Parenting Matters

At the end of a relationship, the well-being of your children often becomes the primary concern. At Lucas Family Law, we are committed to providing you with clear and professional guidance on parenting matters, ensuring that the best interests of your children remain our top priority.

What goes into a Parenting Arrangement?

A parenting arrangement sets out the care arrangements for your children following separation. Typically the arrangement will include:

Who will be responsible for decisions about their upbringing (i.e. education, major medical treatment, religion etc)
Who will the children live with
How much time will the children spend with each parent and how will that time occur
What arrangements can be made for special occasions (Christmas, birthdays etc) and holidays

Each family is different and it is important that any parenting arrangement reflects what is best for your children. We can help you develop a clear, practical arrangement that works best for your children.

Formalising a Parenting Arrangement

If you have a parenting arrangement for your children, it is always our recommendation that you formalise this arrangement in writing. This minimises future dispute over what was or was not agreed.

There are a couple of options available when looking to formalise your parenting arrangement, each having different benefits. We can provide you with advice on which option is best for your circumstances and ensure everything that needs to be covered off, is covered off.

What if we can't agree?

If you cannot agree on what arrangements are best for your children, the court may need to make a decision for you. The Court is a place of last resort, meaning that you should try everything possible to reach an agreement (if it is safe to do so) prior to making an application to the Court.

If your matter goes to the Court, the primary consideration is the best interests of your children. Factors that the Court may consider are:

The children's safety (and the safety of adults who care for them)
The children's views and wishes (depending on their age and maturity)
The needs of the children developmentally, psychologically and emotionally
The parents ability to provide for the children's needs
The children's relationship with the parents and extended family
Anything else that is relevant to the children

It is impossible to summarise everything the Court would consider on a website - please reach out to our team for bespoke advice on your family circumstances.