Family Law

If you are having problems in agreeing on what is best for your children, it might be a good idea to look at preparing a Parenting Agreement. You can seek help with negotiating a formal agreement from a Family Relationship Centre,  or look at the Family Court of Australia website.

Parenting Agreements

Some things to remember when deciding on parenting arrangements are:

• Remain flexible. Sometimes children will decide they want to change arrangements. It might be because they have a birthday party to go to, or there is a special sporting match or event they want to see with one parent. They might be studying, or feeling sick, or just not feel like going to the other parent. Allow them to make some choices and decisions. Pressuring or forcing them to do something may make them resentful.
• Respect children's wishes. If they want to live in one house and visit the other, then take that into consideration. Same if they want to spend lots of time with both parents. But you need to work out the best way for them to do that. Don't expect children to solve all the problems.
• Regardless of the living arrangements, you are both still parents. That means you can both still turn up to all their sporting or other activities (even if it's not "your weekend"). Kids like to see both their parents at special events. Try to get over your conflict and show your kids that you are both still their parents and you both still love them.
• Do not criticise the other parent, or bring the kids into your conflict in any way. Keep discussions about money or other arrangements away from them.

Children Come First

The Family Court is still required to place the best interests of children at the centre of all their judgments.

If you want to make decisions about children's matters, you will need to seek mediation prior to going to court. This is designed to help both parents focus on what is best for the children, rather than themselves. You can get help on this through Family Relationships Centres (1800 050 321), or find out more information through the Family Court.