There are many Gold Coast family lawyers available for clients. How do you decide which law firm is right for you?
Before you read on, we wanted you to understand that we don’t believe a firm is the best or perfect family law firm in Southport. We have written this article to help save you time doing the research yourself. If you’re still unsure after reading this blog, call our office, and we will help you understand whether you need a lawyer.
Let’s get to the list.
We’ve reviewed 25 family law firms in Southport, Gold Coast, and found seven of the best.
Here are our picks for the seven best family law firms in Southport.
HELPFUL NOTE: If you’re new to finding the best family lawyer near you or want to understand more, we recommend you read this guide on how to choose the right family lawyer.
Who are the best family lawyers in Southport?
1. Shanahan Family Law (Results Driven)
Luke Shanahan has over 15 years of experience. Since 2008, he’s effectively represented clients across all areas of family law. Shanahan Family Law has always focused on settling family law matters without conflict.
Their approach finds opportunities for mediation and avoids court action whenever possible. This is an important priority in any family law matter. This has made them one of the most trusted firms on the Gold Coast.
What clients are saying
They took me under their wing from the moment I walked through the door, and I felt safe, supported, heard, informed and above all I never felt alone.
– Stacy Holmes-Brown
Luke and his team doesn’t just represent their clients legally. You will receive emotional support and an empathetic approach to your case. Luke’s years of experience enables him to break down complex legal issues to ensure clients are aware of their situation and the path forward.
Making clients feel heard is often overlooked by lawyers. Giving them a sense of control helps clients feel secure in the representation. Shanahan Family Law excels in all these aspects, making them a favoured law firm in Southport.
Best for
Many individuals are experiencing particularly stressful family law issues. Shanahan Family Law is ideally placed to provide empathetic and effective representation with as little conflict as possible.
Services
- Divorce & Separation
- Property Settlement
- Child Custody
- Domestic Violence
- Mediation
- Parental Disputes
- Parenting Arrangements
- Spousal Maintenance
- Binding Financial Agreements
2. Collective Family Law Group
Collective Family Law Group is client-focused. Their family law team, one of the most experienced in Southport, prioritise real-world solutions and practical solutions for family law matters.
They can provide support across all areas of family law and will work tirelessly to get their clients the best possible outcome. When considering this service to the Southport community, we’re happy to recommend them highly.
What clients are saying
Christine + CFLG always helped me fight for the best access I could get with my children, assisted on property settlement and actioned my divorce.
– Ben Owens
Clients can receive high-quality legal assistance across a range of family law areas. Whether you’re working through a divorce, parenting arrangements, or property matters, the Collective Family Law Group will assist. With their years of experience, they can ensure that clients like Ben receive satisfactory outcomes in difficult circumstances.
Best for
Clients needing personalised service across any area of family law can rely on Collective Family Law Group.
Services
- Property Division
- Parenting & Custody Arrangements
- Property Settlements
- Separation and Divorce
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Family Dispute Resolution
- Domestic Violence Cases
- Family Court Procedures
- International Family Law
3. Reardon Family Lawyers
Few law firms can boast the depth of experience displayed by Reardon Family Lawyers. David Reardon established the firm in 2009, after 14 years of prior experience in the field. David has also contributed to furthering the understanding of financial agreements through international conference presentations. They pride themselves on industry-leading customer service, professional advice and cost-efficient solutions.
Reardon Family Lawyers helps their clients move on with their lives and achieve a stable and financially secure future. Decades of experience in the field enables their team to deliver results, even in difficult circumstances.
What clients are saying
I cannot express my gratitude for the assistance of Reardon Family Lawyers that helped me navigate a very complex case of Family Law.
– Paula Gartea
Family law cases can often include complexities that make finding resolutions a long and laborious issue. When you work with a firm like Reardon Family Lawyers, you can be confident that your case is safe. They have a proven track record working on matters concerning Hague Convention cases and a variety of property arrangements.
Best for
David Reardon’s depth of experience in all areas of family law makes him an excellent option for clients dealing with complex cases.
Services
- Divorce & Separation
- Child Custody and Support
- Domestic Violence Cases
- Property Settlement
- Mediation and Dispute Resolution
- Spousal and De-facto Maintenance
- Surrogacy and Child Protection
- Consent Orders and Binding Financial Agreements
- Hague Convention Cases (Overseas Child Abduction)
- General Matrimonial Law Advice
4. MCG Legal
MCG Legal represents its clients with integrity and transparency. Their focus is on providing clarity and walking clients through complex family law cases in a way that simplifies the process. They approach every client with empathy and strive to understand your unique circumstances.
