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Our child custody lawyers in Sydney can help make an often difficult transition easier.

Child Custody Lawyer Sydney

Australian law focuses on the rights of children to have an ongoing relationship with both parents so that separating from your partner or spouse doesn’t mean that you are separating from your child or children.

Our team of child custody lawyers in Sydney will provide quality legal services such as practical advice, and the know-how, to guide you through every step of the legal process in straightforward or complex children’s law matters.

Although the terms ‘custody’, ‘residence’, ‘contact’ and ‘access’ are no longer used much by lawyers today, the issues behind the jargon are still on the top of the list of concerns for separating couples, namely: 

  • Who will the child or children live with?
  • How will they spend time with the other parent?
  • How will both parents be kept in the loop in regard to important decisions such as education and health?

Joint Custody and Shared Responsibility

In the Family Law Act, joint custody or equal shared parental responsibility means that both parents have legal rights and responsibilities towards the child. It doesn’t mean that the child will spend half of their time with one parent and half with the other, but that each parent has an equal say in decisions relating to the child in areas such as health and education. Even if the child lives with the other parent you may still have joint custody. 

But doesn’t the law now say that children have to spend equal time with each parent?

No, it doesn’t. The law ensures that the best interests of the child are served first. When considering what is in the children’s best interests, the court has to consider facilitating a meaningful relationship between the children and both of their parents and also to protect the child from forms of harm such as physical or psychological harm. If the court is to provide equal shared responsibility then it will also consider whether equal time is in the best interests of the children and whether it’s practical. Rather than equal time, for example, the court may order substantial and significant time be spent with the other parent, which might translate to be 4 nights per fortnight rather than 7. 

Where do I start?

As child custody lawyers in Sydney experienced in the family law process we can advise you in regard to the complexities of your specific situation as well as guide you through what can be a stressful and confusing process. We can help take the heat out of a difficult emotional situation and negotiate on your behalf to obtain the best possible result for your children before child custody matters go to court. And if it comes to court proceedings, we are highly familiar with the court system and can use our experience to your advantage. 

Specialist Sydney Child Custody Lawyers

Harbourside Legal Services family law solicitors can provide assistance for a range of matters relating to family law and de facto relationships, including:

Marriage, De Facto and Divorce Law

  • Prenuptial agreements (prenups)
  • Divorce in Australia including preparing and serving divorce papers
  • Legal separation issues
  • Annulment of marriages
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Property settlements
  • Binding Financial Agreements
  • Domestic and family violence and apprehended violence orders (AVOs)
  • Family Mediation Legal aid for family law matters
  • Legal representation at Family Court

Children’s issues

  • Child support enforcement of payments
  • Parenting plans for child custody visitation
  • Parental rights, father’s rights and grandparent’s rights
  • Guardianship of children Adoption Children’s Court

To learn how our child custody lawyers in Sydney can support you, contact Harbourside Legal today. Send us your enquiry through our contact form or via email at [email protected]. You can also call our Sydney CBD office on 02 9955 6692.

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