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Cairns Family Lawyers
★★★★★ 4.9 / 5 from 293 verified reviews
Family Lawyers Cairns ·
Accredited Specialists

Separation is hard.
Getting help shouldn't be.

Saving you time, money and sanity.

Collier Family Law is a dedicated family law firm in Cairns. Property settlements, divorce and arrangements for children, handled with kindness, respect and honesty by a team led by an accredited specialist in family law with 30 years of experience. We aim to mediate, not litigate, and we're always upfront about fees.

🔒 Free, no obligation. Your privacy is 100% guaranteed.
Nardine Collier explains the 9 reasons to choose Collier Family Law, family lawyers Cairns
Watch (3 min): Nardine Collier on the 9 reasons families in Cairns and across Far North Queensland choose us.
30+Years in Family Law
4.9 ★From 293 LawTap Reviews
100sOf Cases Resolved
Free15-Minute First Chat
Proud members & partners
Member of Queensland Law Society Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist Family Law Practitioners Association Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia Google My Business Reviews Independent Children's Lawyers JustFund - legal fee funding partner
Family Law Specialist & Divorce Lawyer Cairns

How can our Cairns family lawyers help you today?

Choose the path that fits where you are right now. Family law is 100% of our focus, expertise and passion.

Meet our team

The family lawyers by your side

We get that you're going through a tough time. Our lawyers combine serious experience with genuine kindness, and our aim is simple: get you to the next stage of your life with the least stress possible.

Nardine Collier, Accredited Specialist family lawyer in Cairns

Nardine Collier

Founder & Principal Lawyer · Accredited Specialist

A family lawyer for 30 years, mediator, arbitrator, parenting coordinator and Independent Children's Lawyer. Nardine has been through separation herself and built the firm around one belief: you can divorce with dignity.

Continue reading →
Emily Bennett, family lawyer at Collier Family Law Cairns

Emily Bennett

Lawyer

Emily has devoted her entire career to family law, including more than a decade working alongside Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court as a Judge's Associate. Her particular passion is property settlements and resolving matters at mediation, without costly court proceedings.

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Ingrid Gardiner, Senior Associate family lawyer in Cairns

Ingrid Gardiner

Senior Associate

With over eight years practising exclusively in family law, Ingrid is known for her strategic, empathetic approach and strong advocacy. She has a special interest in complex parenting matters and holds a Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution.

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Holly Hastie, family lawyer at Collier Family Law Cairns

Holly Hastie

Lawyer

Holly works across parenting and property matters with care and diligence, guided by our senior practitioners. She takes pride in making sure clients feel supported and confident through what can be a complex, emotional process.

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Behind our lawyers is a brilliant support team of paralegals and administrators keeping everything running smoothly.

Meet Our Full Team
Why families choose us

Nine reasons, straight from Nardine.

The same nine reasons from the video above, in black and white.

Free first chat

A 15-minute call at no cost and no obligation, so you can make sure we're the right fit before spending a cent.

Genuinely affordable

Our hourly rate is up to $100 cheaper than major competitors, with payment by instalments and staged billing. Never a big lump sum upfront. JustFund legal fee funding is also available, so eligible clients pay from their settlement instead.

Serious experience

Affordable doesn't mean junior. Nardine has practised for over 30 years and is an accredited specialist in family law.

Local and everywhere

Offices in Cairns and Alice Springs, plus clients on the Tablelands, in Innisfail and anywhere in Australia with a phone and email.

100% family law

It's our entire focus, expertise and passion. Nothing else.

Mediate, not litigate

We'll always try to keep your matter out of court to save you time and money. Court is a last resort, not the default.

We actually listen

We stay focused on what matters to you, keep you informed at every step and never bury you in legal jargon.

You can help, and save

We explain the law and the process, and show you where doing some legwork yourself will cut your fees.

We put in the hard yards

When it counts, we fight for the outcome you deserve. That's what it's all about.

Legal fees, explained honestly

No surprises. Ever.

