Blog
Category: Parenting Matters
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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The rights of non-biological parents after separation
Dynamic family situations are difficult, highly emotive and can be stressful. Many children are now part of blended families and cared for by non-biological parents. This changing state of the family unit reinforces the importance of understanding the rights of non-biological parents in family law proceedings.
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Children’s Passports in Family Court Matters
Immediately following separation, there may be uncertainty as to parenting arrangements for you and your children. During this time, it is important to turn your mind to important documentation in respect of your child, such as their passport.
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Parenting arrangements over the Christmas holiday period
If you have not reached agreement and arrangements for spending time with your children for any upcoming Christmas holiday period, you need to act quickly. The Family Court sets a deadline of 4.00 pm on the second Friday of November each year for applications to be filed for parenting matters regarding the Christmas holiday period to be filed.
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Difference between parenting orders and parenting plans
When working through and deciding arrangements for children, separated parents have the option of informal arrangements by way of a parenting plan or formalising arrangements by way of parenting orders from the Family Court.
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Supervised time with children after separation
For certain separated families, it is appropriate for the time one parent spends with the children to be supervised by a third party. There are many reasons why supervised time is either requested by one parent, offered by one parent or ordered by the Court.
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