Free Checklist
Essential checklist for wills, powers of attorney, and estate planning documents every Queenslander needs to protect their legacy and loved ones.
Proper estate planning protects your family, ensures your wishes are respected, and prevents costly disputes after you’re gone. Use this comprehensive checklist to ensure you have all essential documents and protections in place.
Important: Cost Ranges Are General Estimates Only
The costs outlined in this guide are general estimates based on typical Queensland family law matters as of 2026. Your actual costs depend on:
- Complexity of your assets, debts, and family situation
- Whether agreement is reached or court proceedings required
- How much work your matter requires (contested vs uncontested)
- Your lawyer’s fee structure (fixed fee, hourly rate, or hybrid)
Court fees are set by government and change periodically. Always obtain a personalised written cost estimate from your lawyer before engaging their services. This guide is for planning purposes only.
1
Divorce Application Costs
Court Filing Fee
Standard Fee:
~$990
Standard Fee:
~$330
Legal Fees (Optional)
DIY Application:
~$0
File yourself online
Lawyer-Prepared:
$800-$1,500
Total divorce cost if filing yourself: Court fee only ($990 or $330 with concession)
Total if lawyer prepares application: $1,800 – $2,500 (court fee + legal fees)
Note: Many people file their own divorce application (fairly simple) but engage a lawyer for property settlement and parenting matters, which are significantly more complex and where mistakes are costly.
Court Filing Fee
Standard Fee:
~$990
Standard Fee:
~$330
Legal Fees (Optional)
DIY Application:
~$0
File yourself online
Lawyer-Prepared:
$800-$1,500
2
Property Settlement Costs
Best Value
Simple Negotiated Settlement (Consent Orders)
When you’ve already agreed on division — just need it formalised
Legal Fees:
$2,500 – $5,000
Includes:
- Preparing consent orders and application
- Financial statements and affidavits
- Court filing and processing
- Court approval (4-8 weeks typically)
Timeline: 4-8 weeks total
Best for: Cooperative couples who’ve agreed on division
Mediated Settlement
When negotiation needed but agreement reached through family dispute resolution
Legal Fees:
$5,000 – $10,000
Includes:
- Legal advice and representation
- Financial disclosure preparation
- Mediation attendance and support
- Consent order preparation if agreement reached
- Court filing and approval
Timeline: 3-6 months
Mediator fees: Typically $150-$250/hour (split between parties)
Best for: Willing to negotiate but need third-party facilitation
Contested Court Proceedings
When agreement impossible and Family Court must decide
Legal Fees:
$15,000 – $50,000+
Complex estates or lengthy proceedings can exceed $100,000
Includes:
- Applications, responses, affidavits (multiple rounds)
- Financial disclosure and document subpoenas
- Expert valuations (property, business, super)
- Multiple court appearances and case management hearings
- Final hearing preparation and attendance
- Potential appeal costs
Timeline: 12-24+ months (some cases take years)
Emotional cost: Extremely high stress on entire family
Our advice: Avoid court proceedings if humanly possible— negotiate or mediate instead
3
Parenting Arrangements Costs
Parenting Plan (Informal Agreement)
$0 – $500
Create yourselves (free) or have lawyer document your agreement ($300-$500). Not legally binding but helpful to clarify arrangements. Can convert to consent orders later if working well.
Consent Orders (Agreed Parenting Orders)
$2,000 – $4,000
Includes: Drafting consent orders, affidavits, court filing, approval process.
Legally binding and enforceable. Timeline: 6-12 weeks. Best value for agreed arrangements.
Mediated Parenting Orders
$4,000 – $8,000
Includes: Legal advice, mediation attendance, consent order preparation if agreement reached.
Mediation fees typically $150-$250/hour (split between parties). Timeline: 2-4 months.
AVOID
Mediated Parenting Orders
$4,000 – $8,000
Includes: Legal advice, mediation attendance, consent order preparation if agreement reached.
Mediation fees typically $150-$250/hour (split between parties). Timeline: 2-4 months.
4
Wills & Estate Planning Costs
Parenting Plan (Informal Agreement)
$0 – $500
Create yourselves (free) or have lawyer document your agreement ($300-$500). Not legally binding but helpful to clarify arrangements. Can convert to consent orders later if working well.
Parenting Plan (Informal Agreement)
$0 – $500
Create yourselves (free) or have lawyer document your agreement ($300-$500). Not legally binding but helpful to clarify arrangements. Can convert to consent orders later if working well.
Complex Will with Testamentary Trust
$1,200 – $3,000+
Includes testamentary trusts to protect inheritances for children, blended family provisions, business succession clauses, tax minimisation strategies.
Enduring Power of Attorney (Each)
$200 – $400
Financial EPOA and Personal/Health EPOA typically prepared together. Often bundled with will for package pricing ($100-$150 off combined).
⭐ Recommended
Complete Estate Planning Package
$800 – $1,500
Will + Financial POA + Personal/Health POA bundled. Better value than purchasing separately. Comprehensive protection recommended for everyone over 18.
