Helping you navigate Child Custody and Parenting Arrangements.

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Parenting Plans & Custody

At Wonderley & Hall, we understand that child custody and parenting arrangements can be the most challenging aspect of a divorce or separation. It is essential to have a clear understanding of your legal rights before discussing custody to help you negotiate the best possible outcome. If an agreement cannot be reached, we will guide you through the complexities of the court system to get formal parenting orders in place.


We will liaise with experts such as family report writers and psychologists as well as schools and other relevant parties to help ensure that your children are safe and protected while a parenting plan is being negotiated or while your matter is before the Court.   

 

Having a formal parenting plan in place provides stability and certainty for the children and helps both parents understand their obligations as co-parents. We will assist you in negotiating the terms of the parenting plan or consent orders and ensure they comply with Australian family law.

Frequently Asked Questions


Formalising your Parenting Plan arrangements can bring peace of mind. Here are some frequently asked questions our clients ask us about Parenting Plans and Custody:

  • Do I need a formal custody agreement if we both agree on the custody split?

    No. If both parents agree on how custody should be split, then an informal agreement is often sufficient. Sometimes, however, informal agreements about the time that children are going to spend with each parent are limited in detail and provide no assistance in case of confusion or if something goes wrong. We recommend seeking advice from an experienced family lawyer about whether your parenting arrangements ought to be made into an agreement, and if so, what kind of agreement to use.

  • What is the difference between a parenting plan and consent orders?

    A parenting plan is a written record of the custody agreement between the parents, documenting the terms you have agreed. It can be changed at any time by agreement between the parents by way of a new parenting plan and is not legally enforceable but if parents who have a parenting plan ever go to Court, the Court usually looks at the parenting plan. Consent orders also set out the custody agreement between the parents but must be in a specific format and approved by the Court. Consent orders are legally binding on both parties, with consequences for non-compliance which is why many parents prefer to have their custody arrangements formalised through consent orders.

  • What sort of things should go in a parenting plan or consent order?

    In addition to the basics of how the child's time will be split between the parents, you should consider things like where the child will go to school, religious instruction and/or attendance of services, how changeover will be handled and who will take the children to their different extra-curricular activities.

  • What if we can’t agree on custody arrangements?

    In some cases, parents may not agree, or one parent may have unreasonable expectations. In these situations, one or both parents can apply to the court to have the decision made for them. Going to court can be a long and costly process but having an experienced family lawyer on your side can help ensure the best possible outcome for your family.

  • Do I have to go to mediation?

    If both parents can agree on the custody arrangements, mediation is not necessary. However, if you cannot agree on parenting matters such as the time the children are to spend with each parent, which schools they are to attend, or medical treatment, then the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia requires that you attend mediation before being able to apply to the Court for orders to be made. In cases where domestic or family violence is a factor or a person is unable to participate effectively, mediation may not be required.

  • My child doesn’t want to spend time with their other parent. Do I have to send them?

    Yes. Children do not have a right to determine where they live, who they spend time with, etc. Their parents are responsible for making that decision for them, although children may have certain views and wishes that might be given weight depending on a child’s maturity or level of understanding. Encouraging the child to spend time with their other parent is essential unless doing so is a risk to the child. Speak positively of their time with the other parent and avoid speaking poorly of the other parent where the child can hear. If there is a court order in place requiring the child to spend time with the other parent, contact your family lawyer as soon as possible after the child refuses to spend time with them.

  • Will the Court listen to what my child wants?

    The court may take a child's wishes into account when making orders regarding custody but this is only one factor among many and may not influence the court’s final decision. Factors such as the age of the child, their maturity and their level of understanding will influence how much weight the Court places on the child’s view.

  • Can my child make their own decision as to where they want to live once they reach a certain age?

    There is no particular age where a child can make a binding decision about where they are going to live. In Australia, the decision about where a child will live is usually made by agreement between parents, but if the parents cannot agree and one of them applies to have the decision made by the Court, the decision will be made in that way. When the Court makes a decision about where a child will live, they have to consider the child’s best interests as the top priority. If a child has expressed views about where they would like to live, that is a relevant factor for the Court to consider in making a decision. This may be an important factor in some cases, but it is only one factor amongst many others.

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To talk to a lawyer today, call us on 07 4638 1133

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