Worrying about legal fees is normal. Here's how we keep yours under control:

  • A written estimate at your first appointment, updated at every stage of your file.
  • Pay in stages, not lump sums. Flexible instalment options are available.
  • Do-it-with-us options. Fill in documents yourself, gather your own records, and watch your bill shrink.
  • Fixed-fee E-Consulting for one-off questions, quoted before you commit.

The clearest way to know what your matter will cost? Ask. Your first 15 minutes with Nardine are free, and you'll leave with an honest estimate.

Get My Free Fee Estimate
Worried about the cost?

You may not need money upfront. Ask us about JustFund.

We work with JustFund, legal fee funding built specifically for family law. It can be the difference between waiting and getting proper representation now:

  • Pay from your settlement, not your savings. A flexible line of credit means your legal fees come out of your property settlement when it resolves.
  • No repayments along the way. Nothing to pay until your matter is finalised.
  • Approval isn't based on your income. Eligibility looks at your expected settlement, not your payslip. This matters if you've been out of work or your ex controls the finances.
  • Finding out takes minutes and commits you to nothing. Mention it at your free 15-minute chat and we'll tell you honestly whether it suits your situation.

Learn how JustFund works →

Free eBook

Need help in the post-separation world?

Nardine wrote this very special book with lots of tips and hints to help you, and it's all yours for free. The book covers:

  • The nine steps of negotiating a property settlement
  • The law of property division and how assets are divided
  • Practical tips to prepare you before you see a lawyer

Instant delivery. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

The 9 Steps of Negotiating a Property Settlement book cover
Client stories

What our recent clients say

★★★★★

"Nardine is brilliant. Honest, open communication with clear options for plans going forward."

Nicola · Cairns
★★★★★

"I am so glad I had Emily in my corner. I now have the financial security and peace of mind needed to start this next chapter of my life."

Property settlement client
★★★★★

"I've been using Collier Family Law for almost 3 years and wouldn't go anywhere else. Easy to deal with and very affordable. Nardine kept working hard to get me the result I wanted."

Joe · Cairns
4.9 / 5 from 293 verified LawTap reviews · read them all here
Follow along

Life at Collier Family Law

Gentle, practical family law tips from our Instagram, @collierfamilylaw.

Collier Family Law team member portrait Inside the Collier Family Law office in Cairns Nardine Collier at the Collier Family Law office gate A Collier Family Law lawyer at her desk Nardine Collier, Founder and Principal Lawyer The Collier Family Law team chatting in the office
Your questions answered

Family law in Cairns: common questions

Short answers to get you started. For advice on your situation, book a free 15-minute chat.

How much do family lawyers in Cairns cost?
Our hourly rate is up to $100 cheaper than major Cairns competitors. You receive a written fee estimate at your first appointment, updated at every stage, and you can pay in instalments rather than a lump sum. JustFund legal fee funding is also available for eligible matters.
What if I can't afford a lawyer until my settlement comes through?
This is exactly what JustFund exists for. It's a flexible line of credit for family law matters: your legal fees are paid from your property settlement when it resolves, with no repayments along the way, and approval is based on your expected settlement rather than your income. Ask about it at your free 15-minute chat and we'll tell you whether it suits your situation.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. Every new client starts with a free 15-minute phone appointment with our principal lawyer Nardine Collier, with no obligation. You'll get an idea of your options and an initial estimate of fees for the first stage of work.
How long does a divorce take in Queensland?
You must be separated for 12 months before applying for divorce. Once filed, a divorce order is usually made one month and one day after the hearing. Property settlements and parenting arrangements run on their own timelines and can often be resolved sooner through negotiation or mediation.
How is property divided after separation?
There is no automatic 50/50 split in Australia. The court looks at the asset pool, each person's financial and non-financial contributions, and future needs such as care of children and earning capacity. Most matters settle by agreement through consent orders without ever going to court. Our free eBook, The 9 Steps of Negotiating a Property Settlement, walks you through the whole process.
Do all family law matters end up in court?
No. Most family law matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation. Court is a last resort, not the default. Our approach is to mediate rather than litigate, which saves you time, money and stress.
Do grandparents have rights to see their grandchildren?
Grandparents can apply to the court for orders to spend time with their grandchildren. The court's focus is always the best interests of the child. We can advise on your options at a free initial chat.
Can you help me if I don't live in Cairns?
Yes. We have offices in Cairns and Alice Springs and regularly assist clients in Innisfail, on the Atherton Tablelands, and anywhere in Australia. All you need is a phone, and ideally an email address.
What should I prepare for my first appointment?
A brief written summary of your situation helps, but you don't need to send documents at this stage. If you engage us, we'll tell you exactly which documents to provide.
Ask Us Your Question, Free
Where to find us

