Parenting issues can be one of the most stressful aspects of family law. Negotiating arrangements for your children can be a daunting task. We understand this and are here to provide you with the right support and advice that best suits your needs.
In some cases, separated couples can come to an agreement on how to divide their children’s time. However, when a formal framework is required to ensure compliance from both parents, Parenting Orders can be a helpful solution. These are formal records of the terms of a parenting agreement reached between parents.
Parenting plans are a more informal way of formalizing a parenting agreement. They are flexible, but unlike Parenting Orders, they are not legally enforceable. Family dispute resolution is a compulsory process in most situations that helps parents to resolve disputes outside of the court system with the help of a neutral third party. There are many advantages to using family dispute resolution, including its impartial, informal, and inexpensive nature. However, it’s important to note that any agreement reached will not be legally binding unless the parties engage in consent orders or a financial agreement.
The court recognizes the importance of grandparents in the lives of children. Therefore, they are welcome to make an Application to the Court for Parenting Orders. Additionally, child support is another process by which a parent or non-parent carer can apply for an administrative assessment of child support to be paid by a parent for a child. The amount payable is based on the actual costs of the children, the capacity of both parents to meet such costs, and the time the parents have with the child.