Trusted Child Custody Lawyers in Queensland

Protecting your children’s best interests with compassion and clarity

When children are involved, family law matters can feel overwhelming and deeply emotional. At CK Family Lawyers, we know that your children’s well-being is your number one priority. We’re here to give you clear guidance, compassionate support, and practical solutions so you can make confident decisions for your family’s future.

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50+

Years of Combined Experience in Family Law

3K+

Families and Individuals Helped

$2B+

Worth of Asset Pools Handled

Navigate custody disputes with confidence and care

Disputes about children can be some of the hardest parts of separation. The uncertainty, emotions, and stress can feel overwhelming. We’re here to give you a clear and supportive path forward.

From creating parenting plans to negotiating custody arrangements and formalising child support agreements, we’ll handle the details while keeping your children’s best interests at the centre of every decision.

Whenever possible, we resolve parenting matters through negotiation and mediation to minimise conflict, stress, and cost. 

But if court becomes necessary, we’re fully prepared to represent you with strength and compassion to secure a fair outcome that protects your children and gives you peace of mind.

We listen, we care, and we act.

When you’re facing difficult family problems, you need a legal partner who really listens and prioritises you. At CK Family Lawyers, you’re not just another case number. Here’s what makes us different:

Sleep easy, knowing your case is our priority

We’re a small firm, and that means your matter won’t get passed around between many lawyers. We are laser-focused on your matter to help you achieve the best outcome.

Get clarity on your situation, anytime you need it

You can reach out to us anytime you need our legal advice. We always respond within a day and make ourselves available for appointments even on weekends and after hours.

Get the best outcome without blowing your savings

Family law doesn’t have to be ruinously expensive and draining. We can help you save money and energy by seeking the earliest possible resolution and avoiding court whenever possible.

Make important decisions confidently

We’ll help you understand everything about your matter and guide you through your options so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

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Chris quickly understood my custody matter and focused on delivering the best outcome for my children at all times. His calm approach to my matter appeased the stresses associated with legal processes, allowing me to trust his guidance and ultimately reach the outcome I intended. Both Chris and Krystina’s communication was always prompt and on point, keeping me up to speed with any progress. Highly recommended for your family matter

Tim Bamford

Your most pressing questions about parenting arrangements, answered.

How can I get 50/50 custody of my child?

Australian family law doesn’t guarantee a 50/50 split, but the court starts from the idea that children benefit from having a meaningful relationship with both parents. If it’s safe and practical, shared care can be arranged. Factors such as each parent’s ability to care for the child, work schedules, and the child’s best interests will guide the outcome.

How can I get sole custody of my child (full custody)?

The law generally presumes that both parents should share responsibility for major decisions about their child. Sole custody (often called “sole parental responsibility”) may be granted if there are serious concerns, such as family violence, neglect, or high conflict that makes shared responsibility unworkable. If you believe sole custody is in your child’s best interests, we’ll help you gather the right evidence and present your matter clearly to the court.

Can my child refuse visitation with the other parent (and at what age)?

There’s no set age at which a child can legally “choose” which parent to live with. The court will consider the child’s views, and the weight given to them depends on the child’s age and maturity.  For example, the views of a 15-year-old may carry more influence than those of a 7-year-old. Ultimately, parenting arrangements are based on the child’s best interests, not just preference.

What can I do if my ex won’t let me see my child?

If your ex is withholding time against court orders or agreements, you may be able to file a contravention application with the court. If there are no orders in place, we can help you apply for parenting orders to secure your time with your child.

Can I legally stop the other parent from seeing our child?

You can only restrict the other parent’s time if there are genuine concerns for the child’s safety such as violence, abuse, or serious neglect. The court generally believes children benefit from having both parents in their lives. If you’re worried about your child’s safety, urgent orders can sometimes be made to protect them.

My ex is planning to move away with our child – can I stop them?

A parent can’t relocate with a child in a way that impacts existing custody arrangements without the other parent’s agreement or a court order. If your ex is planning to move, we can act quickly to make an application to the Court to prevent the relocation until the matter is resolved.

Do I have to pay child support if we have 50/50 custody?

Even with 50/50 care, child support may still apply. The amount depends on each parent’s income, the number of children, and the exact time spent with each parent. It’s not just about time — it’s also about who earns what.

How do custody arrangements affect Centrelink benefits and Family Tax Benefit?

