Supporting you and your children through separation

When a relationship ends, working out parenting arrangements can be one of the most emotional and challenging parts of the process. You want to make sure your children feel safe, supported and loved, while also navigating the changes to your own family life.

At Samford Valley Law, we understand that every family is different. We work with you to find practical, child-focused arrangements that reflect your family's circumstances and support your children's best interests.

Whether you're working towards an agreement with the other parent, need help formalising existing arrangements or are facing a difficult parenting dispute, we're here to provide clear advice and guide you through your options.

Our goal is to help you move forward with clarity, confidence and arrangements that work for your family.

How we can help

Parenting arrangements are about more than deciding where your children will live. They can cover the day-to-day details of raising your children after separation, as well as the important decisions that shape their future.

We can assist with:

Parenting arrangements

We help you work through practical arrangements for where your children live, how they spend time with each parent and how they communicate with each of you. We consider your children's needs, routines, schooling and family circumstances to help develop arrangements that are workable and focused on their wellbeing.

Parental responsibility and decision-making

Important decisions about your children's education, health, living arrangements and other long-term matters can be difficult to navigate after separation. We explain how parental responsibility works and help you understand your options for making decisions in your children's best interests.

Parenting plans

A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents that sets out arrangements for their children. We can help you prepare a clear, practical parenting plan that reflects your agreement and provides a framework for managing parenting responsibilities and communication.

Consent orders

If you and the other parent have reached an agreement and want it formalised, we can assist with preparing consent orders for consideration by the court. Consent orders can provide greater certainty by making your agreed parenting arrangements legally binding.

Parenting disputes

When parents disagree about their children's arrangements, it can be difficult to know how to move forward. We provide practical advice, help you understand your options and support you through negotiation, family dispute resolution and, where necessary, court proceedings.

Changes to existing arrangements

As children grow and family circumstances change, existing arrangements may no longer be suitable. We can advise you on reviewing and updating parenting arrangements, including changes to parenting plans or existing court orders.

Finding the right arrangement for your family

There is no single parenting arrangement that suits every family. What works well for one family may not be appropriate for another.

The focus is on your children's best interests, taking into account their needs, safety, relationships and individual circumstances. This may include considering:

• Where your children will live and how they will spend time with each parent.

• Schooling, childcare, health care and other important decisions.

• Communication between parents and the sharing of information about the children.

• Holidays, special occasions and changes to regular routines.

• The practicalities of travel, work commitments and each parent's circumstances.

• Your children's relationships with siblings, grandparents and other important people.

We take the time to understand your situation and help you explore arrangements that are realistic, sustainable and centred on your children's wellbeing.

Formalising parenting arrangements

Once you have a clearer idea of what will work for your family, there are different ways to record or formalise your arrangements.

Informal agreements

Some parents are able to communicate effectively and manage their arrangements without a formal written agreement. This can provide flexibility, provided both parents are comfortable with the arrangement and it continues to meet the children's needs.

Parenting plans

A parenting plan is a written agreement, signed and dated by both parents, that sets out how parenting arrangements will work. It can provide clarity and help parents manage their shared responsibilities.

Parenting plans are not legally enforceable in the same way as court orders, so it's important to understand their legal effect before relying on one.

Consent orders

If you and the other parent agree on the arrangements, you can apply to the court for consent orders. If approved, these orders become legally binding and enforceable.

We can help you prepare proposed orders that clearly reflect your agreement and address the practical details of your children's care.

Court proceedings

If an agreement cannot be reached, you may need to ask the court to determine the parenting arrangements. Court proceedings can be complex and emotionally demanding, so we will help you understand the process, your options and the steps involved.

Where appropriate, we aim to resolve matters through agreement and dispute resolution before considering court proceedings.

A practical, supportive approach

We know that parenting matters can be deeply personal. You may be feeling uncertain about what happens next, worried about your children's wellbeing or struggling to communicate with the other parent.

Our approach is to listen, understand what matters most to you and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances. We work towards constructive outcomes wherever possible, while ensuring you understand your legal options if an agreement cannot be reached.

Throughout the process, we aim to keep your children's needs at the centre of the decisions being made and help you move forward with greater certainty.

Let's talk about your family's next steps

If you're navigating parenting arrangements after separation, you don't have to work through everything on your own.

At Samford Valley Law, we're here to help you understand your options, work towards practical arrangements and make informed decisions about your children's future.