Their services extend beyond family law. Do you need assistance with buying or selling a property? Do you need to review a business contract or a new will? Their team handles conveyancing, estate planning, personal injury, and commercial law.
What clients are saying
Brilliant service and extremely helpful with my matrimonial situation. I received the correct advice and my matter was dealt swiftly with high importance.
– Angie Lacey
Family law issues can often stretch on for months, or even years. This doesn’t just mean increased legal costs. Clients face months or even years of legal disputes. MCG Legal approaches each case with a desire to secure results quickly and as painlessly as possible. They can achieve this through sensible legal strategies and understanding the complexities of family law.
Best for
Anyone looking for clear and direct legal representation should look to MCG Legal for guidance. Their experienced family law solicitors can assist with a broad array of matters.
Services
- Binding Financial Agreement
- Child Custody
- Divorce & Separation
- Domestic Violence
- Mediation
- Parental Disputes
- Parenting Arrangements
- Property Settlement
- Spousal Maintenance
5. Michael Dwyer Solicitor
Family law is a stressful time. Michael Dwyer Solicitor always seek to centralise their clients’ comfort and reduce anxiety. For the last 20 years, they’ve served Southport through their proactive and innovative approach to their clients’ legal needs.
Beyond Family Law, they work on a range of criminal issues from public drunkenness to murder cases. They may also assist with QCAT hearings, conveyancing, estate planning, and commercial and traffic law concerns.
What clients are saying
He [Michael Dwyer] is a man of great knowledge, a leader of skill in his field and the upmost morality you could ask for in a human being.
– Ben
The Michael Dwyer Solicitor team demonstrates their dedication to ethical practice through their community work. They participate in legal aid work as part of a commitment to providing pro bono services to clients who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access professional legal advice.
Best for
Michael Dwyer Solicitor can help those dealing with particularly sensitive family law matters that require empathy and understanding.
Services
- Child Custody
- Divorce & Separation
- Domestic Violence
- Property Settlement
- Mediation
- Parental Disputes
- Spousal Maintenance
- Binding Financial Agreements
6. Stone Group Lawyers
Stone Group Lawyers offer a full suite of services that serve the entirety of their clients’ divorce journey. Their experienced lawyers can take care of the divorce process itself, provide independent legal advice for an equitable property settlement and organise child custody arrangements.
In addition to their family law work, they cover many other areas. They are experienced in corporate law and the heavily regulated franchise sector. They also assist migrants with work and student visas and help clients reunite with family.
What clients are saying
We’ve been working with Daniel Birch of Stone Group Lawyers for over 3 years. Their professionalism and specialist expertise across a range of legal areas is self-evident.
– Dan Richardson
Stone Group Lawyers has fostered meaningful relationships with clients through dedicated service and effective representation. Through their range of legal services, they represent clients from individuals to blue-chip companies.
Best for
Clients who are looking for a full suite of family law services with a fair and transparent fee structure. You can look to this firm when you favour mediation over court action.
Services
- Property Settlement
- Child Custody Arrangements
- Domestic Violence Protection
- Financial Agreements (Prenups)
- Divorce & Separation
- Mediation and Negotiation
7. OMB Solicitors
OMB Solicitors traces its history all the way back to 1968. Over the decades, they’ve become an important voice in the community. To that end, they offer free seminars on the Gold Coast to inform attendees about family law processes, including how the Court handles family violence concerns and what to do after separation. Their community focus extends to active support for various causes such as the Gold Coast Community Fund, which supports Gold Coast families in need.
While they’re experienced with the Family Law Act, their expertise extends to estate law, business law, conveyancing, and insurance law.
What clients are saying
Excellent experience with OMB, in particular Tom, who had help us and given advice on our By-laws and some very difficult situations. Very knowledgeable and replies almost immediately.
– Isobel Lubbe
Working in strictly regulated areas such as insurance law, they field a highly experienced team across their practice areas. Their collaborative approach with open communication and professional guidance has served thousands of clients over decades.
Best for
Anyone who wants answers to family law questions will find their free seminars extremely helpful and insightful. You can better trust their mediation-first approach when you’re fully educated on the process.
Services
- Divorce Lawyer
- Child Custody Arrangements
- Domestic Violence Protection
- Property and Asset Division
- Mediation
- Spousal Maintenance
- Binding Financial Agreements
Our top three picks
Here’s a quick look at our top 3 picks:
- Shanahan Family Law
- Stone Group Lawyers
- Reardon Family Lawyers
Here are the top 30 law firms we considered.
