Children’s Matters and Parental Rights

The fundamental and overarching principal in parenting disputes is that the best interests of the child are paramount. Parents often have different views when it comes to deciding what is in the best interests of their children and this is why assistance is sought.

The law encourages parents, wherever possible to come to an agreement when making parenting arrangements. This course of action tends to ensure stability for the children and avoids them becoming embroiled in a protracted dispute. At times, these arrangements may be informal or verbal agreements with your former partners, however it is often advisable to have such arrangements recorded in writing and even further, formalised by the Court.

Our team assists separated parents in reaching an agreement on how their children will be cared for following the breakdown of a relationship. Our services in this area include:

• Residential and care arrangements (formerly known as custody and access arrangement).
• Parental responsibility both for day-to-day and long-term parenting decisions.
• Seeking Court assistance in determining appropriate time and parenting arrangements.
• Varying previous entered Court Orders.
• Addressing parenting in the context of family violence and drug dependency issues.

Our practice area also is able to assist persons who have a close relationship with a child only to discover that the child is being withheld from spending time with them after a separation occurs. This includes grandparents and other relatives. Ultimately, grandparents and relatives do have rights to spend time with the child and these people are viewed as important to the child’s emotional welfare.