In Australia, the Family Law Act provides several options for parenting and child custody arrangements. Parents can share equal parental responsibility, or one parent may be granted sole parental responsibility. The family law process encourages parents to reach agreements through mediation or seek legal advice from experienced family lawyers to create a parenting plan or consent order.

If an agreement can’t be reached, family court lawyers can represent you in the family court system. The primary consideration in any arrangement is the child’s best interests, including maintaining a meaningful relationship with both parents. Our Brisbane family lawyers can guide you through the process and ensure that any arrangement is in your child’s best interests.

The Family Law Act does not specify a preferred “split” of child care, but it encourages equal shared parental responsibility where both parents are involved in significant decisions about the child’s upbringing. However, the actual care split varies depending on the circumstances of each family. It needs to be practical for everyone – and most of all, what is best for the children involved.

Family law solicitors can help with child custody cases and create arrangements that best suit the child’s needs, ensuring the child’s life is stable and secure. If parents cannot agree, the family court system ultimately decides the most appropriate split.

Parental responsibility refers to the legal rights, duties, and authority parents have regarding major decisions in their child’s life. This includes decisions about health, education, and religious practices. Under the Family Law Act, both parents are presumed to share equal parental responsibility unless a court order indicates otherwise.

Our team of family lawyers in Brisbane can guide you through the legal process of establishing or modifying parental responsibility, ensuring that decisions are made with the child’s best interests in mind. Seeking independent legal advice can help parents understand their obligations and rights.

Parental decision-making refers to the authority parents have to make significant decisions about their child’s life, including their education, health, and general welfare. In the family law process, parental decision-making is usually shared equally between parents unless one parent is granted sole parental responsibility.

Family law experts can assist parents in negotiating and formalising decision-making agreements through parenting plans or consent orders.

A consent order is a legally binding agreement between parents that formalises decisions about family law matters such as parenting arrangements, including child custody, visitation schedules, and decision-making responsibilities. Our family law team can assist you in drafting these orders, which become enforceable once they are approved by the court.

If either parent fails to comply, they may be subject to enforcement measures. Consent orders are a popular option for resolving child custody matters without the need for a full family court process. Experienced family lawyers can help you negotiate and prepare a consent order that reflects your child’s best interests.

In many cases, parents can resolve their parenting matters outside of court through negotiation, mediation, or a parenting plan. Family law solicitors can guide you through the process of creating an informal arrangement or a formal consent order.

However, if an agreement can’t be reached or if urgent intervention is needed, our family court lawyers can assist with filing applications in the family court system. Seeking legal advice early on can help you manage the family law process effectively and avoid lengthy court proceedings.

In Queensland, children do not have an absolute right to choose their living arrangements until they reach the age of 18. However, the Family Law Act allows children to express their views on matters affecting their lives, especially as they mature.

The family court system considers a child’s wishes, typically from the age of 12 or older, provided the child has the maturity to make informed decisions. Working with family lawyers can help to ensure that a child’s views are heard and considered while always prioritising their best interests.

Managing complex family law challenges, such as parental alienation, high-conflict disputes, or issues involving domestic violence, requires experienced family lawyers and support to address. Family law specialists can provide comprehensive family law services, helping to navigate these sensitive matters.

Mediation is often the first step in resolving complex parenting issues, but if that fails, lawyers can represent you in the family court process. Experienced family lawyers are essential in ensuring that decisions are made in the child’s best interests and in addressing any legal issues that arise during the child custody process.