There are a lot of ways to set legal fees, offering fixed fee family law pricing is common, especially for divorce applications, helping reduce the financial strain of separation. It brings clarity when dealing with the other party, whether or not a court order is involved. This can include:
Organising consent orders.
Managing parenting arrangements.
Advising on property settlements.
Providing independent legal advice for binding financial agreements.
Free 60-Second Tool
Fixed-Fee or Hourly? Find Your Best Fit
Answer 5 quick questions and get a personalised view of which fee structure may actually save you money — based on the complexity of your matter.
This short quiz is designed for anyone navigating separation, divorce, property settlement, parenting matters or a binding financial agreement in Australia. You'll get:
- A plain-English recommendation on fixed fees vs hourly rates for your situation
- Key factors family lawyers use to scope a matter
- The right next step, whatever your recommendation
What best describes where you're at right now?
Choose one.
Have you and your former partner reached agreement on most issues?
Think about property, parenting and finances overall.
Have both parties fully disclosed finances (assets, liabilities, super)?
Full financial disclosure is a legal obligation and impacts how a matter is scoped.
Does your matter involve any of these?
Select all that apply. These factors often cause fixed-fee scopes to shift.
How likely is it that your matter could change or escalate?
For example: a change of mind, a new dispute, or a shift to court proceedings.
Get a straight answer from a family lawyer — free
Book a free discovery call with Shanahan Family Law. We'll review your situation and explain exactly how your matter would be costed.
Rated 5 stars by 45+ clients on Google · Sunshine Coast family lawyers since 2008
This tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Every family law matter is different. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact Shanahan Family Law directly. Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.
Shanahan Family Law uses an hourly rate for family law legal fees. We believe this provides the best value for our clients because our family law services are compassionate, tailored, and transparent. Our family law solicitors have clear priorities:
Transparent pricing.
Tailored advice.
Strategic flexibility.
There are several reasons why an hourly rate allows us to represent clients in the best way possible.
What is fixed-fee family law?
Fixed-fee agreements are a one-size-fits-all solution for family law matters. That means the workload has to be predictable. The service defines upfront the specific tasks that’ll be done.
What are hourly rate services?
An hourly rate follows the work the lawyer does. The rate may change according to the experience of the lawyer. The work is then tailored to the specific needs of the case.
Why we use hourly rates
Here are some reasons why we believe our hourly rate approach provides better value for clients at our Sunshine Coast family law firm.
Accounting for unforeseen circumstances
Family law cases can be upended by all kinds of unforeseen issues. This is a problem for fixed fee family law legal support. Some services have conditions, such as:
Existing agreement. The firm might want the parties to have an agreement in place. This avoids the headache of having to go through mediation or negotiations.
Already disclosed finances. Full disclosure can be a lengthy process. This is especially true if the clients are dealing with business interests and investment properties. A lawyer may require the parties to have completed their disclosure obligations before seeking legal advice.
Court fees. A fixed-fee service may or may not include court filing fees, depending on the firm.
This limits the practicality of fixed-fee arrangements. An hourly rate can account for changes in a client’s legal needs without making significant changes to an existing cost agreement.
How Much Will Your Family Law Matter Cost? Get an Instant Estimate
Free Cost Estimator
Family Law Cost Estimate Calculator
Get a ballpark cost range for your family law matter based on 2025/26 Australian industry benchmarks. Adjust the inputs to see how costs change.
Estimated Total Cost
$2,940 – $6,300
Professional fees + typical disbursements. Excludes GST.
This is a benchmark only — get a real quote
Shanahan Family Law offers a free discovery call to scope your matter and give you a clear, transparent cost estimate for your specific situation.
Rated 5 stars by 45+ clients on Google · Sunshine Coast family lawyers since 2008
Disclaimer: This calculator provides indicative estimates only, based on publicly available 2025/26 Australian family law industry benchmarks (hourly rates $300–$750 + GST; sources include Mediations Australia and Matthies Lawyers). These figures are not a quote from Shanahan Family Law, and do not constitute legal advice. Actual costs vary significantly based on the specifics of your matter, the conduct of the other party, and work required. For an accurate estimate, please book a free discovery call. Court filing fees and disbursements change annually — confirm current fees with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Fixed fee family law transparency
It may seem like transparency is a point in favour of fixed fees. Clients can understand pricing beforehand and could potentially pay costs upfront into a trust account. However, the client may have to cover expenses related to work the service wasn’t anticipating, or additional expenses related to complications with an ex partner. An hourly rate offers a more flexible line of billing, ensuring fees always reflect the actual work done.
An hourly rate allows us to be transparent with our clients about how services will be priced. If circumstances in the case change, the client can still be clear about how our legal fees are charged. This supports our focus on cost‑effective, client‑centred family law representation. It can also be easier to provide flexible funding solutions for financially vulnerable clients.
Tailored solutions
We have always focused on the unique needs of every party. An hourly rate allows us to maintain flexibility in the strategy we develop for each individual client. We can provide extensive support while ensuring that clients have a clear fee structure, which is crucial when navigating divorce, separation and related family law matters. This can be important if a case escalates to Family Court proceedings.
When fixed fees may work
Here are some circumstances when fixed fees may work for you, especially if you are seeking compassionate family law help across Australia:
Initial consultations. Paying a set fee for a pre-arranged meeting with a lawyer.
Simple legal matters. When you’re dealing with a small, clearly defined issue that may not require the comprehensive support offered in our Sunshine Coast family law services and client experiences.
Early independent advice. Initial advice on relationship property proceedings or parenting arrangements from our principal family law solicitor Luke Shanahan.
From our clients
I was very happy with my experience at Shanahan Family Law. Danyelle guided me through the property settlement and a satisfactory outcome was reached. This was achieved without going to mediation or court.
- Robert Johnston
Conclusion
Are you working through family law issues with a former partner? Fixed fee family law services can work in some circumstances. But they may not provide complete transparency and are inflexible. As a dedicated provider of family law services, Shanahan Family Law uses an hourly rate to help eligible clients cover legal fees cost-effectively while ensuring every agreement reached is legally binding. This allows us to provide tailored solutions and ensure clients understand how legal assistance is costed.
Are you looking for an experienced family lawyer?
We assist clients in a lot of ways, including dedicated support through our Broadbeach family law practice and our Nambour family law office. Whether you need help with a binding financial agreement or understanding a court filing fee, our family law team is here to guide you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
If you need help with family law matters, contact us for a free discovery call.
