Family Lawyers North Lakes

Clear Advice. Strong Representation. A Path Forward.

Proud partner of

Google★★★★★4.8from 100+ reviews

Our Services

Divorce Lawyers

Applying for divorce, serving the papers, and sorting out the house, money and children.

Property Settlement Lawyers

Dividing property, super and debts fairly, by agreement or through the court.

Child Custody & Parenting Lawyers

Where the children live, time with each parent, and parenting orders.

Consent Orders

Making your agreement legally binding without going to court.

Prenups & Financial Agreements

Binding financial agreements before, during or after a marriage or de facto relationship.

Wills & Estate Planning

Wills, enduring powers of attorney, and updating your plans after separation.

Also: Spousal maintenance · Mediation & dispute resolution · Superannuation splitting · Pre-action procedures · Probate

What Our Clients Say About Us

      
 Excellent4.8108 reviews
 4.8
 Excellent108 reviews
  Write a review 
 
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Gloria Castillo 
 82 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Financial documents that seemed confusing at first became much easier to understand with proper guidance
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Pearl Knight 
 106 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I was worried about lodging the divorce application. The lawyers checked the documents carefully. After their review, the process felt much more straightforward
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kifayat Ullah 
 118 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  The financial agreement gave both sides clarity after a difficult separation
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Celeste Acuña Valenzuela 
 118 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Responsibilities were clearly outlined before final agreements were signed
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Hero Mainkraft 
 119 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Divorce submission went through cleanly without corrections or delays
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Rakibul Islam 
 120 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  What felt overwhelming after separation became more manageable once ABA Lawyers became involved
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Dizajn MIR 
 125 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Property discussions were kept structured instead of becoming emotional arguments
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   ROSACIA, CASEY R. 
 127 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Property negotiations stayed calmer because the legal team kept everything focused on facts
  
 
 
 
 
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   Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

How Your Free 15-Minute Action Plan Works

One short call with a family lawyer, by phone or video. No cost and no obligation.

1. Tell us what’s happening

Fill in the short form or call 07 3352 7666, and we’ll book a time that suits you.

2. Talk it through with a lawyer

A 15-minute call with one of our family lawyers, by phone or video, about your situation.

3. Leave with a clear plan

Where you stand, your options, what to do first, and an estimate of the costs.

Hayder Shkara

Director

Hayder Shkara is the Director of ABA Lawyers and a regular media commentator on family law. An Olympian who represented Australia in Taekwondo at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, he brings discipline, strategy and composure to complex family law matters.

Andrew Burrows

Founder

Founder of ABA Lawyers, admitted to practice in 1992. Known for his depth of knowledge and no-nonsense approach to complex Property Settlements, Parenting, and Divorce matters.

Porscha Stevens

Senior Associate

Porscha is a dedicated family lawyer who provides clear, practical and honest advice to help clients understand their options and achieve a sustainable resolution.

Amy Pattle

Associate

Amy is an experienced and skilled advocate with more than 15 years experience in litigation. Most recently, Amy was a Crown Prosecutor running jury trials and appearing in superior Courts.

Katherine Siotos

Solicitor

Family Lawyer with a Juris Doctor and extensive paralegal background. Known for a warm, human approach that brings calm and clarity to property, parenting, and divorce matters.

Gillian Hirst

Legal Assistant

Valued team member of ABA Lawyers for more than 14 years. Plays an essential role in supporting lawyers to ensure every Family Law matter is managed smoothly and efficiently.

Trusted Family Lawyers in North Lakes

ABA Lawyers is a family law firm at 3/13 Discovery Drive, North Lakes. We help people across North Lakes, Brisbane’s northside, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast through separation, divorce and the decisions that come with it.

We help with property settlement (dividing the home, super, savings and debts) and parenting arrangements, including where the children live and how much time they spend with each parent. We also handle divorce applications, consent orders, spousal maintenance, binding financial agreements and wills and estate planning.

You’ll get clear, practical advice in plain English and an upfront idea of what things are likely to cost. Where it’s safe and realistic, we work to resolve matters by agreement; when a matter does need to go to court, we guide you through each step. Clients rate us 4.8★ on Google.

