Family Lawyers in Coonamble
Living a long way from the nearest city shouldn’t mean going without good legal advice. ALA Law’s family lawyers help Coonamble families with divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements and child support, by phone and video, with in-person appointments in Dubbo and Orange.
- Accredited Family Law Specialists
- Phone & video appointments
- Confidential & respectful
Family law advice that comes to you
For families in Coonamble, Gulargambone and Quambone, phone and video appointments mean expert advice without the long drive. We share documents securely online and keep you updated by phone and email.
Coonamble family lawyers who make distance easy
We know that for many families in the north-west, the nearest lawyer or court can be hours away. Our phone and video appointments mean you can get advice quickly, from home, work or the farm.
Our lawyers help with everything from parenting arrangements to property settlements involving grazing and cropping land, and we understand how distance, school and seasonal work can shape what’s practical for your family.
Led locally by Special Counsel Julie Vass and backed by ALA Law’s Accredited Family Law Specialists, we’ll help you find a practical, fair outcome and keep you informed at every step.
Contact ALA Law
- Orange: by appointment only
- Dubbo: by appointment only
- 1300 ALA LAW (1300 252 529)
- reception@alalaw.com.au
- Phone & video appointments for Coonamble clients
Family law services for Coonamble clients
Choose an area below to learn more. Not sure where your situation fits? Call us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Separation & divorce
Clear guidance through separation and your divorce application, handled with respect.
Children & parenting
Parenting plans and orders that put your children’s wellbeing first.
Property settlement
A fair division of property, farms, businesses, super and finances.
Child support
Advice on Services Australia assessments and private child support agreements.
Collaborative family law
Resolve complex matters privately, respectfully and without going to court.
Mediation & dispute resolution
Reach agreement faster, with less conflict and lower cost.
Courts that deal with family matters near Coonamble
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deals with divorce, parenting and property matters from Coonamble. The nearest registry is in Dubbo, and you can file most documents online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal. Many hearings now happen by video, which can save a long trip.
Coonamble Local Court deals with apprehended domestic violence orders and, on Local Court sitting days, Children’s Court matters. Its registry is only open during set weeks each month, so check before you visit.
Coonamble Local Court
27 Aberford Street, Coonamble. The registry opens during set weeks each month. Deals with ADVOs and local matters.
Federal Circuit and Family Court – Dubbo
The nearest registry for divorce, parenting and property applications, with circuit sittings also held in Orange.
Hearings by video
The Court holds many hearings electronically. Where that’s available, we’ll help you prepare so you can take part without a long drive.
Court sitting days and registry hours change from time to time. Check the court’s website before you attend, or ask us and we’ll confirm the details for you.
How we help Coonamble families
Advice that reflects the realities of life in the north-west.
- Parenting plans and parenting orders, including long-distance arrangements
- Property settlement, including grazing and cropping land
- Separation and divorce applications
- Child support and spousal maintenance
- Apprehended domestic violence orders and urgent parenting matters
- Consent orders and binding financial agreements
Working with our Coonamble family lawyers
Call or request a call back
Tell us a little about your situation. We’ll explain how we can help and what happens next.
Meet your lawyer
Choose a phone or video appointment from Coonamble, or meet us in person in Orange or Dubbo by appointment.
Get a clear plan
We’ll explain your options, likely outcomes and costs, and agree on a strategy that suits you.
Resolve your matter
We negotiate, mediate and, only if needed, go to court, keeping you updated at every step.
Meet Julie Vass
Julie leads our family law work for clients across Orange and the Central West, including Coonamble. Admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in 1998, she brings more than 25 years’ experience across all areas of family law, with particular skill in dispute resolution and arbitration.
Julie is supported by ALA Law’s family law Partners Amanda Little, Rosemary Aloisio and Bernadette Melhem, each an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Coonamble clients get the depth of a large specialist team with the personal attention of a local lawyer.
What our clients say
“Did a great job working through all the matters in my case. Advice was awesome always making sure I was kept up to date. So glad I chose such a good office.”
Ely“The girls were great and (did) everything I asked of them and more I would highly recommend.”
Jason“Very professional and knowledgeable….. highly recommend.”
CarlyFamily law questions from Coonamble clients
Do I need to travel to see a family lawyer?
Not necessarily. Most of our Coonamble clients meet with us by phone or video, and we share and review documents securely online. If you’d prefer to meet face to face, we see clients in Orange and Dubbo, by appointment only.
Can family law hearings be held by video?
Yes, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia holds many hearings electronically. Whether a hearing is in person or by video is up to the Court, but we’ll make sure you’re prepared either way. The nearest registry to Coonamble is in Dubbo.
How do parenting arrangements work when parents live far apart?
Long-distance parenting arrangements often involve longer blocks of time during school holidays, regular phone or video calls, and clear plans for travel and handovers. We can help you put an arrangement in place that is realistic and focused on the children.
How is a farm or family business divided after separation?
There is no automatic formula. The Court looks at the asset pool, each party’s financial and non-financial contributions (including contributions made before the relationship, gifts and inheritances), future needs, and what is just and equitable. Farms and businesses usually need a valuation, and we can help you look for options that keep an operation viable where possible.
Is there a 50/50 custody rule in Australia?
No. The law doesn’t start from a 50/50 rule. The Court’s focus is what is in the child’s best interests, including their safety and their relationship with each parent. Many families agree on shared arrangements that work for them, and we can help you reach one.
Are de facto couples treated differently from married couples?
For property and parenting matters, de facto couples generally have similar rights to married couples under the Family Law Act, provided certain requirements are met, such as living together for at least two years or having a child together. The time limit for property claims is two years from separation.
Talk to a family lawyer for Coonamble today
Book a confidential phone, video or in-person appointment with our Coonamble family lawyers. We’ll listen, explain your options and help you take the next step with confidence.