Five Fantastic Best Family and Divorce Lawyers in Hobart, Tasmania
Choosing the right family and divorce lawyer in Hobart can make a difficult time simpler. Below are five fantastic firms consistently trusted for divorce, parenting, and property settlements in Tasmania, plus two special mentions. This page includes brief overviews, a real client comment for each featured firm, and source notes at the end.
Shortlist navigation: Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers | Tierney Law | Ogilvie Jennings | PWB Lawyers | Wallace Wilkinson and Webster | Special mentions | FAQs | Endnotes
1. Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers — Family and Divorce
Firm snapshot: statewide Tasmanian firm with a dedicated family law team handling separation and divorce applications, parenting arrangements, property and superannuation splits, and financial agreements. The team prioritises practical advice and negotiated outcomes before litigation.
Fantastic lawyer: Kristi Foale, Director and head of family law. Supported by Katryna Induni, LIV Accredited Family Law Specialist.
- Key services: divorce applications, parenting and child custody, property settlement, binding financial agreements, mediation
- Locations served: Hobart, Kingston, Launceston and statewide
- Website: Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers
“Thank you so much for all your assistance… sincere and realistic advice.”
Client comment (see endnote)
2. Tierney Law — Family and Divorce
Firm snapshot: long-established Tasmanian practice offering full-service family law with clear, practical guidance across parenting disputes, property and spousal maintenance, and financial agreements. Multiple offices assist clients across Greater Hobart and southern Tasmania.
Fantastic lawyer: Jessica Reardon, Director and leader of the family law practice.
- Key services: divorce and separation, parenting and custody, property settlement, spousal maintenance, financial agreements
- Locations served: Hobart CBD, Huonville, Sorell, New Norfolk
- Website: Tierney Law
“Tim stopped whatever he was doing to help me… didn’t charge… greatly appreciated.”
Client comment (see endnote)
3. Ogilvie Jennings — Family and Divorce
Firm snapshot: full-service Tasmanian firm with a recognised family law team assisting with parenting, property division, domestic violence orders and negotiation-focused resolution. The team includes lawyers noted in independent rankings.
Fantastic lawyer: Sarah Dowd, recognised as a Family Law Rising Star in recent peer-voted listings.
- Key services: divorce and separation, parenting and child custody, property and financial settlements, mediation, family violence matters
- Locations served: Hobart, Kingston, Moonah
- Website: Ogilvie Jennings
“Professional, honest and fair with his advice. I strongly recommend.”
Client comment (see endnote)
4. PWB Lawyers — Family and Divorce
Firm snapshot: specialist family law practice known for focused, practical representation across parenting, child protection, property, and agreements. Clear resources for Tasmanian families and a compact, experienced team.
Fantastic lawyer: Emma Daniels, Senior Family Lawyer, frequently recognised in local rankings, with published client feedback.
- Key services: divorce, parenting and children’s issues, property settlement, financial agreements, child protection, mediation
- Locations served: Hobart and surrounding suburbs
- Website: PWB Lawyers
“Thank you for 3 years of professional support, good advice and direction.”
Client comment (see endnote)
5. Wallace Wilkinson and Webster — Family and Relationships
Firm snapshot: long-standing Hobart practice offering a full family and relationships service including parenting matters, matrimonial and de facto property, financial agreements, and dispute resolution. Lawyers at this firm are frequently recognised in peer rankings.
Fantastic lawyer: Frances Di Giovanni, frequently listed among Tasmania’s leading family and divorce lawyers.
- Key services: parenting and children’s issues, property settlement, financial agreements, domestic violence matters, mediation
- Locations served: Hobart and statewide
- Website: Wallace Wilkinson and Webster
“Competent, professional, honest… best interests in mind. Exceptional service.”
Client comment (see endnote)
Special mentions
- Butler McIntyre and Butler — family and relationship law team handling parenting, property, child support and agreements
- Jacobs Family Law — boutique Hobart family firm focused on parenting, child support, divorce and property settlement
FAQs
How do I choose a family lawyer in Hobart? Look for recognised family specialists, clear fee information, and an approach that prioritises negotiated outcomes before going to court. Initial consultations help confirm fit.
How long before I can apply for divorce in Australia? You must be separated for at least 12 months before filing a divorce application in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. See endnotes.
Can we be “separated under one roof”? Yes. You can be separated while living in the same home. Extra evidence is required with the application. See endnotes.
What court hears family matters in Hobart? The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deals with divorce, parenting and property matters. Tasmanian state courts deal with family violence orders.
Do I need to prove fault for divorce? No. Australia has no-fault divorce. The court only needs to be satisfied the marriage has irretrievably broken down after 12 months’ separation.
How is child support calculated? Services Australia uses a legislative formula considering both parents’ incomes and care percentages. See endnotes for the formula overview.
Are prenups and financial agreements valid? Binding Financial Agreements can be made before, during or after a relationship. Independent legal advice for each party is required for validity.
Are de facto couples covered by family law? Yes. De facto couples generally fall under the federal family law regime for property and maintenance. Time limits apply after separation.
Is mediation required? In parenting disputes, parties usually need a Family Dispute Resolution certificate before starting court proceedings, unless an exemption applies.
What common services will my lawyer handle? Divorce applications, drafting parenting plans and consent orders, negotiating property splits, formalising financial agreements, and representing you in mediation or court.
Endnotes
[1] Simmons Wolfhagen family law overview: simwolf.com.au/service/family-law. Team leadership and specialist profiles: Kristi Foale profile; Katryna Induni profile. Client comment sourced from firm team page: Sam McCullough testimonials.
[2] Tierney Law family practice: tlaw.com.au/practice_areas/family. Practice lead profile: Jessica Reardon. Client comment quoted from: JudgeYourLawyer – Tierney Law.
[3] Ogilvie Jennings firm and family law practice: ogilviejennings.com.au. Lawyer profile: Sarah Dowd. Client comment quoted from: Birdeye reviews – Ogilvie Jennings Kingston.
[4] PWB Lawyers family law site: pwb.com.au. Child protection resource: pwb.com.au/family-law/child-protection. Client comment quoted from: Emma Daniels profile – testimonials.
[5] Wallace Wilkinson and Webster services: wwwlawyers.com.au. Peer recognition for firm lawyers including Frances Di Giovanni and colleagues: Doyles Guide 2025 – Family and Divorce Lawyers Tasmania. Client comment quoted from: JudgeYourLawyer – WWW.
[6] Special mentions: Butler McIntyre and Butler family and relationship law page: bmbtas.com/areas-of-law/family-relationship-law. Jacobs Family Law overview: jacobsfamilylaw.com.au.
[7] Divorce process and separation requirement: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – applying for divorce; living under one roof guidance: FCFCOA – separated under one roof.
[8] Child support formula and options: Services Australia – basic child support formula; Services Australia – learning about child support; policy overview: Department of Social Services – child support.
