Cost, safety, court and what happens next. Quick answers from our senior solicitors, with links to the detail.
Fixed feesFree 30-minute conferenceSame-day response for urgent court dates
You book a time that suits you, and we call you by phone or Teams. A senior solicitor listens to what has happened and explains where you stand in plain English. If you have court papers, a protection order, a Police Protection Direction or key dates, have them handy. You will leave knowing your options and, if you would like our help, a fixed fee quote. There is no obligation to go ahead.
Your free conference is by phone or Teams, whichever suits you. Once you have signed our cost agreement and we are working on your matter, we often meet in person, for example at a conference with your barrister or at court.
Yes. Tell us the safest way and time to reach you, such as a particular phone number, email address or time of day, and we will use it. You can use the Quick Exit button on every page to leave our website quickly. If it is not safe to talk, a support worker or someone you trust can contact us for you.
No. We help clients right across Queensland. Your free conference and most of our day-to-day contact happen by phone or Teams, so you can speak with us from home, work or anywhere you feel safe. When your matter goes to court, we regularly appear in 13 courts from the Gold Coast to Kingaroy, and we can help with matters heard elsewhere in Queensland too.
We give you a fixed fee for each stage of your matter, agreed before any work starts, so you know the cost before each stage begins. You pay in stages, not one big bill at the end. If your matter changes, we talk to you first. See our pricing.
No. Elysian Law is a private, fee-paying firm and we do not accept Legal Aid Queensland grants. We offer a free 30-minute conference and fixed fees paid in stages, so you know the cost before each stage begins.
Our family law fixed fees start from $2,415 for children and parenting matters or property settlement, and a divorce is $3,370 all-in. A family court application starts from $5,955. We confirm your fixed fee in writing before we start.
Our fixed fees for protection orders start from $2,200 to respond by consent without admissions, from $3,300 to apply for a protection order, and $5,500 to contest an order. Each stage is quoted before any work starts, and payment plans are available.
At the first court date, called a mention, you can usually agree to the order without admitting the allegations, oppose it so the matter goes to a hearing, or ask for time to get legal advice. Protection orders are made under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld). The right choice depends on your situation, including any parenting or criminal matters, so speak with us before your court date.
You can apply to the Magistrates Court yourself under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), or police can apply for you. We help you prepare the application and supporting evidence, ask for a temporary order where it is needed, and appear for you at court.
A breach is a criminal charge and is taken seriously. Do not contact the other person to sort it out. Get legal advice before you speak to police or go to court, so you understand the charge and your options.
Contact us as soon as you can and have your paperwork ready, including the court date, the order or Police Protection Direction and any conditions. We can explain what the next step is, what the deadlines are and what you need to do before your court date. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
It depends on whether the order is agreed or contested. A matter resolved by consent can finish at the first court date, while a contested matter usually takes several months to reach a hearing, depending on court lists. We give you a realistic timeline in your free conference.
It depends on the type of matter. The Magistrates Court hears protection order (DVO) applications, breaches of protection orders and bail applications, and it is where most domestic violence related criminal charges start. More serious criminal offences go on to the District Court after starting in the Magistrates Court. Family law matters, such as parenting, property and divorce, are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. We will tell you which court your matter is in and what to expect there.
Queensland has Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Courts in Brisbane, Beenleigh, Southport, Cairns, Townsville (including a Palm Island circuit) and Mount Isa. They hear protection order applications, and related criminal matters, with magistrates, prosecutors and support services that focus on domestic violence. Our team has experience appearing in all of them.
Please arrive at court by about 8:30am. You will go through a security check at the entrance, a bit like at an airport. Court usually starts at 9am or 9:30am, depending on the location. We will meet you at about 8:45am in a private conference room. We are often there earlier, speaking with police prosecutions, the registry or the other party’s lawyer, so when we come to you we can explain what will happen, confirm your instructions and answer your questions. We appear in court on your behalf and do all the talking. Afterwards, we explain what happened and the next steps. If you did not attend, we call you after court to update you.
Most families agree on arrangements themselves, often with help from mediation, and can make them formal with consent orders. If you cannot agree, the court decides under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) based on what is in the best interests of the children, with safety a key consideration where there has been family violence.
Property settlement looks at what you both have and owe, what each of you contributed, and your future needs, to reach a fair division. Most settle by agreement and make it formal with consent orders or a binding agreement. Time limits apply, so get advice early.
In most cases, yes. Family law is federal law, so the same rules apply wherever you live in Queensland, and parenting, property and divorce matters are run through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Many family law hearings take place by phone or video, so we can appear for you in most, if not all, locations without anyone needing to travel. Your free conference is by phone or Teams too, so where you live does not limit who you can choose as your lawyer.
Usually a few months from filing, depending on court timeframes. Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) you must have been separated for at least 12 months before you apply, and the divorce takes effect one month and one day after the order is made.
Reviewed by Nichale Bool, Principal Solicitor · Updated November 2026
★★★★★
“From the get go, Nichale and the team went above and beyond to support me.”
Lashanna V. · Google review, 2026 · Read more reviews
Confidential. We respond within 1 business day, same day for urgent court dates.
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