How does the Court make decisions about Children?

Divorce and separation affects not only parents but has consequences for children. Like their parents, children have to come to grips with changes to their family unit, adjust sometimes to a new home and surroundings, and to moving between their mother's and father's residence.

At Barkus Doolan Kelly, we not only advise clients about their legal rights and entitlements, but try and help educate them about the effects of marriage breakdown, empathise with their situation and refer them, their partners and children to qualified counsellors and child psychologists who can help both with separation counselling and in coming to an agreement about where children live and how much time they spend with each parent.

Whilst there will be cases where it is important that urgent and strong legal action be taken by our firm on your behalf to protect your rights and those of the children, we regard counselling as the first and most important step in virtually all other cases in resolving issues about children. Those decisions should be made, wherever possible, by you and your former spouse or partner, and not by the Courts.

If parents can reach decisions together, Barkus Doolan Kelly can help formalise that agreement by Consent Orders or Parenting Plans.

Back