Parenting Arrangements Lawyers Rockhampton

PARENTING ARRANGEMENTS

CHILDREN & PARENTING MATTERS

The Family Law Act provisions relating to what used to be referred to as “child custody” arrangements have changed many times over the years. The most significant changes include the introduction of the “shared parenting” legislation in 2006 and the amendments involving “family violence” in 2012.  These changes focus on the rights of the child and the responsibilities of parents, which led to changes in terminology to remove “residence”,  “contact” and “custody” and introduce “lives with” and “spends time with”.

Every family is different and the circumstances of each situation must be looked at carefully. Our Rockhampton family lawyers can help you understand the proper considerations to be taken into account when determining what parenting arrangements are in the best interests of your children. We can guide you through, for example:

• What parental responsibility is and whether equal shared parental responsibility applies to your family situation.
• The wide range of considerations the Court takes into account (“equal time”, “substantial and significant time” and “domestic violence” form part of these considerations);
• Reaching agreement without going to Court and how to properly document that agreement to best protect you and avoid further disputes in the future.
• We will explain the important legal differences between a Parenting Plan and Consent Order, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• The circumstances in which a child’s wishes may be taken into account and what weight is given to these wishes.
• Changes in circumstances that may warrant a reopening of your existing parenting Orders.

WE CAN ALSO HELP WITH:

• Separation and Divorce
• Property Settlements for both married and de facto couples
• Property disputes involving parents and adult children
• Spouse maintenance
• Financial agreements (pre-nups)
• Child support and Adult Child Maintenance
• Personal protection issues involving domestic violence
• Mediation
• Surrogacy agreements