Child Custody Lawyers Sydney

Our child custody solicitors in Surry Hills, Sydney are dedicated to bringing about a swift and effective resolution to your family law matter. We do not promote or encourage protracted matters (though this may be out of our control at times) as we are conscious of the sensitive nature of family law matters particularly when the subject matter in dispute is children.

Our family law solicitors in Sydney take a collaborative approach to family law matters and encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution processes where appropriate.

When making arrangements for your children, it is important to consider:

• Where your children will live.
• How much time they will spend with each parent.
• How much time they will spend with other significant family members i.e. grandparents, cousins etc.
• Special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
• Where school holidays will be spent.

This may seem complex, but it is vital that your children’s best interests are taken into account. If you are considering separating you should consult a family law solicitor first to discuss things such as yours and your children’s rights as well as your obligations as a parent.

The family law system in Australia encourages parents to work out arrangements for their children without the need for Court intervention.

Although you are not legally required to, if appropriate, it is a good idea to consider entering into a parenting plan with respect to the parenting arrangements regarding your children.

A parenting plan is a voluntary agreement that sets out the day to day responsibilities of each parent, the practical considerations of a child’s daily life as well as how parents will agree and consult on important long term issues about their children.

Although it is not binding on the parties (and thus not legally enforceable) it is a good way to clarify the obligations of each parent and to create stability for the children, which is vital.

Please contact our family law solicitors in Sydney, NSW if you are considering entering into a parenting plan. 

If you want your parenting agreement to be binding, then you may seek to formalise your agreement by applying for consent orders in the Family Court. Consent orders in Australia have the same legal effect as if they had been made by a judicial officer after a court hearing. The Court must be satisfied that the orders you ask for are in the best interest of the child. 

There are two main types of child custody: sole custody and joint custody. Sole custody gives one parent the right to make decisions regarding the child’s welfare and upbringing. This includes decisions about schooling, medical care, and religious upbringing. Joint custody allows both parents to have a say in these important decisions, but one parent may still retain ultimate decision-making power. In addition, split or shared custody is also available in some cases. This means the child spending time with both parents. In all types of child custody arrangements, the best interests of the child are always taken into consideration when making decisions.

The most common child custody arrangement is joint custody. This type of arrangement allows both parents to have a say in decisions related to their child's life, such as education and medical care. Joint custody also allows for parents to have equal time with their child, with each parent having physical and legal custody rights. This means that both parents are responsible for the decisions regarding their child's upbringing, and both have the right to spend time with their child on a regular basis. In addition to this, joint custody also provides for an equal division of financial responsibility between the two parents.

The average cost of a child custody case can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case. Generally, it is recommended that parents hire an experienced family lawyer to represent them during the process. Legal fees for a child custody case can range from $2,500 to $20,000 or more, depending on how long the case lasts and how complex the legal issues are. Obviously, court proceedings will make matters more costly. It is important to note that court costs may also be incurred depending on which court hears the case. Additionally, mediation services may be required to help parents reach an agreement out of court.

If you and your former partner are unable to reach an agreement with respect to your children, either of you may make an application to the Court to have your matter resolved. This essentially means the Court will make parenting orders on your behalf.

The Court has the power to make orders with respect to:

1. Who the children will live with.
2. When the children will spend time with the other parent.
3. The responsibilities of each parent.
4. Changing or varying previous orders.

Prior to applying to the Court, you must make a genuine effort to resolve the dispute by family dispute resolution. In some circumstances, this may not be appropriate for example matters with allegations of family violence or child abuse.

Once an order is made, the Court will only change the order if there is a significant change in circumstances.

In deciding whether to make a particular parenting order in relation to a child, a Court must regard the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration.

In determining what is in the child’s best interests the Court will consider, amongst other things, the benefit to the child having a meaningful relationship with both of the child’s parents and the need to protect the child from physical or psychological harm.

In most cases, the court presumes that it is in the child’s best interests to have contact with both parents and for both parents to have equal responsibility. This is unless there has been some abuse or violence within the family.

When a Court is considering what is in the child’s best interests, they will take account of:

• The child’s views (depending on the age and maturity of the child).
• The child’s relationship with its parents.
• How willing both parents are to play a part in the child’s upbringing.
• The practicalities of both parents seeing each child.
• The capacity of each parent to care for the child’s intellectual and emotional needs.
• The gender, maturity, lifestyle and cultural background of the parents and the child.
• The responsibilities both parents have shown to parenthood.
• Any history of violence, abuse or neglect.

In situations where there are allegations of family violence towards a child in parenting disputes, the Court must consider the benefit to the child of having a meaningful relationship with both parents and the need to protect the child from physical or psychological harm from being subjected to, or exposed to, abuse, neglect or family violence. When making these considerations the Court places greater weight on the need to protect the child.

The Court will often consider orders for supervised time in these circumstances. This means that a parent will be able to have access to their children under the supervision of a third party (agreed to by the parties) or a Court approved agency.

If you require advice or assistance with respect to a parenting matters in Sydney and NSW, or for assistance with any other family law matter, contact our specialist solicitors in NSW today.