When you’re going through a separation or divorce, having trusted family law solicitors guiding you can mean the difference between a smooth experience and a stressful one.
At Watts McCray Parramatta, our team of accredited specialists and experienced family and divorce lawyers are here to guide you through every stage of the process – legally, financially and even emotionally, with the goal of making the entire process as smooth and simple as possible. We understand this isn’t just about ending something, but also about starting something new.
We’ve helped thousands of families in Parramatta and across the wider Sydney area resolve family law matters quickly, efficiently, with dignity… and with outcomes they feel good about. And we’re ready to help you too.
Understanding the divorce process
As Parramatta family lawyers we understand the divorce process for families in New South Wales, and across Australia. And when it comes to divorce, Australia has a no-fault system. That means that either party can legally end the marriage provided it has ‘irretrievably’ broken down and there’s no possibility of reconciliation.
To apply for a divorce in Parramatta, and indeed across Australia, you don’t need to provide any reasons for the divorce. However, you do need to be separated for at least 12 months, to satisfy the requirement for the marriage to have irretrievably broken down, and either you or your ex-spouse need to be a permanent resident or citizen in Australia. If you meet those requirements, you will be able to apply for a divorce order one year after your separation.
If you have children under the age of 18 you will also need to show that appropriate parenting arrangements have been made, or that these are being worked on, before the divorce will be granted. It’s important to remember that a divorce order doesn’t settle parenting arrangements, spousal maintenance or property matters. These must be handled separately via negotiation, mediation or by applying to the court. Of course, our expert family lawyers can help you manage these processes as well.
International divorce
Divorces where one or both spouse lives abroad or there are assets in different countries, can be more complex. You may face issues related to jurisdiction, foreign marriage certificates, locating overseas property and parenting disputes across borders.
At Watts McCray our family law experts can help you navigate the legal complexities that could crop up in these cases and ensure that your rights are protected both here and overseas.
Why choose Watts McCray Parramatta?
When you’re looking for a divorce lawyer in Parramatta finding one with experience, expertise and empathy is important. Our local team offers all this and more.
- We focus on helping you pursue the simplest and most amicable resolutions wherever possible. But we’re also strong and fierce advocates when needed.
- We’re known for supporting clients and their families to achieve the best outcome, and move forward with more freedom and confidence,
- Our Parramatta lawyers have decades of combined experience in separation, divorce, property and parenting matters, as well as all related family law matters.
- Our accredited specialists in family law have demonstrated a high level of competence and expertise and have met the requirements for approval from the Law Society of New South Wales.
- We understand the unique cultural and legal nuances of Western Sydney, particularly the Parramatta area, and tailor our approach accordingly.
Where you’ll find us in Parramatta
Our Watts McCray Parramatta Office is located at 9 George Street Parramatta next to the Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building that houses both the Parramatta Family Court and the Parramatta Federal Circuit Court.
Our offices are easily accessible via the T1, T2 and T5 trains to Parramatta Station from which it’s about a five to 10-minute walk to our building. Numerous bus routes also pass by our offices, including routes 501, 525, 545 and the free CBD shuttle, 900. Exit the bus at stop George Street-MacArthur Street and you’re just a short stroll away.
If you prefer to drive, Parramatta is well-serviced by the M4 Motorway and there are convenient paid parking options close by.
Our Parramatta reception is open Monday-Friday from 08.30 – 17.30.
Watts McCray Lawyers Parramatta
Level 7, 9 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Contact details:
Phone: 1300 398 638
Alternatively, fill out the contact form below.
How to start the divorce process with our Parramatta lawyers
Our process is designed to make things as smooth and stress-free as possible for you and your family.
1. Book your initial consultation
During our first consultation we’ll discuss your relationship history, key dates (such as the beginning and end of your relationship), your living arrangements, children involved and financial information. We can then put together a plan for proceeding through the separation and divorce process.
2. Gather the required documents
To file for divorce, you’ll need the following documents:
- A copy of your marriage certificate
- Proof of Australian citizenship, residency or visa, if you were not born in Australia
- An affidavit if separated under the same roof for some or all of your separation period
If you have children under the age of 18 you will also need to have addressed, or be addressing, parenting arrangements.
3. File your application for divorce
The next step is to file your application for divorce with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court). You can file jointly or as a sole applicant. We can help you with this process, of course, and take care of the filing for you.
4. Serve the application
If you file as a sole applicant, the documents must be properly served on your former spouse. The Court has requirements on how to do this, but our team is on hand to advise, and we can assist you to find people to act as servers as needed.
5. Attend the hearing (if required)
Generally attendance at the hearing is not necessary, However, if your application is contested or incomplete, you may need to attend Court. Again, our team can help you complete your paperwork to avoid this need or attend with you if needed.
6. Receive your divorce order
Once everything is in order, your divorce order will be granted on the date it is allocated by the court. The divorce is usually finalised one month and one day after the Court grants the order.
Contact our Specialist Family Law Team
You can contact our divorce lawyers to assist you with the divorce process.
FAQs
Most people do not need to attend court to get a divorce. Instead, the court will review the divorce application filed and consider if all of the requirements have been met. Of course, if there are issues with your divorce application or difficulty with service, then you will need to attend Court.
This used to be a requirement under the Family Law Act, but as of 10 June 2025, that requirement has been removed. Now you can apply for divorce without attending counselling, regardless of how long you’ve been married.
In Australia, we have a no fault divorce jurisdiction, so it doesn’t matter who files for divorce first.
If you want a divorce, but your partner doesn’t, you can file for divorce regardless, so long as you have been separated for at least 12 months. In Australia we have ‘no fault’ divorce which means you can file for divorce at any time after this period of separaton, without the other partner having to agree.
If your former spouse won’t agree to a divorce, you will need to prepare and file a sole divorce application.
Once your divorce application is approved by the Court, your divorce will become final one month and one day after the hearing date. The entire process is highly dependent on the circumstances of your divorce, how quickly documents are prepared and served and the Court’s schedule. However, you can typically expect the process to take around three to four months.
Definitely not. You must wait until your divorce order is finalised before remarrying.
Yes, you can oppose a divorce, but only in limited circumstances. For example, you can dispute the date that you were separated, or whether you were actually separated when living under one roof. However, you cannot dispute a divorce application for emotional or moral reasons.
Most people do not need to attend court for the divorce hearing. However if the Court has questions or your paperwork needs clarification, you may need to attend.
Yes. In Australia, the terms ‘divorce lawyer’, ‘divorce solicitor’ and ‘family lawyer’ are often used interchangeably. At Watts McCray, our family lawyers handle all aspects of separation, divorce, parenting and property matters.
A dissolution of marriage is the legal term for divorce – the formal end of a marriage under Australian law. Once a divorce order is granted and becomes final, your marriage is legally dissolved.
You can access an online application for divorce using the Commonwealth Courts Portal. This is the preferred method for filing the application. However, it’s also possible to file with a paper application if necessary. You will need to contact the Court for those forms.
Contact our Specialist Family Law Team
Do you have a question about family law or relationship law?
Contact us today, and a member of our team will get back to you soon.
Other Family Law Services
Accredited to deliver
Choose a team with more accredited lawyers.
