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Children - Parenting Plans

  • Parents are able to reach informal agreements about arrangements for their children by preparing a Parenting Plan. A Parenting Plan is simply a written document and signed and dated by the parents of a child.
  • A Parenting Plan can deal with one or more issues including:-
    • With whom a child is to live;
    • The time a child is to spend with the other parent;
    • The allocation of parental responsibility for children;
    • The manner in which parents will consult with each other about decisions made in relation to their children ( for example schooling, religious and cultural upbringing, overseas travel)
    • The way in which any future disputes will be resolved.
    • The way in which it is agreed that arrangements for the children can be changed;
    • Financial support of your children; or any other relevant matter;
  • A Parenting Plan is one option which can be adopted by separating parents in relation to their children.
  • We are able to advise you specifically as to whether we recommend a Parenting Plan in your case.
  • We are also able to provide you with appropriate referrals to Child Counsellors, Mediation Dispute Resolution Services and other relevant organisations to help you develop a Parenting Plan if you wish.
  • In considering what is to be included in your Parenting Plan, you can consider whether children spending equal time with each of their parents or alternatively significant and substantial time is in the best interest of your children and whether these options are reasonably practicable.
  • The overriding consideration for developing Parenting Plan remains that the best interest of your children.
  • In some circumstances a Parenting Plan can vary, discharge or amend existing Court Orders in relation to children. A Parenting Plan can also be drafted to amend the existing Court Orders.
  • Any Parenting Plan or Court Order is able to contain provisions about how the agreements between parents will be changed, how disagreements in relation to arrangements for children will be resolved and how decisions are made about major issues in relation to your children's life. These provisions can include engaging Mediation Organisations, private Counsellors or Family Dispute Resolution Centres to assist in any disputes that arise in relation to the Parenting Plan including disputes in complying with the plan.
  • Section 65 DAB requires the Court to have regard to the terms of the most recent Parenting Plan in relation to a child when making any Parenting Order in relation to the child upon Application.
  • Parenting Plans are one of a number of options in relation to arrangements for children after separation. We will advise you specifically whether a parenting plan is appropriate in your case.

Disclaimer
Our website does not give legal advice.
The information on this website, together with the information sheets, is produced by Hartley Healy Lawyers. It provides general information only on relevant topics of interest in relation to Family Law current at the time it is produced. No reliance should be placed on such general information as contained on this site and in the information sheets and legal advice should be sought about the particular circumstances of your particular case.

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