Child Custody and Parenting Lawyers

Delivering expert legal support for child custody and parenting arrangements across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart.

Expert legal support for child custody and parenting arrangements across Australia. We understand that family matters are deeply personal and often complex, requiring a delicate balance of robust legal advocacy and empathetic guidance. Our dedicated team is committed to securing the best interests of your children while providing you with the clarity and stability needed to navigate these challenging life transitions with confidence and peace of mind.

A trusted team to assist with your Children and Parenting matter

The best interests of the child will always be the paramount consideration in any decisions regarding arrangements for children. In determining what is in the child's best interests the court must consider:

1.what arrangements would promote the safety of the child and each person who has the care of the child;
2.any views expressed by the child;
3.the developmental, psychological, emotional and cultural needs of the child and the capacity of each person to provide for those needs;
4.the benefit to the child of having a relationship with the child's parents, and other people who are significant to the child, where it is safe to do so; and
5.anything else that is relevant to the particular circumstances of the child.

In considering the above matters, the court must include consideration of any history of family violence, abuse or neglect involving the child or a person caring for the child and any family violence order that applies or has applied to the child or a member of the child's family.

Family Sector Scope

Specific legal actions and jurisdictional scope handled by our specialist team.

Separation Planning

Strategic legal advice before and during separation to protect your position and provide clarity for the future.

Conflict Resolution

Utilizing mediation and family dispute resolution to achieve peaceful outcomes without court intervention.

Financial Settlements

Negotiating complex divisions of matrimonial and de facto property pools with commercial precision.

Parenting Orders

Securing enforceable court orders that protect your parental rights and the long-term well-being of your children.

Domestic Violence Advocacy

Rapid legal intervention and representation for AVO/ADVO matters to ensure the safety of your family.

Financial Agreements

Drafting robust Binding Financial Agreements to provide asset certainty for both de facto and married couples.

Sector Details

A comprehensive breakdown of the legal processes and frameworks involved in child custody, parenting arrangements, and family transitions in Australia.

If it is safe to do so, and subject to any court orders, the parents of a child are encouraged to consult each other about major long-term issues in relation to the child, and in doing so, they are to have regard to the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration.

A parenting order that deals with the allocation of responsibility for making decisions about major long-term issues in relation to the child may provide for joint decision making in relation to all or specified major long-term issues. If a parenting order provides for joint decision making then, unless the order specifies otherwise, each person is required to consult the other person in relation to each decision about major long-term issues and make a genuine effort to come to a joint decision.

Long term issues include decisions parents may make including in relation to their child's education, major health decisions, religious and cultural upbringing, the child's name and changes to the child's living arrangements that make it significantly more difficult for the child to spend time with a parent.

Family Sector Solutions

Our sector expertise ensures that every familial dispute or agreement is handled with precision and empathy.

01Divorce & Separation Management

02Parenting Orders & Custody

03Complex Asset Division

04Domestic Violence Advocacy

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Sector Approach

We lead with mediation and negotiation to protect familial relationships, turning to litigation only when necessary.

Mediation First

Resolving matters respectfully outside of court.

Strategic Precision

Securing financial and parental futures.

Empathetic Guidance

Supportive advice during difficult family transitions.

Future Focused

Long-term solutions for sustainable family outcomes.

Practice Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions our clients ask during their initial legal consultations.

Straightforward settlements can take 2-4 months. Contested matters involving court can take 12-24 months. We aim for the fastest resolution via mediation.

This depends on several factors including who is on the title and the needs of any children. We can advise on your specific rights to 'exclusive occupation'.

It is a legal presumption that parents should have an equal say in major long-term decisions for their children, unless there is a risk of harm.

In most parenting cases, you must attend Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) and obtain a certificate before filing in court, unless an exemption applies.

Businesses are valued as part of the asset pool. We work with forensic accountants to ensure an accurate valuation for a fair split.