Family lawyers in Cairns, Innisfail & Alice Springs

Cairns Office

146 Mulgrave Road
Westcourt QLD 4870

07 4214 5666 · admin@collierlawyers.com.au

Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

Get directions →

Innisfail Office

42 Mourilyan Street
East Innisfail QLD 4860

07 4214 5666

Alice Springs Office

Unit 4A, 42 Bath Street
Alice Springs NT 0870

Visit Alice Springs site →

Our family lawyers serve clients across Cairns and Far North Queensland, including Westcourt, Edge Hill, Cairns City, Redlynch, Smithfield, Trinity Beach, Gordonvale, the Atherton Tablelands, Mareeba, Innisfail and surrounding communities, plus clients anywhere in Australia by phone and email.

Ready to talk? The first 15 minutes are on us.

No cost. No obligation. Just clarity on where you stand and what it's likely to cost.

Book Your Free Appointment
Free 15-minute phone appointment

Book your free chat with Nardine

Before you book, take two minutes to watch this. Nardine explains exactly what happens on the call, what to prepare, and how fee estimates work. No surprises.

Nardine Collier explains what to expect at your free 15-minute appointment
Watch first (2 min): Nardine on what to expect at your free 15-minute appointment.
How it works

What happens on the call

  1. You tell us what's going on

    A brief summary in writing beforehand helps, but there's no need to send documents yet. Nardine listens first.

  2. Nardine explains your options

    General information about your situation and what the firm can do to assist. Specific legal advice comes once you engage us and we know your full situation.

  3. You get an honest fee estimate

    A realistic initial estimate for the first stage of work, and what we expect to achieve in that time. Fees are always discussed openly, at this call and every stage after.

  4. You decide, with zero pressure

    You'll receive a follow-up email summarising the chat. If you'd like to go ahead, just reply with your residential address and we'll open your file. If not, no hard feelings. And no, Nardine won't hang up on you at exactly 15 minutes.

Worried about the cost?

You may not need money upfront. Ask us about JustFund.

We work with JustFund, Australia's leading provider of legal fee funding for family law. In short:

  • Pay from your settlement, not your savings. JustFund provides a flexible line of credit so your legal fees come out of your property settlement when it resolves.
  • No repayments along the way. Nothing to pay until your matter is finalised, so you can get proper representation now even if money is tied up in the relationship's assets.
  • Approval isn't based on your income. Eligibility looks at your expected settlement, not your payslip, which matters if you've been out of work or your ex controls the finances.
  • It's quick to find out. Applying takes minutes and doesn't commit you to anything. Mention it at your 15-minute chat and we'll tell you honestly whether it suits your situation.

Learn more at justfund.com.au →

Request your appointment

⏱ 15 minutes🔒 Confidential$0 · No obligation

Fill this in and we'll confirm a time, usually the same business day. Or book directly through LawTap.

Takes 30 seconds · Usually confirmed the same business day

🔒 Your privacy is 100% guaranteed. Everything you share is confidential.
Prefer to talk now? Call 07 4214 5666

Not ready to book yet?

Start with the free eBook, or email a question through E-Consulting and get a written answer within 24 hours.

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