Formalising the parenting arrangements for children after separation has many benefits for both the parents and children. A formalised agreement provides a predictable and stable routine, reduces the chances of conflict, and reduces stress and the likelihood of the other parent acting contrary to the agreed arrangement.
There is no one better placed to make decisions about what parenting arrangements are in the “best interests” of children, than their parents. However, an experienced family law practitioner can provide very useful, and sometimes critical advice, to assist parents to agree on, and formalise, all necessary parenting issues for their children.
Issues we commonly advise separated parents about include:
- the various parenting arrangements parents might consider such as week-about, a shared week arrangement, and alternate weekend routines, including arrangements for special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s and Father’s Day;
- how to “make legal” the agreed parenting arrangement to reduce the risk of the other parent absconding with, or holding over the children, or making threats to do so;
- whether to enter into a parenting order – which is legally binding, or a parenting plan – which is not legally binding, but which has other benefits, including flexibility;
- how to ensure the parenting arrangements still maintain a degree of flexibility where needed. This can be critical where one parent works on a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) arrangement, does shift-work, or lives in another city;
- other parenting issues such as domestic and international travel with the children, passport arrangements, choice of schools and medical providers;
- concerns relating to who will care for the children when they spend time with the other parent;
- what to do when a child is refusing to spend time with the other parent;
- how parents can keep in touch with their children when they are living with the other parent;
- concerns regarding alcohol, illicit substances and family or domestic violence; and
- how to communicate with the other parent regarding a parenting issue about which they do not agree.
The feedback we commonly get from our clients is that formalising the parenting arrangements:
- reduces stress for the children by providing a stable routine;
- reduces anxiety and conflict for the parents by removing the need to communicate on a weekly basis with the other parent about what time the children will spend with each of them;
- enables parents to plan their time with their children, including holidays and special occasions such as birthday and Christmas celebrations;
- reduces their level of fear that the other parent may abscond with their child, refuse to return their child or otherwise act contrary to the formal parenting arrangements; and
- reduces their level of fear that the other parent may make a court application seeking for the children to live with them or to move away.
It is strongly recommended that, in the initial stages of a separation, parents obtain legal advice from experienced family law practitioners about:
- the law surrounding parenting issues and arrangements under the Family Law Act 1975(Cth) as relevant to the particular family;
- the various parenting options, arrangements and issues they should consider;
- whether a parenting arrangement should be formalised through a parenting plan or court orders;
- the services available (some of which are free), to assist parents to discuss and agree on parenting arrangements; and
- how they can make the agreed parenting arrangements “legal”.
At Miller Harris Lawyers, our experienced Cairns and Mareeba family lawyers are available to provide you with advice on general parenting matters and the application of the Family Law Act 1975 to your family situation, and specific parenting issues, to assist you to amicably resolve the arrangements for your children.
If you would like more information about how we can assist you to amicably resolve the parenting arrangements for your children, please feel free to contact our Cairns and Mareeba Family Lawyers on 4036 9700.