Centrelink and Family Tax Benefit (FTB) are assessed based on the care percentage each parent has. For example, if a child spends 50% of the time with each parent, both may be eligible for shared benefits. If care is uneven, benefits may be weighted toward the parent with greater responsibility. We’ll help you understand how your parenting arrangements will impact your entitlements and make sure everything is documented properly for Centrelink.

Find your way forward in 3 simple steps

Book a consultation
Get a response within 24 hours.

Initial Consultation

We'll sit with you for as long as it takes during our consultation to truly understand your story and explain your options clearly. We will even send the first crucial letter to get things moving. Our initial consultation fee is $275.

Thorough Preparation and Strategic Negotiation

You'll work directly with Chris, our principal lawyer, to resolve your matter quickly through preparation and strategic negotiation. We aim to keep your costs down while protecting what matters most to you.

Resolution and Preparation for Your New Chapter

Once we've achieved the best possible outcome and formalised those arrangements, we can make make sure you're completely set up for your new life by helping you update your will and connecting you with trusted mortgage brokers and financial planners who understand your situation.

Our Clients Say It Best

Chris quickly understood my custody matter and focused on delivering the best outcome for my children at all times. His calm approach to my matter appeased the stresses associated with legal processes, allowing me to trust his guidance and ultimately reach the outcome I intended. Both Chris and Krystina’s communication was always prompt and on point, keeping me up to speed with any progress. Highly recommended for your family matter

Tim Bamford

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Christopher and Krystina for their unwavering support through my five year separation settlement. The dedication and commitment saw me through to the end, and I am deeply thankful to have had them by my side during this incredibly challenging period. I would like to thank the both of you from the bottom of my heart.

Maria Okane

We recently went through the process of selling our home, and working with CK Family Lawyers made it an experience that was both smooth and stress-free. Their professionalism was evident from the start, and they took care of every detail, allowing us to feel completely supported. The team was not only efficient but also genuinely personable, making it clear they cared about how the process felt for us. Knowing that we were in such good hands made all the difference. I would highly recommend CK Family Lawyers to anyone looking for a team that values both expertise and empathy.

Robyn Holland

FAQ

Unlike some firms where you might be "passed around," your matter will primarily be handled by Chris and Krystina themselves. We focus on resolving matters sooner and aim to help people resolve their issues efficiently. We also offer post-resolution support, because we believe in solving the entire problem for you. We can assist with the transfer of property and your new estate planning.

Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The length of a family law case depends on a variety of factors, including:

  • the complexity of the issues involved
  • whether the case goes to court
  • the willingness of both parties to negotiate

Here's a general range to give you an idea:

  • simpler cases (uncontested divorces, straightforward property settlements) can be resolved in a few weeks to a few months.
  • more complex cases (disputes over child custody and significant assets) can take several months or even a year or more.

Absolutely! At CK Family Lawyers, we strongly encourage exploring alternative dispute resolution options like mediation and negotiation whenever possible. These methods can be faster, more cost-effective, less stressful, and more likely to produce a lasting solution.
We'll discuss all your options during your initial consultation and help you choose the best approach for your specific situation.

Yes! At CK Family Lawyers, we believe in building strong client relationships. You'll be working directly with Christopher Jones, our Principal lawyer, throughout your case. He has extensive experience handling a variety of family law matters. Krystina Jones, our Client Relationship Manager, will also be available to assist you and ensure your needs are met.

You won’t get passed around between many lawyers. This approach allows you to develop a trusting relationship with your family lawyer, who understands the specifics of your case.

Yes, CK Family Lawyers offers appointments after hours, early in the mornings, and on weekends to accommodate clients' work schedules and needs. Chris is also generally available via text or call on weekends

Yes, we regularly assist people in dividing their assets and liabilities, whether large or small. We will never turn away a client simply because they don't own enough. If your asset pool is small, we will emphasise the importance of sorting things out sooner to reduce costs, often recommending mediation to reduce expenses.

While we have offices in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, we have experience in handling cases across Queensland. Our main office is located in Sherwood Road, Sherwood Qld 4075

My experience of dealing with Chris and Krystina has been nothing short of exceptional and professional every time. I appreciate the level of detail and compassion given to my matters and the support that I’ve received from them. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Jacki Wuersching

Put your children first, with the right legal support

When parenting disputes feel too heavy to carry alone, we’re here to help.
At CK Family Lawyers, we’ll guide you through the process with compassion, clarity, and a focus on what matters most — your children’s wellbeing.

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