When couples separate and divorce, it’s often the children who are mostly affected. Especially if they have been living with and have been cared for by both parents, the change will require major adjustments.
This will be a difficult time for the children and parents. And it’s important to get the parenting arrangements ironed out without causing more difficulties for all parties affected. For this to happen, every couple must know the process involved to reach the best arrangement for their children.
These are the three steps that parents go through to decide the parenting arrangements:
Step 1: Decide on the best parenting arrangement for their children.
Parents must agree on the parenting duties and responsibilities of each side, as well …show more content…
Step 2: Undergo a family dispute resolution.
Through the family dispute resolution, a specialist will help couples discuss issues and consider various options to reach an agreement. This must be done by an independent and registered family dispute resolution practitioner. Residents of Melbourne for example, will need to make sure that the practitioner that handles the resolution is registered under the Victoria Attorney General’s office and is listed here.
A certificate will be issued at the end of the resolution period to indicate whether an agreement was reached or not. If the resolution doesn’t work, then couples will need to go to the next step.
Step 3: Apply to the family law courts for parenting orders.
Parents will need to undergo a trial and have the court decide on the parenting arrangement. The decision of course will be made considering the best interests of the children. The main factors that will be considered are: upholding the safety of the children and protecting them from violence and abuse, and maintaining the close relationship between essential people in their