Nobody plans for a separation, and when it happens it can feel like your whole life is up in the air at once. You might be worried about the children, about the house or the farm, or about how you'll manage on your own. Those worries are real, and you deserve someone who takes them seriously. I'm Elisa Rothschild, a family lawyer since 2012, practising from St Kilda in Melbourne. Being admitted in Victoria and to the High Court of Australia allows me to act in family law matters anywhere in Australia, and I work with people in Launceston and across the north — the Tamar Valley, Legana, Kings Meadows, Newnham, Longford, Deloraine and beyond — by video, phone and email. I handle every matter myself and take the time to explain each step.
Family law in northern Tasmania
Family law is federal: the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) applies in Launceston exactly as it does in Melbourne, and it covers de facto couples as well as married couples. Divorce applications and consent orders are filed online with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, which has a registry in Launceston as well as Hobart. If a hearing is ever needed, I appear by video link where the court permits, or in person where the matter requires it.
Working by video means you don't need to take a day off or drive into town for appointments. We can talk at a time that suits you, and documents can be signed and witnessed locally.
Farms, family businesses and land
Around Launceston, plenty of families have farmland, a vineyard, a small business or property that has been in the family for generations. These can be the hardest assets to deal with in a separation, because they're often a livelihood and a home at once, and sometimes involve parents or siblings too. I'll help you understand how the law treats them, including contributions made before and during the relationship, gifts and inheritances, and how a fair outcome might be reached without breaking up something that took decades to build.
Where you can agree, consent orders make the division final. My fixed fee for Launceston clients is $990 for property only or parenting only, and $1,490 for both, plus the $205 court fee. If the matter is more involved, I'll be upfront about that and confirm the fee in writing before I start.
Protecting what you bring to a relationship
If you're entering a relationship or marriage with a farm, business or significant family assets, a Binding Financial Agreement can set out in advance how things would be divided if the relationship ended. It's a private contract under the Family Law Act, and each of you must get independent legal advice, so I act for one of you only. For Tasmanian clients a straightforward BFA starts from $1,490, and complex agreements range from $2,990 to $4,950.
A well-made BFA depends on full disclosure, enough time to consider it, and careful drafting. I'll make sure you understand exactly what you're signing and why.
Divorce, time limits and lower fees for Tasmanian clients
You can apply for divorce once you've been separated for 12 months, jointly or on your own. The court fee is $1,125, or $375 at the concession rate. My fixed fee for Launceston clients is $750 for a joint application and $990 for a sole one. Married couples generally have 12 months after the divorce takes effect to apply for property orders, and de facto couples generally two years from separation.
My fees for Tasmanian clients are lower than my Victorian fees, because I don't want cost to stand between you and good advice. Your fee is confirmed in writing after our free 30-minute consultation. If you're concerned for your safety, call 000 in an emergency or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). Family violence orders are made by the Magistrates Court of Tasmania, and I can help you understand how one fits alongside your family law matter.
Frequently asked questions — family law in Launceston
How is a farm divided in a property settlement?+
There's no automatic split. The court looks at the whole asset pool, each person's contributions — including those made before the relationship and through work on the farm or caring for the family — and each person's future needs. Often the farm stays with one person and the other receives a share by other means. I'll explain how that might apply to you.
Does an inheritance count as property in a separation?+
It can be included in the property pool, but where it came from, and when, is relevant to how it's treated. An inheritance received before or after the relationship may be treated differently from one used for the family during it.
Is there a family court in Launceston?+
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has a registry in Launceston. Most agreed matters, such as divorce and consent orders, are filed online and decided on the papers, so you may never need to attend.
What are your fees for Launceston clients?+
Divorce is $750 for a joint application or $990 for a sole one; consent orders are $990 for property only or parenting only, or $1,490 for both; BFAs start from $1,490. Court fees are extra. These are lower than my Victorian fees and are confirmed in writing before any work starts.
What happens in the free 30-minute consultation?+
We talk about your situation and what matters most to you. I'll explain your options and the likely next steps in plain English, and give you an honest idea of cost. It's by video or phone, confidential, and there's no obligation.
Family law help for Launceston, whatever you're facing
Whatever stage you're at, you don't have to work it out on your own. Here's how I help Launceston families — calmly, honestly, and always on your side.
Divorce lawyer in Launceston
From the divorce application itself through to dividing property and sorting arrangements for the children — handled one calm step at a time, in plain English. See how I help with divorce →
Child custody & parenting lawyer in Launceston
Where the children live, time with each parent, and how the big decisions get made — always guided by what's genuinely best for them, never point-scoring. Parenting & children's issues →
Property settlement lawyer in Launceston
Dividing the home, superannuation, savings and debts fairly, with as little conflict as possible. How property settlement works → · What a family lawyer costs →
Reviewed by Elisa Rothschild BA/LLB — Principal Lawyer, Fogarty Oliver Rothschild. Last reviewed 2026-05-28.