’s Darwin office are publicly listed [3].
Practice areas: divorce, parenting orders, property and financial settlements, binding financial agreements, child support agreements, consent orders.
Locations served: Darwin and the Northern Territory.
“We really loved the service and guidance we got here at Ward Keller, it was just the best.”
Client comment on firm website [2]
AFL Withnalls — Family and Divorce Lawyers
Withnalls Lawyers partners with Australian Family Lawyers in Darwin, offering a full family law service across divorce, parenting, property, and financial matters. The Darwin location page notes local contact details and showcases client feedback [4].
Practice areas: divorce and separation, parenting and children’s issues, property and financial settlements, spousal maintenance, financial agreements, family mediation.
Locations served: Darwin and wider NT.
“Can’t rate these guys highly enough… they got it over the line with great tenacity.”
Client review excerpt [4]
Maley’s Barristers and Solicitors — Family and Divorce Lawyers
Maley’s provides pragmatic advice and representation in divorce, parenting, child support and property disputes, and also assists in domestic violence matters. The firm’s family law page outlines typical matters and approach [5]. Office details are publicly available [6].
Practice areas: divorce and separation, parenting and child custody, child support, property and financial settlements, domestic violence orders, mediation.
Locations served: Darwin and the Northern Territory.
“Would not recommend anyone else for the job.”
Recent client comment [7]
Halfpennys Lawyers — Family and Adoption Related Services
Halfpennys is a long-standing Darwin practice. While the firm is widely known for injury, commercial and wills and estates work, it also assists with adoption law and related planning matters that frequently intersect with family concerns [8][9].
Practice areas relevant to families: adoption law, wills and estates, advance personal planning. For divorce, parenting or property disputes, consider the other listed family law specialists above.
Locations served: Darwin and the Northern Territory.
“Fantastic team, very efficient, great communication and very professional.”
Client review excerpt [10]
Darwin Family Law — Family and Divorce Lawyers
Darwin Family Law focuses on family matters including separation and divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlement and related issues. The firm’s site sets out services and contact details [11].
Practice areas: divorce and separation, parenting and children’s issues, property settlements, child support, domestic violence matters, mediation.
Locations served: Darwin, Palmerston, and across the NT.
“10/10 best family lawyers you can get.”
Client review excerpt [12]
Special mentions
Tindall Gask Bentley — Darwin offers a full family law service including divorce, asset division and parenting matters from its Darwin base [16].
Grays Legal provides family law assistance covering divorce, parenting and family property, with contact details published for its Darwin office [14][15].
FAQs
How long must we be separated before applying for divorce in Australia
A minimum 12 months’ separation is required before applying to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Applications are lodged online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal [17][18].
What is the difference between parenting plans and parenting orders
Parenting plans are written agreements. Parenting orders are court orders that are enforceable, either by consent or after a hearing. Applying to court should be a last resort [19].
How are property settlements decided
The court can make financial or property orders by consent or after a hearing. From 10 June 2025, changes to the Family Law Act affect how settlements are determined, including consideration of the economic effect of family violence where relevant [20][21].
How is child support assessed
Services Australia assesses child support using a legislated formula. Parents can apply online, make private agreements or use agency collection options [22][23].
What are domestic violence orders in the NT
A Domestic Violence Order is a protection order made by the Local Court. Nationally, DVOs are recognised and enforceable across all states and territories [24][25].
Do I have to try mediation before filing a parenting case
Except for limited exemptions, parties are expected to attempt family dispute resolution with an accredited practitioner before filing for parenting orders [26][27].
Where is the family law registry in Darwin
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia sits at the Supreme Court Building, State Square, Darwin. The registry information is published on the Court’s site [28][29].
What is spousal maintenance
Spousal or de facto maintenance is financial support for a former partner who cannot adequately support themselves and where the other has capacity to pay [30].
What will legal costs look like
Parties usually pay their own legal costs, though the Court can make costs orders in some circumstances. The Court publishes a short fact sheet on costs [27].
Can I apply for divorce if I married overseas
Yes, provided you or your spouse satisfy Australia’s connection requirements such as citizenship, residency or domicile, and you meet the separation rule [17].
Is court always necessary for a property settlement
No. Many couples settle by agreement and file consent orders. Court is used when agreement cannot be reached or urgent orders are needed [20].
Sources and endnotes
- Ward Keller — family law overview.
- Ward Keller — client comment on website.
- NT Legal Aid referral list — Ward Keller contact.
- AFL Withnalls — Darwin location, services and client testimonials.
- Withnalls Lawyers — firm site.
- NT Legal Aid referral list — AFL Withnalls contact.
- NT Legal Aid solicitors list.
- Maley’s — family law.
- Maley’s — public reviews and address.
- Client review excerpt for Maley’s.
- Halfpennys — services.
- Halfpennys — contact and address.
- Halfpennys — client review excerpts.
- Darwin Family Law — firm site.
- Darwin Family Law — public review excerpts.
- Duggan Family Lawyers — about.
- Duggan Family Lawyers — contact details.
- Grays Legal — family law page.
- Grays Legal — contact.
- TGB Lawyers — Darwin family law.
- FCFCOA — divorce overview.
- FCFCOA — apply for divorce.
- FCFCOA — applying for parenting orders.
- FCFCOA — financial and property overview.
- Attorney-General — 10 June 2025 property changes.
- Services Australia — learning about child support.
- Services Australia — child support assessment.
- NT Government — domestic violence orders.
- FCFCOA — family violence orders.
- Family Relationships Online — mediation and dispute resolution.
- FCFCOA — legal costs in family law matters.
- FCFCOA — Darwin court location.
- NT Government — divorce and separation, Darwin registry details.
- FCFCOA — spousal maintenance.
