Blog
Category: Parenting Matters
Parental alienation and family law in Australia
Unfortunately, after parents separate, sometimes children are exposed to their parents’ conflict. Whilst most children will maintain good and positive relationships with both parents, a percentage may become estranged from one parent. In extreme cases, a parent might attempt to form a wedge in the relationship between their child and the other parent. This is known as ‘parental alienation’.
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What is child inclusive family dispute resolution?
Child-inclusive Family Dispute Resolution is a tailored form of mediation used in family law parenting disputes. Child-inclusive FDR aims to find the child’s voice through a process of developmental consultation and therapeutic conversation with a person called a “child consultant”.
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Family law disputes involving religion
It is unsurprising that some separating parents may have different approaches to their child’s religious upbringing. So, what happens if a dispute arises over what religion to raise your children in following separation?
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Top 6 co-parenting apps after separation or divorce
Co-parenting after separation is often laden with emotion because, after all, you are trying to figure out what’s best for your children. The good news is that there are lots of options out there to help relieve some of that co-parenting stress and conflict, including a number of apps.
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The Hague Convention and child abduction
The Hague Convention sets out the process for seeking the return of abducted children to their home country. It is an important consideration for parents who have separated or divorced and considering travelling overseas with their children.
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6 tips for successful co-parenting during school holidays
After separation or divorce, parents will often live in separate households. Separated parents don’t have to be friends, but they do have to make suitable arrangements for co-parenting any children of the relationship. This can often pose challenges around special occasions, like school holidays, festive holiday periods, Mother’s/Father’s Day and children’s birthdays.
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Single Expert Witnesses in parenting matters
In complex parenting cases, often where there are significant issues in dispute or risk factors which need to be addressed, the Family Court may require the professional opinion of an expert to give their evidence in the form of a report. That person is called a Single Expert Witness.
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Interim hearings and interim orders in family law matters
When families are involved in Court proceedings, the Court may make interim orders. Interim orders are usually made when there is an urgent issue to be dealt with or for temporary matters.
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Are verbal agreements binding in family law matters?
At the time of separation, parties can often “reach agreement” verbally on a number of family law issues. But what if one party changes their mind as time passes? Is that original verbal agreement binding or should it be formalised?
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International travel with children from separated families
Many families look to explore international travel to allow their children to soak up the various cultures, experiences and opportunities that come with purchasing a plane ticket. While travel comes with many benefits, the travelling experience may pose difficulty for some separated parents, most importantly obtaining consent from the non-travelling parent.
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School arrangements for children of separated and divorced parents
This blog looks at some critical areas of family law that may assist separated families to manage the emotions of children starting school or going back to school after the holidays.
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What does best interests of the child mean in family law?
The phrase “best interests of the child” is commonly used in family law proceedings involving children. It conveys a level of ambiguity, and where families are on a path of litigation and asking the Court to decide, the Court then has judicial discretion to determine what is in the best interests for each child.
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