Why Choose ABA Lawyers?

Choosing the right legal team can make all the difference when navigating complex legal matters. At ABA Lawyers, clients benefit from over 30 years of legal experience, practical advice, and a commitment to clear, straightforward communication. The firm focuses on delivering personalised legal solutions while explaining every step in plain English so clients always understand their options and next steps.

Clear, Confident, Down-to-Earth Legal Guidance

At ABA Lawyers North Lakes, we believe good legal advice shouldn’t sound like another language. We cut through the jargon and explain every step in plain English, so you always know exactly where you stand, what comes next, and how to make the best decisions for your future.

Experienced Lawyers Who Care About Results and People

Our team of qualified, experienced lawyers combines professionalism with a genuine commitment to client care. Whether you’re protecting your assets, resolving a dispute, or planning for the future, you’ll receive practical advice, respect, and understanding at every step.

Affordable, Accessible, and Effective Legal Solutions

We believe quality legal advice should be accessible and cost-effective, without compromise on service or results. Our mission is to deliver clarity, confidence, and the best possible outcome for every client, every time.

Family Law Explainer Videos

My Ex Drained Our Bank Account During Divorce - What Happens Now?

If you’re going through a separation or thinking about starting family law proceedings, the process can feel overwhelmin and confusing.

In this video, I break down the entire family court process in Australia from start to finish.

⚖️ What we cover:

-What happens before court even starts
-Filing an application in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
-The first court event and what to expect
-Interim hearings and urgent issues
-Disclosure and gathering evidence
-Mediation and dispute resolution
-Preparing for a final hearing (trial)
-What judges actually look at when making decisions
-Final orders and what happens after

👨‍⚖️ Why this matters:

Most people go into family court blind.

They don’t understand the stages.
They don’t know what’s coming next.
And that uncertainty creates stress, bad decisions, and unnecessary legal costs.

0:00 - Introduction
0:55 - Mediation requirement (Section 60I Certificate)
1:43 - Step 1: Filing the Initiating Application
2:14 - Affidavit and other supporting documents
3:36 - Initial legal costs
4:26 - Serving the documents
5:19 - Respondent's response
6:08 - Step 2: The First Court Date
7:46 - Interim orders and hearings
8:44 - Step 3: Dispute Resolution/Mediation
10:22 - Step 4: Final Hearing preparation
11:15 - Potential legal fees after one year
12:24 - The Final Hearing process
13:31 - Reserved judgment timeline

CRITICAL: Understand This Before Family Court (Australia Guide)

Don’t Hire a Family Lawyer Until You Watch This

Going through a high conflict divorce with a narcissist? You’ve probably seen these all too familiar patterns. I’m Hayder Shkara, Australian family lawyer, and in this video I break down what I call the Narcissist Playbook in Divorce - the predictable tactics narcissists use to manipulate, control, and exhaust their former partners.

I’ll show you how to recognise things like charm offensives, gaslighting, delays, smear campaigns and using children as leverage, and I’ll share practical ways to respond effectively using evidence, structure and the Biff communication method, (Brief, Informative, Friendly and Firm).

If you’re dealing with divorce, property disputes or parenting challenges, this video will help you stay focused on outcomes, protect your children, your finances and your wellbeing, and avoid getting dragged into emotional games.

Topics we cover:
Charm offensive and fake calm persona
Gaslighting and rewriting reality
Delay and exhaust tactics
Smear campaigns and using the court for control
Fog of information and the DAVO strategy
Keeping children out of conflict

📌 Comment below: Which tactic are you facing most? Smear campaigns, delays or refusal to disclose financials? I may cover it in a follow up video.

Divorcing a Narcissist? Watch for These 8 Tactics

Domestic and family violence in Australia doesn’t always look the way people expect.

It doesn’t always involve sirens, shouting, or visible injuries.

In this video, I break down what domestic and family violence really looks like, how common it is, why leaving is one of the most dangerous moments, and where Australia’s systems succeed, and fail, in keeping people safe.

