Children
Helping Parents Navigate The Next Steps
On this page you will find information about:
- Parenting Plans
- Consent Orders
- Mediation
Parenting Plans
Working out the arrangements for your children after separation is important. It includes all sorts of things such as where they will live, who they will spend time with and who will pay for them. The law focuses on the rights of children to have a meaningful relationship with both their parents provided that relationship is free from harm. Often parents do not want the formality of binding Orders for their children – rather they want to reflect their agreement for ongoing arrangements through a Parenting Plan.
Whilst this is not a binding document, it is useful to set out what will happen for your children so that everyone knows where they stand, whilst also being flexible enough to amend it if your circumstances change. We can help by drafting your parenting plan all on a fixed fee basis.
Consent Orders
Where you’ve come to an agreement for your children between yourselves, we can document that arrangement into Consent Orders. This is a formal document that is filed with the Federal Circuit and Family Court and once issued, becomes a binding document that both parents must comply with.
Consent Orders give you more certainty and recourse if they are not followed. Of course, we do all this work for a fixed fee, so you can call us to discuss your agreement you have reached with your former partner or even if you would like our assistance to help you get to that point. Sometimes creative thinking is needed and we’re experts in generating solutions that are outside the box.
Mediation
Family Dispute Resolution (or FDR) is mediation specifically designed to assist parents to reach agreement regarding the arrangements for their children following separation. Mediation is the out-of-Court option and we work with a wide range of experienced mediators. We can become involved at any time throughout the process; even at the end when you need your agreement formalised.
Although it is a more expensive and challenging avenue, sometimes Court is necessary. We always work hard to explore all other options for settlement prior to heading to Court, but if it is the best option available we will advocate for you to the best of our ability.
We work collaboratively with other parties to generate real solutions and put your best case forward; all whilst being fixed fee.
Your Support Team
Our goal is to move you through the process with empathy and respect at all times. Our team is here to help.
