A parenting plan, signed and dated by both parties, can be the result of an informal agreement or the mediation process but is not legally enforceable. While the courts prefer parenting plans, a parenting order may be necessary if one parent is not adhering to the agreed parenting plan.
You might get served with what is called an initiating application from the family court. This is the beginning of a parenting order and you will need to prepare and or respond to documents such as financial statements, affidavits or orders to go to a hearing.
If you’re being served a parenting order, you need to respond in a timely manner otherwise you will most likely end up incurring further costs. Ignoring these orders or simply saying “I’ll let them have the kids”, can go bad financially.
Getting a little bit of legal advice, the earlier the better, could save you thousands in the long run.
If you’re thinking of issuing a parenting order, keep in mind that this process can take up to 2 years to complete, it’s imperative you receive the correct advice at the start of the process to ensure you can see it through to completion.
We have experience in preparing hundreds of parenting plans and actually take an interest in your case, we listen, support you and guide you to your desired outcome. In addition, we have witnessed time and time again family lawyers in court showing a surprising lack of understanding for the particular circumstances of the case and urge you to make sure your lawyer is listening to your concerns.
With years of professional and personal experience in Family Law, we genuinely understand the importance of moving on with your life.
We understand concerns about unexpectedly large legal bills and disclose legal costs upfront so that you can make informed decisions.
We achieve the best outcomes for our clients by fighting from your corner with a conciliatory instead of adversarial approach to family law.
Mark Shaw
Tina parsons