Parenting Matters
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Parenting and child custody matters
Making care arrangements for your children after separation is often a highly emotional process. Every family is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ formula when it comes to parenting arrangements.
Every family is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ formula when it comes to parenting arrangements.
We support clients to make arrangements that work for their children and serve their best interests, ensuring a satisfactory outcome and reducing the likelihood of future conflicts.
What parenting arrangements include
There are many things to consider when making parenting arrangements including:
- Determining arrangements for children to spend time with both parents, taking into account school holidays and special occasions;
- Establishing which parent will have the final say on the children's schooling and significant medical needs, religious instruction, and other major decisions;
- Setting up communication arrangements between the children and the parent they are not spending time with;
- Determining which parent will hold the children’s birth certificates and passports; and
- Determining where a child may travel;
- Determining where a child will live or if a child can travel or relocate to a new location with one parent (called a ‘relocation case’); and
- Issues of paternity.
How we can help
We assist clients by:
- Advising them how to put in place appropriate parenting arrangements early in separation. This includes ‘interim’ parenting arrangements, which are short-term arrangements that ensure children are well supported in the initial stages of separation in a way that suits their stage of development and protects them from harm;
- Helping them to thoroughly understand their options before speaking with their former spouse about parenting arrangements, or attending mediation;
- Assisting them at mediation or in collaborative practice;
- Helping them negotiate appropriate arrangements for their children, often dealing with their spouse’s lawyer;
- Drafting parenting plans and consent orders and helping them formalise binding parenting arrangements; and
- If necessary, issuing or responding to Court proceedings, advocating strongly for clients, and supporting them throughout the litigation process.
If you have questions about your parenting or child custody arrangements or would like further information, please contact us to arrange a confidential discussion.
Complex parenting cases
We have experience in dealing with each of these issues, as well as significant ‘hands on’ experience representing clients in complex parenting matters involving:
- Children with significant medical and additional needs;
- Applications made by parents to relocate the residence of children within Australia and internationally;
- Applications by grandparents;
- Allegations of family violence and risk;
- Allegations of child abuse, including child sexual abuse;
- Drug, alcohol and substance abuse issues;
- Mental health issues.
These cases often require the invention of the Court and the involvement of experts such as clinical psychologists and medical specialists. We work closely with experts of this kind and we guide clients towards the most suitable expert for their case.
Urgent parenting matters
In some situations, it is necessary to make an urgent application to the Court seeking parenting orders.
This may be required if a child has been unexpectedly taken away, or if a child is facing an unacceptable risk of harm.
We can provide fast and pinpointed advice in these matters and are equipped to deal with urgent court applications, should that be needed.
If you require assistance in navigating parenting arrangements, please contact us.
Testimonials
What our clients say
I was fortunate enough to have been given Lana’s details whilst trying to navigate my separation. Obviously it was a very confronting time for all involved, so to have someone like her guiding me through the process was a blessing. I found Lana to be very considerate, extremely professional and just a genuine person to deal with. Can’t recommend Hulse Family Law more highly.
I will be forever grateful to Lana for making the process of divorce as stress-free as possible. She was very knowledgeable, supportive and reassuring through the entire process. Lana always took the time to clearly and efficiently explain any questions I had along the way. I was extremely satisfied with the outcome and have no hesitation in recommending Lana’s high quality professional service for all your family law matters.
Separation is a highly emotional and challenging time, without any knowledge of family law, the way forward was full of uncertainty. Lana’s knowledge and experience was invaluable in providing me with the answers I needed and the options available to me. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lana and Hulse Family Law.
During the pandemic, Lana helped me navigate an extremely difficult separation. With her extensive knowledge of family law and her professional approach, she was able to guide me through the process calmly with compassion, listening patiently to my concerns and offering a range of solutions. She helped me make informed decisions during an emotional and stressful time. The process was resolved efficiently with minimal conflict. I have no hesitations in recommending Lana for any family law matter.
Amazing service through one of the most difficult times in my life. Separation can be one of the most stressful situations anyone has to go through and Lana did the most incredible job of helping me through it every step of the way. Her genuine, kind and caring approach along with outstanding legal knowledge was second to none, along with personal advice she gave with all possible options and outcomes. Words can honestly not express enough how grateful I am.
Lana did an amazing job helping me navigate the very challenging and often scary process of separation, child custody and asset division. Her calm approach and confident advice steered me in the right direction and enabled me to obtain the best outcome for my family. Lana is patient, steady and wise and really manages to see the big picture without missing important details. I would recommend Lana for anyone seeking legal support through the process of separation.
I would highly recommend Lana, she has a wealth of knowledge and experience with family law. She helped me understand what my rights were and was able to give me the information I needed before progressing further with separation. I appreciated her timely manner in always getting back to me, and the way things were explained so well. I felt listened to and supported through a challenging time and was very happy with all the outcomes.