Using national data, real cases, and recent legal reforms, this video explores:
• The true scale of domestic and family violence in Australia
• Why emotional abuse and economic abuse are so common — and so damaging
• What coercive control actually means in practice
• How technology is being used as a tool of surveillance and control
• Why separation increases risk, rather than ending it
• The connection between domestic violence, homelessness, and financial insecurity
• What recent cases like Molly Ticehurst, Hannah Clarke, Lilie James, and Luke Batty reveal about systemic gaps
• Australia’s current reforms, including coercive control laws and family law changes
• The tension between legal intention and real-world outcomes

This isn’t a video about individual “bad relationships.”
It’s about patterns, power, and systems — and what happens when support exists on paper but doesn’t arrive in time.

⚠️ Content warning: This video discusses domestic and family violence, coercive control, and homicide. Viewer discretion advised.

Domestic Violence in Australia: What It Really Looks Like And Why the System Still Fails

You don’t get a clean break when you share children.

You sign the divorce papers, the lawyers step back… and then you realise the hardest part is still ahead: co-parenting with someone you’re in constant conflict with.

In this video, I break down how to co-parent in high-conflict situations without burning yourself out or pulling your kids into the middle.
This isn’t about “fixing” your ex — because you can’t.
It’s about building systems that reduce conflict, protect your kids, and restore some calm to your life.

I cover practical, real-world strategies including:

- When to shift from co-parenting to parallel parenting
- How to communicate without feeding conflict (the BIFF method)
- Why less contact can actually mean more stability for children
- How to create parenting plans that stop chaos before it starts
- What communication channels work best in high-conflict dynamics
- Why “winning” arguments can cost you peace

0:00 Introduction
1:01 What is high-conflict co-parenting?
2:29 Strategy #1: Shift from co-parenting to parallel parenting
4:01 Strategy #2: Using consistent communication strategies
5:31 Strategy #3: Choose your communication channel wisely
6:46 Strategy #4: Create a specific parenting plan
7:44 Strategy #5: Stop trying to win and start trying to create stability
8:34 Strategy #6: Keep the kids out of the middle
9:23 Strategy #7: Expect the manipulation and plan for it
10:42 Strategy #8: Introducing a new partner
11:23 Final advice and conclusion

Co-Parenting With a Difficult Ex: Strategies That Actually Work

How do Australian courts really decide parenting cases?

If you think it comes down to who is the “better parent” or whether parenting will be 50/50, you’re not alone.

But that’s not how the Family Court actually works.

In this video, I break down how judges make parenting decisions in Australia, what the court really focuses on, and the biggest myths that cause parents to misunderstand their own cases.

- What the “best interests of the child” actually means in practice
- Why parenting cases are not about punishing parents
- The key factors judges look at when making parenting orders
- Common mistakes I see parents make in real cases
- How the court balances safety, stability, and meaningful relationships

I also share real-world insights from my experience as an Australian family lawyer, so you can understand what happens behind closed doors in parenting decisions.

0:00 Introduction
0:41 Family Court isn't trying to punish anyone
1:06 What is the best interest of the child?
1:43 Consistency is key
2:21 6 key factors courts consider in child cases
6:06 Family court decisions are often imperfect
6:42 Preparation is key
7:01 Why parents leave the court room unhappy?

How Australian Courts REALLY Decide Parenting Cases

How long does divorce actually take in Australia?

Most people think divorce starts when paperwork is filed but in reality, preparation begins months earlier. In this video, I explain why January is so busy for separations, and what people should understand before taking legal steps.

This video covers:
• How long divorce preparation really takes
• Why January is peak divorce season in Australia
• What slows divorce down: children, finances, and conflict
• Why early legal advice matters even if you’re unsure
• Common mistakes people make when they rush separation

Rushing Divorce Is a Mistake - Here’s How Long It Really Takes

💬 Let’s talk about what really happens when couples separate.
It’s not always just about who gets the house or the car what about the credit cards, loans, and tax debts? Who’s actually responsible for paying them?

