Our Parenting Arrangement Lawyers support parents through all aspects of post-separation parenting matters. We provide clear, practical advice to help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and to create arrangements that prioritise your child’s best interests.
How Can We Help You?
Navigating parenting arrangements after separation can be overwhelming. Our family lawyers, servicing Newcastle, Maitland and surrounding regions, assist with parenting agreements, mediation, negotiations, and court applications under the Family Law Act 1975.
With professionalism and genuine care, we guide you through each step of the process, helping you make informed decisions that support your child’s wellbeing and maintain stability during a challenging time.
Parenting arrangements require thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of legal obligations. Our lawyers help you negotiate and formalise arrangements that reflect your child’s needs, your family circumstances, and the law.
We provide expert advice, practical guidance, and tailored support, helping you navigate negotiations, attend mediation, and—if necessary—pursue court orders in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).
Following separation, parenting arrangements must be made in accordance with the best interests of the child—the central principle under the Family Law Act 1975. This includes considerations such as the child’s safety, meaningful relationships with each parent, developmental needs, views (where appropriate), and the capacity of each parent to meet those needs.
Parenting arrangements typically fall into one of the following categories:
Equal Time
Children spend equal time with each parent, not necessarily week-on-week-off, but at least 7 days per fortnight with each parent. Research shows equal time arrangements generally work best as children get older.
Lives With One Parent and Spends “Substantial and Significant” Time With the Other
Common where one parent is the primary carer. Children spend around 4–6 nights per fortnight with the other parent. This structure can work well for children of all ages.
Lives With One Parent and Spends Limited Time With the Other
Often every second weekend or similar arrangements. Suitable where distance, schedules, or specific child needs limit time.
Lives With One Parent and Spends No Time With the Other
Rare in private family law matters. Courts typically only order no time when evidence shows a risk of harm to the child.
We assess your situation and advise on parenting arrangements that reflect your child’s best interests, social science research, and the law.
We assist with negotiations between you and your former partner, helping you reach practical and child-focused agreements.
We prepare you for and attend mediation, a required step before court in most parenting matters unless exemptions apply.
We draft clear and practical Parenting Plans that record your agreed arrangements without needing court orders.
If you want your agreement to be legally binding, we prepare and file Consent Orders with the FCFCOA.
If agreement cannot be reached, we prepare and run your court proceedings, presenting your case clearly and persuasively.
Speak with one of our experienced lawyers to get early advice, understand your options, and find out how we can help, with no cost and no pressure.
We’re here to support you through every stage of the parenting arrangements process—from initial advice to finalising legally enforceable orders. Our goal is to help you achieve clarity, certainty and stability for your children.
Clarity Lawyers will guide you through the legal process with straightforward advice and compassionate support, ensuring you understand your options and feel confident moving forward.
Select your desired option below to share a direct link to this page
