Parenting Time (Visitation)
CHATSWOOD CUSTODY LAWYER
CHATSWOOD CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS WITH PROVEN SUCCESS IN RESOLVING PARENTING AND VISITATION CONFLICTS
For noncustodial parents, parenting, or visitation, shapes much of their relationship with their children. In Australia, family courts acknowledge a parent’s right to frequent, meaningful contact with their children, within reasonable circumstances and as long as it serves the children’s best interests. At Chatswood Family Lawyers, we have experience with complex parenting disputes, including those arising from a custodial parent’s fear, often legitimate, that time with the other parent is detrimental to the child, or a custodial parent’s deliberate interference with visitation to alienate the other parent. Such cases are emotionally charged and require patient but firm management to reach a resolution without causing emotional harm to the child. You can rely on Chatswood Family Lawyers to handle your parenting dispute with compassion and professionalism.
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF A VARIETY OF PARENTING ISSUES IN NEW SOUTH WALES
In more than twenty years of family law practice, we’ve successfully resolved numerous parenting issues and disputes. Common issues include:
Supervised or restricted parenting orders
If the court determines that parenting time with the noncustodial parent could be detrimental to the child, then time with the child may be prohibited or subject to special restrictions, such as not allowing a parent to drive the child in a motor vehicle or take them overnight. This can stem from a history of domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or substance abuse, and the court will investigate the allegations before taking action. Courts may also appoint a supervisor to monitor time with the child, and in some cases, this can be a reasonable party which the parents agree upon. The restrictions may be lifted in the future if the court believes the child is no longer at risk.
Custody exchanges in safe locations
Parents with a highly contentious relationship or a history of domestic violence may be encouraged or even required to make changeovers of children at a prearranged safe place, like a shopping mall or police station.
ONLINE ENQUIRY
Parental alienation
When one parent attempts to alienate the other parent from the affections of the child, it can be detrimental to all involved. This is grounds for re-evaluating the parenting order or denying time. If a custodial parent praises or encourages a child for rejecting the noncustodial parent or punishes the youngster for showing affection to the other parent – even in subtle ways – the court can construe that behaviour as a violation of the parenting order.
Third-party parenting
Parents are not the only interested parties in parenting disputes. A custodial parent may deny grandparents access to their grandchildren. Courts have upheld grandparents’ rights to time with a child in cases where emotional bonds existed between the grandparents and the grandchildren who have been active in each other’s lives.
Variation
Because children develop different interests over time and their schedules are constantly changing, variations to parenting plans are often necessary. Some adjustments are easy to negotiate, but major disputes can occur if one parent makes plans to move out of state with the children.
GET EXPERIENCED FAMILY LAW REPRESENTATION FOR VISITATION ISSUES WITH CHATSWOOD FAMILY LAWYERS
Parenting time issues can be stressful and complex, so you need an experienced family lawyer who can present your side of the case in a clear and convincing manner. Chatswood Family Lawyers advocates for parents and grandparents seeking a resolution to visitation disputes throughout the North Shore, Greater Sydney and its environs. To schedule a consultation, call us on (02) 9412 4500 at our Chatswood office or contact us online or by email at enquiries@chatswoodfamilylawyers.com.au.