5
Probate & Estate Administration
robate Application Only
$2,500 – $5,000
Includes: Preparing probate application, affidavits, asset valuations, Supreme Court filing.
Court fees additional — based on estate value (government sliding scale)
Full Estate Administration
3-5% of estate
OR hourly rate ($250-$400/hour) depending on lawyer.
Includes: Probate, collecting assets, paying debts, estate accounts, tax returns, distribution to beneficiaries, finalising estate
Cost Comparison: The Value of Negotiation
Negotiated Settlement
Total Legal Costs:
$5-10k
Timeline:
3-6 months
Stress Level:
Medium
VS
Court Proceedings
Total Legal Costs:
$20-50k+$5-10k
Timeline:
12-24+ months
Stress Level:
Extreme
Negotiated Settlement
$15,000 - $40,000+
Plus significantly less emotional stress, faster resolution, and better co-parenting relationship preservation
What Affects Your Legal Costs?
✅ Factors That REDUCE Costs
- Agreement reached early (before positions harden)
- Simple asset pool (one house, standard super, no business)
- Both parties cooperative and communicative
- Complete financial disclosure provided promptly
- Successful mediation (saves $10k-$30k vs court)
- Clear communication with your lawyer (respond quickly)
- Realistic expectations about outcomes
- Willingness to compromise on minor issues
- Using email for non-urgent matters (cheaper than phone calls)
- Being organised with documents and information
⚠️ Factors That INCREASE Costs
- High conflict between parties (every communication through lawyers)
- Complex assets (businesses, trusts, multiple properties, overseas holdings)
- Hidden assets requiring forensic investigation
- Multiple court appearances (interim hearings, case management)
- Expert valuations needed (business, defined benefit super)
- Unrealistic demands or ‘winning at all costs’ mentality
- Poor communication or delays in responding
- Changing lawyers mid-matter (new lawyer must learn case)
- Appeals or post-order variation applications
- Using lawyers to send emotional/retaliatory messages
10 Proven Ways to Minimise Your Legal Costs
- Negotiate in good faith — Focus on fair outcomes, not winning. Every unreasonable demand extends negotiations and increases costs.
- Attend mediation seriously — Successful mediation saves $10,000-$30,000+ compared to court. Prepare properly and compromise where reasonable.
- Provide documents promptly — Delays cost money. When your lawyer requests documents, provide them within days, not weeks.
- Communicate directly when safe — Don’t use lawyers for every message (adds billable hours). Email/text directly about routine matters.
- Be organised and prepared — Have documents ready when lawyer needs them. Disorganised clients cost themselves thousands in extra legal time.
- Respond to requests quickly — Every time your lawyer has to chase you for information, you’re being billed. Respond same-day when possible.
- Choose your battles wisely — Not everything is worth fighting over. Spending $2,000 to argue about a $500 item makes no sense.
- Ask for fixed fees where available — Many lawyers offer fixed-fee pricing for standard matters (simple divorce, consent orders, wills). Eliminates hourly billing uncertainty.
- Use email for non-urgent matters — Phone calls often cost more per minute than emails. Save calls for urgent or complex discussions.
- Get legal advice early — Counterintuitive, but early advice prevents costly mistakes. Spending $500 on initial consultation can save $10,000+ fixing problems later.
10 Proven Ways to Minimise Your Legal Costs
Fixed Fee Arrangements
Many family lawyers offer fixed fees for standard services (simple divorce, consent orders, will preparation). Ask whether your matter qualifies for fixed-fee pricing to avoid hourly billing uncertainty. Provides cost certainty and budget predictability.
Cost Recovery Through Property Settlement
In property settlement matters, your legal costs can sometimes be offset against your property entitlement or ‘added back’ to the pool and paid from joint assets. Discuss with your lawyer whether this approach is appropriate for your circumstances.
Legal Aid Queensland
If you meet income/asset tests AND your matter involves family violence or child protection, you may qualify for Legal Aid funding. Check eligibility: legalaid.qld.gov.au or call 1300 65 11 88. Not available for straightforward property settlement.
Payment Plans
Some lawyers offer payment plans for legal fees, spreading costs over several months. Discuss affordability concerns upfront — many firms willing to work with clients on reasonable payment arrangements rather than lose the work entirely.
Cost Disclaimer: All costs in this guide are general estimates based on typical Queensland family law matters as of 2026. Actual costs vary significantly based on matter complexity, level of cooperation between parties, your lawyer’s fee structure, and time required to resolve your specific matter. Court fees are set by government and subject to change without notice. Some matters cost significantly more than ranges shown; others may cost less. Always obtain a detailed written cost agreement from your lawyer before engaging their services specifying fees, billing arrangements, and estimated total costs. This guide is for general information and budgeting purposes only and does not constitute a quote or cost estimate for your specific legal matter.
Speak With A Family Lawyer Sunshine Coast
If you are looking for compassionate and practical family law guidance on the Sunshine Coast, Clear Path Family Law is here to help.
We understand that taking the first step can feel difficult, which is why we focus on creating a supportive and welcoming environment for every client.