In this episode, Harpreet Bawa, one of Sydney’s leading family lawyers from Justice Family Law Network, breaks down how property settlements and debts are handled under Australia’s Family Law Act.

We cover:
💡 How assets and liabilities are divided
💡 What’s included in the “property pool”
💡 How the May 2025 amendments to the Act have clarified shared debts and financial responsibilities after separation

Harpreet also clears up a common misconception that you’re safe from your partner’s debts just because the credit card isn’t in your name (spoiler: not always true!).

🎧 Watch the full episode to learn how to navigate property settlements, understand your legal rights, and make informed financial decisions after separation.

#FamilyLaw #HarpreetBawa #PropertySettlement #DivorceAustralia #JusticeFamilyLaw #LegalPodcast

Dividing Assets and Debts After Separation: What the Family Law Act Really Says

What Happened to Shared Parental Responsibility? The 2024 Changes Explained

For almost 20 years, separated parents in Australia were told the law started from a presumption of “equal shared parental responsibility”. That changed on 6 May 2024. The…

November 3, 2026

Child Custody Schedules by Age: A Guide for Australian Parents

If you’ve recently separated, one of the first questions is usually a practical one: how will the children’s time be shared? Australian law doesn’t set a timetable for…

October 29, 2026

How Long Does a Divorce Take in Australia? Timeline and Steps

A divorce in Australia usually takes about 14 to 17 months from the day you separate. First, you must be separated for 12 months before you can apply…

October 21, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer?

Strictly speaking you do not “need” a lawyer. It is a fundamental principle that you have a right to represent yourself in court proceedings and draft your own legal documents. However, that said, it is always highly recommended that you obtain legal advice to ensure that you do not take any actions that negatively affect your rights. As the saying goes, prevention is better than the cure.

How much does a divorce cost in Queensland?

If you and your former partner apply for a divorce yourselves, the main cost is the court filing fee, which is currently over $1,000. A reduced fee is available if you hold certain concession cards or are in financial hardship. If you’d like us to prepare and file it for you, we’ll tell you the cost upfront.

Property settlement and parenting arrangements are separate from the divorce and usually cost more, depending on how much you and your former partner can agree on. In your free 15-minute action plan call, we’ll give you an estimate for your situation.

How long does a property settlement take?

If you and your former partner agree, a property settlement can often be finalised with consent orders within a few months. If you can’t agree and it goes to court, it commonly takes one to two years or more.

There are time limits. Married couples generally have 12 months from the date their divorce becomes final, and de facto couples two years from separation, to start court proceedings. It’s worth getting advice early.

What happens in the free 15-minute action plan call?

It’s a short call, by phone or video, with one of our family lawyers. We listen to what’s happening, and you come away knowing where you stand, your options, what to do first and an estimate of the likely costs. There’s no cost and no obligation to go further.

Do I have to go to court?

Most family law matters are resolved without a final court hearing. Before applying for parenting orders, you generally need to try family dispute resolution (mediation) and get a section 60I certificate, unless an exception applies, such as family violence or urgency. Property matters also have pre-action steps, including exchanging financial information and trying to negotiate.

An agreement can be made legally binding through consent orders without either of you going to court. Court is usually the last resort, and we’ll tell you if your matter needs it.

Do you help clients outside North Lakes?

ABA Lawyers is based in North Lakes and works with clients across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas of Queensland. Many clients meet with us by phone or video, so you don’t need to travel. We are also part of the Justice Network, a group of affiliated family law firms across Australia. If you’re located outside Queensland, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

To speak with our North Lakes team, call 07 3352 7666.

Ready to Speak With a Family Lawyer?

If you need guidance on a family law matter, speaking with an experienced lawyer can help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.

The team at ABA Lawyers provides practical, straightforward advice tailored to your situation, whether you are dealing with separation, parenting arrangements, property division, or other family law issues.

ABA Lawyers is a proud partner of Friends with Dignity, supporting adults and children escaping domestic violence. As part of the Justice Network, we're helping raise funds and awareness for this vital cause.