Parenting lawyers help separated parents agree on, or seek court orders for, where children live and how they spend time with each parent.
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Australian courts decide parenting arrangements based on the child's best interests, with safety the first consideration. Parents can record an agreement in a parenting plan, which is flexible but not enforceable, or in consent orders, which are. A lawyer helps you understand what arrangements are realistic and how to present your case if agreement isn't possible.
Why parenting & child custody matters
Parenting arrangements shape children's daily lives for years. A clear, workable agreement reduces conflict and gives children stability.
The Australian context
Under the Family Law Act, the child's best interests are paramount and safety is the first consideration. 2024 reforms removed the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, so each case turns on its own facts. Agreements can be recorded in a parenting plan or made binding as consent orders.
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Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Daykin Family Law provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
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Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Emerge Legal provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+3 moreCriminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Freemont Family Lawyers Dandenong provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Hawker Family Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
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Forster, NSW · Mid North Coast
Hebblewhite Family Lawyers provides legal services in Forster, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+6 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law
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Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Hebblewhite Family Lawyers provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
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Bega, NSW · South Coast
Jennifer Chalker Lawyer provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Family Property Settlement · Parenting & Child Custody · General Practice (regional generalist)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Somerton, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Justice First Legal provides legal services in Somerton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · NDIS & Disability Law · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Criminal Law
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Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Kelly & McHale Family Lawyers provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
Longman Hill Solicitors provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Northcote, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Northcote Conveyancing provides legal services in Northcote, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Pigdon Norgate Family Lawyers Albury provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and De Facto Relationships.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bunbury, WA · South West
Taegan Irving Lawyer provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
VM Family Law provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to parenting & child custody
What to discuss at the first meeting
Describe the children’s current arrangements and the practical problem you want resolved. School, health, travel, communication and safety issues may need different discussions from a disagreement about time spent with each parent.
Ask how a proposed plan differs from a court order and what process would be required to record or change arrangements.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
Questions to ask a parenting & child custody adviser
What arrangements need immediate attention?
What resolution process is suitable given any safety concerns?
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is there a presumption of 50/50 time?
No. The law focuses on the child's best interests. Equal time can be ordered where it suits the child, but there is no automatic starting point of equal time.
Can I move away with the children?
Relocating in a way that affects the other parent's time usually needs their agreement or a court order. Get advice before moving.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