- Shanahan Family Law
- Collective Family Law Group
- MCG Legal
- Michael Dwyer Solicitor
- Stone Group Lawyers
- OMB Solicitors
- Reardon Family Lawyers
- Bell Legal Group
- Ramsden Lawyers
- Barron Family Law
- Pullos Lawyers
- Cudmore Legal
- Derek Legal
- ABKJ Lawyers
- Brooke Winter Solicitors and Advisers
- Hofstee Lawyers
- Bruce Legal
- Frampton Mark
- Antonious Abdelshahied
- Redland Legal
- Ashkan Tai Lawyers
- GTC Lawyers Southport
- CIF Lawyers Gold Coast
- Aitken White Lawyers
- The Legal House
Scoring Criteria
How do we determine the best family law firms in Southport?
There are 4 categories we look at when assessing a family law firm.
1. Reputability
Reputability is one of the key factors for good divorce lawyers. Reputability is crucial to ensuring clients can trust their lawyer to represent them. Reputable firms operate with integrity and honestly seek to secure the best outcomes for their clients.
There are many ways to assess a firm’s reputability. Look at reviews and client testimonials.
Has anyone had a bad experience with the firm?
Was there misconduct involved?
The personal experiences of past clients are an important source of information. Consider any professional credentials and awards the firm has received. This demonstrates the firm’s standing amongst its peers.
2. Communication
Good communication can make difficult family law matters much easier. Family lawyers must fully inform clients about their situation and the available options. If they don’t, clients can feel stressed and confused.
Lawyers with good communication can simplify complex legal issues. They will answer any questions their clients have and can communicate through different channels. These could be through email, over the phone or in person.
3. Cost-effectiveness
Financial challenges affect a client’s ability to move on from their legal issues. A good lawyer can find ways to work with their clients’ financial circumstances. This doesn’t need to sacrifice their access to quality legal assistance.
Lawyers can offer different payment options. Deferred fees allow clients to pay after the completion of their case. Fixed fees give clients a transparent understanding of a lawyer’s services and prevent costs from running over-budget.
- Find out: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost?
4. Track record
A lawyer’s effectiveness will be most clearly demonstrated by their track record. How many clients have they represented, and how successful have they been in securing a good outcome? It’s important to consider whether their results were acceptable to the client.
For example, they may have experience drafting financial agreements, but did those agreements meet expectations?
Does the lawyer have experience with cases similar to yours?
Family law matters can be complex. Child custody cases can involve international jurisdictions, and property settlements may have unusual financial structures. Check if the lawyer has dealt successfully with processes relevant to your case.
How do I use reviews to assess a family lawyer?
Reviews are an excellent way of vetting law firms. However, it’s important to approach reviews correctly to ensure you get the most out of them.
Are there patterns?
Consider if there are points of praise or criticism that keep coming up. You might find that clients consistently praise a lawyer’s compassion and empathy or criticise them for a lack of communication. Noticing patterns is easiest when a law firm has many reviews.
If a firm has very few reviews, that may indicate that few people have trusted their services.
Prioritise recent reviews
Recent reviews should give you the most accurate view of a law firm. The quality of their services may have declined over time, making older reviews less relevant. Alternatively, they may have reformed their services successfully.
Find detailed reviews
Look for reviews that provide a lot of detail about a client’s experience. Simple, one-line reviews won’t give you a sense of the lawyer’s ability to handle the specifics of your case. Check if there are clients whose case is similar to yours.
Firm responses
Law firms should endeavour to respond to as many reviews as possible. They must respond to negative reviews. A client may leave a bad review that details various criticisms. However, the client’s criticisms may be unfair or inaccurate. If so, a lawyer’s response can clear up the misunderstanding.
A response can also express what lessons the lawyer learned and how they can improve. This says a lot about a lawyer’s integrity.
Is the review extreme?
Consider whether the review seems too extreme. You may find one review that provides excessive praise or criticism. It may be worth discounting these reviews if they depart too much from the tenor of other reviews.
Fake reviews
Fake reviews can be posted on platforms to artificially inflate a firm’s overall score or unfairly smear them. You may find multiple reviews with similar wording. This can indicate that a law firm is getting review bombed.
Conclusion
We have compiled a thorough list of the best family lawyers in Southport based on extensive research and actual data. Each highlighted firm excels in reputability, communication, cost-effectiveness, and track record, making them excellent choices for anyone in need of legal assistance in the Southport area.
The next step is to evaluate these firms yourself. Visit their websites, review their services, and contact them for consultations. Then, use your judgment to select the firm that best aligns with your needs and goals in family law.
If you need help with family law matters, contact us for a free discovery call.
