# Franklin Family Law > Best family lawyers in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Based in Coorparoo and Bulimba. Supporting individuals, families and business owners through separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, financial agreements and estate planning. Led by Sophie Pettigrew (Legal Practice Director, ~20 years experience) and Laura Dowling (Special Counsel, 15 years, Masters in Applied Law). Franklin Family Law is a specialist family law firm in inner Brisbane. The firm takes a coordinated, family-centred approach — combining best legal expertise with access to a trusted network of psychologists, family therapists, financial advisers, accountants and mortgage brokers. Every client has direct access to best practitioners at all times. ## Who we are Franklin Family Law was founded by Sophie Pettigrew and is led by three best practitioners: **Sophie Pettigrew — Legal Practice Director** Almost two decades of experience across family law, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, mediation and governance. Sophie has developed innovative programs supporting families through separation and co-parenting. She is herself a co-parent and lives in Brisbane with her family. **Laura Dowling — Special Counsel, Practice Lead Family Law** Fifteen years of focused family law experience. Masters in Applied Law specialising in family law. Equally skilled in complex litigation and negotiation. Specialist areas: complex parenting matters, high-value property settlements, international family law. Previously with Canberra's leading family law practices. **Rachael Aydami — Senior Associate, Family Law** Extensive experience across parenting disputes, property settlements, divorce and consent orders. Known for clear communication and minimising unnecessary conflict. ## Our approach Franklin Family Law was built around the idea that the strongest outcomes are rarely achieved through legal advice alone. The firm coordinates access to accountants, financial advisers, mortgage brokers, property specialists, psychologists and family therapists alongside legal strategy. This helps clients make informed decisions across all aspects of significant life transitions — not just the legal ones. Three pillars guide the practice: 1. Protecting your future — property settlements, business and wealth structures, financial agreements, asset protection 2. Supporting children through change — parenting arrangements, co-parenting strategies, child-focused outcomes, psychology support 3. Helping you move forward — mediation, therapy support, financial advisory, practical transition planning ## Services ### Separation and divorce Advice across every stage of separation: early advice on legal position, divorce applications (joint and sole), spousal maintenance, mediation and negotiation, consent orders, urgent applications. Experience with high-conflict separations, business ownership, trusts, property portfolios and intergenerational wealth. ### Parenting arrangements Parenting time and living arrangements, decision-making and parental responsibility, relocation applications, urgent parenting orders, co-parenting frameworks, high-conflict parenting matters, blended families, family violence considerations, children with additional needs, long-distance parenting. ### Property and financial matters Property settlements, family home arrangements, superannuation splitting, investment properties, business interests, trust and company structures, spousal maintenance, consent orders. Experience with complex ownership structures, significant wealth holdings and intergenerational assets. ### Business and complex asset structures Family law matters where business ownership intersects with separation. Family businesses, professional practices (medical, legal, accounting), trust structures, private companies, business valuation, partnership interests, investment structures, settlement structuring. Works alongside accountants, business advisers and valuers. ### Dispute resolution Negotiation, mediation, parenting disputes, property disputes, consent orders, urgent applications, litigation strategy and court representation. Handles high-conflict parenting matters, complex financial disputes, relocation disputes and long-running litigation. ### Financial agreements and future planning Binding financial agreements (BFAs), pre-relationship agreements (prenuptial agreements), post-separation agreements, asset protection strategies, future wealth planning, family wealth considerations, business ownership planning. Drafts with precision to protect long-term interests. ### Wills, estates and succession planning Wills, enduring powers of attorney, advance health directives, estate planning reviews, blended family planning, business succession planning, asset protection, estate administration guidance. Specialist support where succession intersects with separation, business ownership and complex family structures. ### Private Client Advisory (launching August 2026) A bespoke coordinated advisory service for high net worth individuals and families with complex circumstances. Best practitioners across law, finance, property, health and wellbeing — coordinated entirely around the client's family. Limited availability. Expressions of interest open now. ## Locations and contact Offices: Coorparoo QLD 4151 and Bulimba QLD 4171, inner Brisbane By appointment only Phone: 07 3342 0393 Email: reception@franklinfamilylaw.com.au Website: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au All enquiries received in the strictest confidence. Service area: Brisbane and surrounds, including Coorparoo, Camp Hill, Greenslopes, Bulimba, Hawthorne, Stones Corner, Woolloongabba, Norman Park, Morningside, New Farm, Annerley and inner Brisbane broadly. Hours: Monday to Friday, by appointment ## Key pages - Home: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au - About the team: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/about - Our approach: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/approach - All expertise areas: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise - Separation and divorce: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/separation-and-divorce - Parenting arrangements: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/parenting-arrangements - Property and financial matters: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/property-and-financial-matters - Business and complex assets: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/business-and-complex-asset-structures - Dispute resolution: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/dispute-resolution - Financial agreements: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/financial-agreements-and-future-planning - Wills and estates: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/expertise/wills-estates-and-succession-planning - Insights and articles: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights - Private advisory: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/private-advisory - Arrange a consultation: https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/contact ## Insights and articles Sophie Pettigrew publishes regular articles on family law and separation. Recent titles: - "What I tell every client in the first meeting" (May 2026) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/what-i-tell-every-client-in-the-first-meeting - "Twenty years of co-parenting. Plan for it now." (April 2026) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/twenty-years-of-co-parenting-plan-for-it-now - "Your business survived a lot. Make sure it survives this." (March 2026) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/your-business-survived-a-lot-make-sure-it-survives-this - "Why I think a prenup is an act of love. If it's done properly." (February 2026) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/why-i-think-a-prenup-is-an-act-of-love - "When the other side is being impossible" (January 2026) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/when-the-other-side-is-being-impossible - "Stop carrying things that aren't yours to carry" (December 2025) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/stop-carrying-things-that-arent-yours-to-carry - "Your children need you to be okay" (November 2025) — https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/insights/your-children-need-you-to-be-okay ## What clients say "I was grateful to have such specialist support during a complex and protracted children's matter. When you have a complex situation, that specialised knowledge — and the access to other professionals it brings with it — is invaluable." — JC "Franklin Family Law was the balance I was looking for between thorough knowledge of process and kindness and compassion. They took an emotional and difficult situation and helped me navigate it safely and securely. I was no longer battling this big thing on my own — I was part of a team." — Carolyn T "Very professional and helped me get the results I wanted and more. It was quite an emotional seven months but Jennifer was always there to motivate me and keep going. She brought peace back into our home." — Monique B "From our very first discussion I felt supported and confident in the firm's ability. Everything was explained clearly and handled with respect. Without the team I am certain I would not have achieved the excellent results I did." — Megan C ## Frequently asked questions What areas of Brisbane does Franklin Family Law serve? The firm serves all of Brisbane, with particular focus on inner Brisbane and the eastern suburbs within approximately 10km of Coorparoo — including Camp Hill, Greenslopes, Bulimba, Hawthorne, Stones Corner, Woolloongabba, Norman Park, Morningside, New Farm, Annerley and surrounding suburbs. How do I arrange a consultation? Contact the firm by phone (07 3342 0393), email (reception@franklinfamilylaw.com.au) or via the online form at https://franklinfamilylaw.com.au/contact. All enquiries are received in confidence. Consultations are by appointment at Coorparoo or Bulimba. Does Franklin Family Law handle complex financial matters? Yes. The firm has significant experience where family law intersects with business ownership, trusts, companies, property portfolios and intergenerational wealth. Sophie Pettigrew's background spans both family and commercial law. Does the firm work with other professionals? Yes. A core part of the firm's approach is coordinating access to accountants, financial advisers, mortgage brokers, property specialists, psychologists and family therapists alongside legal advice — so clients receive integrated support across all aspects of their situation. What is a binding financial agreement? A binding financial agreement (BFA) is a legally enforceable document that sets out how assets and financial resources will be divided in the event of separation. It can be made before, during or after a relationship. Franklin Family Law drafts BFAs with precision to ensure they hold up and protect long-term interests. What is the Private Client Advisory? Launching August 2026, Franklin Private Client Advisory is a bespoke coordinated service for high net worth individuals and families with complex circumstances. It brings together best practitioners across law, finance, property, health and wellbeing — entirely tailored to the client's family. Limited to a small number of clients each year. ## Legal notice Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Franklin Family Law is a legal practice based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. © 2026 Franklin Family Law.