Family Court Lawyers in Adelaide and Regional SA
Going to court over parenting or property can feel daunting, especially when emotions are already running high. Our family court lawyers in Adelaide make the process easier to understand and manage.
We help you prepare, represent you at every hearing and keep working towards a fair agreement along the way. With offices across Adelaide and in Mount Gambier, we support families throughout South Australia.
Before You Go to Court
Court is meant to be a last resort. Before you file, the Court expects you to show you have genuinely tried to resolve things. In most cases, that means:
- Following the pre-action procedures: giving the other party a copy of the Court’s procedures and inviting them to take part in dispute resolution.
- Trying to reach agreement: making a genuine attempt to settle the issues, for example through mediation.
- Exchanging key information: sharing the documents and details both sides need to understand what is in dispute.
- Getting a section 60I certificate: for parenting matters, a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner, unless an exception applies.
We guide you through each of these steps so your application is ready to go and not held up.
Our Family Court Services
If you can’t reach agreement, we prepare and file your application, represent you at hearings and keep you informed at every stage. Our family court lawyers can help with:
- Parenting arrangements: applications for parenting orders about where children live and the time they spend with each parent.
- Property settlement: dividing assets, debts and superannuation when you and your former partner can’t agree.
- Spousal maintenance: applications for financial support after separation.
- Urgent applications: acting quickly when a situation can’t wait for the usual process.
- Family violence and intervention orders: managing your family court matter safely alongside any intervention order.
- Consent orders: formalising an agreement you reach along the way so it is legally binding.
Why Choose Mahony’s as Your Family Court Lawyers
Going to court is stressful, and the right lawyer makes it far easier to manage. We give you a realistic view of your options before you commit to the court process.
- With more than 47 years of experience, we know how family law matters move through the Court and what it expects from you.
- We give you honest advice about whether court is the right step, and help you avoid it where a fair agreement is still possible.
- Our Mount Gambier office means families in the South East have local support when the Court sits on circuit there.
- With offices in Adelaide and regional SA, plus phone and video consultations, you can get advice wherever you are.
If your matter is heading to court, or you want to know whether it needs to, book a free first consultation with our family court lawyers. We’ll explain where you stand and the best next step for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go to court to sort out parenting or property?
No. Most families reach agreement through negotiation or dispute resolution without a court hearing. Court is generally a last resort, used when an agreement cannot be reached or a matter is urgent.
What do I need to do before filing in the family court?
You usually need to follow the Court’s pre-action procedures, including inviting the other party to dispute resolution. For parenting orders, you will generally need a section 60I certificate unless an exception applies.
Where is the family court in Adelaide?
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia sits in the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 3 Angas Street, Adelaide. Since 2021, family law matters have been handled by this single federal court.
Can my matter be heard in Mount Gambier?
The Court sits on circuit at the Mount Gambier Court House on Bay Road, but documents are filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal or the Adelaide registry. Our Mount Gambier office can help you with both.
How long do family court matters take?
It depends on the issues and whether you can agree. Matters that settle can be finalised much sooner, but a contested case that goes to a final hearing can take well over a year.
What if there is family violence or my matter is urgent?
The usual pre-action steps may not apply where there is a risk of family violence or genuine urgency. We can act quickly to file an urgent application and help keep you and your children safe.
