Family law
Parenting consultation checklist after separation
Direct answer: For a parenting-law consultation, prepare a short chronology, each child’s present routine, the arrangements you propose, existing agreements or orders and any genuine safety concerns. Australian family law focuses on children’s best interests and generally uses terms such as parental responsibility, living arrangements and time—not ownership or “custody” of a child.
Seek urgent help if
- a child is in immediate danger;
- a child has been taken or may be removed interstate or overseas;
- contact details or location are being concealed;
- family violence, abuse or serious neglect is alleged;
- a court deadline or imminent changeover is involved;
- an existing order is being breached;
- passports, airport alerts or recovery action may be relevant.
Call emergency services for immediate danger. A website enquiry is not emergency assistance.
Child and family information
- Full names, birth dates and current addresses of each child.
- Parents, carers and important household members.
- School, childcare and extracurricular commitments.
- Medical, disability, developmental or cultural needs.
- Current living and time arrangements.
- How long the current arrangement has operated.
- The child’s important relationships and support network.
Your proposed arrangements
- Where the child should live.
- Regular time with each parent.
- Weekends, holidays and special occasions.
- Changeover place, time and transport.
- Telephone or video communication.
- School, health and major long-term decisions.
- Travel, passports and overseas holidays.
- How parents will communicate and exchange information.
- A practical plan if a child is ill or arrangements change.
Documents and chronology
- Existing parenting plan, consent orders or court orders.
- Applications, affidavits and hearing notices.
- Family-dispute-resolution certificate or correspondence.
- A concise chronology of significant events.
- Relevant school, medical or agency records lawfully held.
- Important messages or emails—not an unfiltered archive.
- Police, protection-order or child-protection material where relevant.
- Details of previous lawyers, experts or proceedings.
Safety information
- Specific incidents, dates and effects on the child.
- Current protection or safety arrangements.
- Family violence, coercive control, substance misuse or mental-health concerns.
- Firearms, threats, stalking or abduction risk.
- Safe contact method and whether joint attendance is inappropriate.
Be accurate and distinguish what you observed from what someone told you.
Questions to bring
- Is family dispute resolution required or appropriate?
- Would a parenting plan or consent orders be suitable?
- Are interim orders needed?
- How should changeovers occur safely?
- What evidence is relevant?
- How do current orders affect the proposal?
- Are child support or property issues separate?
What happens next?
Legal Care Australia can explain parenting pathways, negotiation, dispute resolution and court processes where it accepts the matter.
Client next step: Book a confidential consultation and provide only the documents requested through the secure process after conflict checking.
Official information
General information only. Parenting outcomes depend on the child’s circumstances and current law.