Legal trouble? Talk to a lawyer without the runaround.
Tell us what is happening in plain English. A lawyer from our partner law firm will call you back, usually within one business day.
- Free to make an enquiry
- Plain-English answers
- Australia-wide
- Your details stay private
What’s happening?
I was hurt or injured
- Get medical treatment and keep records of injuries and costs.
- Report it to your employer, police or insurer, as relevant.
- Talk to a lawyer before signing anything from an insurer.
Time limits: Many injury claims must be started within about 3 years, but work injury and motor accident schemes have much shorter notice periods (sometimes weeks or months). The exact limits for your state need to be confirmed. (General guide, to be confirmed by a lawyer.)
Police or a court date
- You can politely decline a police interview until you get advice.
- Keep every paper you were given and note your court date.
- A criminal lawyer can explain the charge and your options.
Time limits: If you have been charged, your court date is the key deadline. Get advice before your first court date.
We are separating
- Think about safety first. If you are in danger, call 000.
- Parenting, property and divorce are separate steps.
- A family lawyer can explain where you stand.
Time limits: Property settlement: generally within 12 months of a divorce becoming final, or within 2 years of a de facto relationship ending (if you have not already agreed).
A will or estate
- Some family members can ask for a fairer share of an estate.
- Strict time limits apply, and they differ by state.
- A lawyer can tell you whether it is worth looking into.
Time limits: Family provision claims have strict time limits that differ between states. The limit for your state needs to be confirmed. (General guide, to be confirmed by a lawyer.)
Buying or selling
- Have the contract checked before you sign or the cooling-off period ends.
- Rules on disclosure differ between states.
- A conveyancing lawyer can guide you to settlement.
Time limits: Cooling-off periods for residential property differ between states, and some states have none. Confirm before you sign. (General guide, to be confirmed by a lawyer.)
A problem at work
- Dismissed? Unfair dismissal applications are generally due within 21 days.
- Keep emails, payslips and notes of what happened.
- An employment lawyer can explain your options.
Time limits: Unfair dismissal: an application to the Fair Work Commission generally must be made within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. Other workplace claims have different limits.
Help for every stage of a legal problem
Choose an area to read the basics, or go straight to an enquiry.
Personal injury
Work injuries, motor accidents, medical treatment and injuries in public places.
Learn more →Criminal & traffic
Charges, court dates, drink and drug driving, and licence problems.
Learn more →Family law
Divorce, property settlement, parenting arrangements and protection orders.
Learn more →Estate disputes
Contesting a will and family provision claims. Time limits apply.
Learn more →Conveyancing
Buying, selling or transferring property, from contract to settlement.
Learn more →Employment law
Unfair dismissal, bullying and underpayment. Some claims have a 21-day limit.
Learn more →Check the basics in under a minute
General information only, not legal advice. A lawyer can confirm what applies to you.
Time limits checker
Some legal problems have strict deadlines. See the general rule for your area and state.
Choose an area and a state to see general time-limit information.
See all general time limits
| Employment · All states | Unfair dismissal: an application to the Fair Work Commission generally must be made within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. Other workplace claims have different limits. |
|---|---|
| Family law · All states | Property settlement: generally within 12 months of a divorce becoming final, or within 2 years of a de facto relationship ending (if you have not already agreed). |
| Family law · Western Australia | Married couples: generally within 12 months of divorce. De facto couples in WA are covered by separate WA laws, so the time limit needs to be confirmed. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Personal injury · All states | Many injury claims must be started within about 3 years, but work injury and motor accident schemes have much shorter notice periods (sometimes weeks or months). The exact limits for your state need to be confirmed. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Estate disputes · All states | Family provision claims have strict time limits that differ between states. The limit for your state needs to be confirmed. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Estate disputes · NSW | Family provision claims: generally within 12 months of the date of death. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Estate disputes · Victoria | Family provision claims: generally within 6 months of the grant of probate. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Estate disputes · Queensland | Family provision claims: notice generally within 6 months of death, and court proceedings within 9 months. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · All states | Cooling-off periods for residential property differ between states, and some states have none. Confirm before you sign. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · NSW | Cooling-off period for residential property: generally 5 business days after exchange. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · Victoria | Cooling-off period: generally 3 business days after signing (some exceptions, such as auctions). (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · Queensland | Cooling-off period for residential property: generally 5 business days. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · South Australia | Cooling-off period: generally 2 clear business days. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · ACT | Cooling-off period for residential property: generally 5 business days. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · Northern Territory | Cooling-off period: generally 4 business days. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · Western Australia | There is generally no automatic cooling-off period for residential property in WA. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Conveyancing · Tasmania | There is generally no automatic cooling-off period for residential property in Tasmania. (to be confirmed by a lawyer) |
| Criminal & traffic · All states | If you have been charged, your court date is the key deadline. Get advice before your first court date. |
General information only, not legal advice. Time limits can depend on your circumstances. Speak to a lawyer as early as you can.
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A lawyer calls you back
Talk through your options, then decide whether you want them to act for you.
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Common questions
Is Legal Service Support a law firm?
No. We are an enquiry service. We pass your enquiry to our partner law firm, and their lawyers decide whether they can help.
Does it cost anything to make an enquiry?
No. Making an enquiry is free. If you decide to work with the law firm, they will explain their costs to you before you agree to anything.
How quickly will someone call me?
Usually within one business day. If you have a court date soon, tell us in the form and we will flag it as urgent.
What if the firm can’t help with my matter?
We will tell you straight away and point you to free services such as Legal Aid and community legal centres in your state.
Is my information kept private?
Yes. We only share your details with our partner law firm so they can contact you. See our privacy policy for more.
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Legal Service Support is an enquiry service, not a law firm, and does not give legal advice.
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