Blog
Category: Children and Parenting
What does “best interests of the child” mean in family law?
Where parents cannot agree to parenting arrangements outside of Court, they can make an application to the Court to make a decision. The Court is only able to make orders that are in the “best interests of the children”.
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Can parenting orders be changed?
Parenting orders are orders of the court that provide for parenting arrangements, and as such, they are legally binding. Parenting orders can only be changed in very specific circumstances.
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National Contravention List to enforce Family Court Orders
If someone intentionally fails to comply with Family Court Parenting Orders or Financial Orders, or makes no reasonable attempt to comply, the other party may make an application seeking to deal with the non-compliance. This is called a contravention application.
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What is a Child Impact Report?
The Family Court often requires information about your child and may order the preparation of certain reports. One of these reports is known as a Child Impact Report.
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Drugs and alcohol in family law parenting matters
The misuse of drugs and/or alcohol and the existence of family violence can have a significant impact on parenting proceedings. It’s crucial that your case is being managed properly and any risk to the children is appropriately addressed.
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Parenting plans vs parenting orders
Generally speaking, parenting plans are entered into in a less formal way and are cheaper than parenting orders. They are not, however, legally enforceable.
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What to expect at your first appointment with a family lawyer
Your initial appointment with a family lawyer is your opportunity to tell us about your situation and share with us any concerns you may have.
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Does child support cover extra-curricular activities?
We explore how extra-curricular activities impact the amount of child support you may be obliged to pay or may be entitled to receive.
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Parenting coordination in family law matters
Parenting coordination is a collaborative dispute resolution process in which parents engage the assistance of a ‘parenting coordinator’ to assist them in resolving the day-to-day issues that can arise when co-parenting.
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Parental alienation and family law
While many children with separated parents maintain good and positive relationships with both parents, some can become resistant or estranged from one parent. In extreme cases, this can be referred to as ‘parental alienation’.
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Are the views of the child considered in family law?
Generally, the views of the child can be considered in family law matters under certain circumstances. This blog explores in when and how they are given consideration.
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What is parental responsibility?
In family law, parental responsibility means all the duties, powers, and responsibilities parents have in relation to their children. This blog explores the key differences between ‘equal shared parental responsibility' and ‘sole parental responsibility’.
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