Jonson Leo

Decision making for the best interests of your children can be difficult at the same time as coming to terms with the breakdown of a relationship. It isn’t easy to look out for your children’s future when you are in the midst of trying to secure your own future without the support of a life partner for the first time.

We have helped thousands of parents through this.  Tactics must be flexible for your situation and vary from negotiation, mediation through to litigation.

Even reasonable and amicable parents can disagree about what is best for their children and we can advise what child experts and judges are likely to think of your situation, before you get that far.  Even successful parents might be arguing over:

• parenting styles;
• overnight times; nights per fortnights;
• practicalities of change overs;
• private schooling;
• Christmas, birthdays, school holidays.

These matters are usually resolved out of court, but we have acted for parents in difficult situations involving the particular difficulties of:

• stubborn and unrealistic spouses;
• vengeful and abusive parents;
• relocation;
• schooling after separation;
• mental illness;
• irresponsibility;
• drug and alcohol abuse.

The Family Law Act places great emphasis on making sure that children continue to have a strong and meaningful relationship with each of their parents. Amendments made to that Act in recent years have caused a shift in the approach that Judges take where parents can’t agree between themselves.

Early and informed decisions about the proposals you make for the care of your children may make the difference between experiencing years of acrimony versus creating a healthy positive environment for the growth and wellbeing of your children.

Please contact us on 03 9793 7888 to schedule an appointment where we will provide you with the relevant legislation and identify the factors especially relevant to you.