Previous Page
Mum with daughter sitting on her lap looking at camera with a partial smile

My family or relationship

Information about what to do when you separate from your partner or need help to care for your child.

If you have separated from your partner, you may need to sort out parenting, property, maintenance and child support. 

If you are married, you may want to apply for a divorce. 

If you have, or are experiencing, domestic or family violence, you can get help to protect yourself.

If you need help to care for your child, you may be speaking with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).  

You may be considering putting your child up for adoption, or you want to adopt a child into your family. 

  • Your safety is important

    Your safety is important

    If you feel unsafe or are experiencing any violence, contact the police, a domestic violence counsellor or get legal advice.

  • Special note:

    Special note:

    If you wish to apply for parenting orders relating to the summer school holidays and Christmas holiday period, you must apply before the summer holiday deadline. The deadline for this year is 4 pm on 10 November 2023. Except in cases of urgency, an application filed after this date will be given the next available date, which may be after Christmas.

Divorce

Divorce

Find out how to apply for, and respond to an application for, divorce.
Click to navigate the page
Parenting

Parenting

Find out how to decide the parenting arrangements for your child when you separate.
Click to navigate the page
Child support

Child support

Find out more about applying for and paying child support.
Click to navigate the page
Care and protection

Care and protection

Find out how to get help when there are concerns for the welfare of a child or young person.
Click to navigate the page
Domestic and family violence

Domestic and family violence

Find out more about the help and support services for victims of domestic and family violence.
Click to navigate the page
Finance and property

Finance and property

Find out how to sort out your finances and divide your property when you separate.
Click to navigate the page
Mediation

Mediation

Find out how mediation can help you when you are separating from your partner.
Click to navigate the page
Adoption

Adoption

Find out more about adoption in NSW.
Click to navigate the page

Ways to get help

Ways to get help

If you have a legal problem in NSW, Legal Aid NSW is here to help you.

Resources

Best for Kids

Legal information for young people and their families, featuring short videos, and links to other useful resources for separating families.

Family law legal aid policy

Find out when you may be eligible for a grant of aid for a family law matter.

amica

amica is a simple, affordable and quick way for couples to agree on parenting, property and money issues when they separate.

Federal Circuit and Family Court

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deals with divorce, maintenance, parenting and financial family law matters.

Children's Court NSW

The Children's Court NSW deals with care and protection, compulsory schooling orders, criminal, traffic and AVO matters where the defendant is under 18 years of age.

Separation

Information for women about separating from your partner on the Willow website. Willow is a free legal information project by Women’s Legal Service NSW.