Child Custody Lawyer

Experienced Child Custody Lawyer

As experienced child custody lawyers in Melbourne, we can assist you to effectively negotiate a parenting arrangement with your ex-partner, including for international relocation, or point you in the direction of an appropriate Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner to assist you reach an agreement on a parenting plan, living arrangements, child support and making decisions on your child’s life.

We can also assist grandparents, caregivers or guardians with parenting arrangements to enable them to visit or care for the children.

It is important to get advice from a specialist Melbourne child custody lawyer on these issues.

We can also represent your interests in the Family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia if necessary.

If the Family Court decides to issue court orders determining who will have custody of your children, it is based on two primary considerations that effect your child’s best interests, along with a set of other considerations specific to each case.

The Family Law Act stipulates that the primary considerations for parental responsibility are:

• The benefit of the child having a meaningful relationship with both parents.
• The need to protect the child from physical or psychological harm, including domestic violence and mental health issues.

Other considerations made by the court when formulating a parenting order include:

• Views expressed by the child, depending on age and maturity level.
• The nature of the relationship between the child and their parents or other significant persons.
• The capacity of each parent to provide for the needs of the child.
• The likely effect of changes in the child’s living circumstances.
• The cultural background of the child and their parents.
• Any family violence orders or family violence perpetrated in the relationship.

Parenting Plans

Planning parenting arrangements after separation can be a difficult and emotional process. However, with clear advice from a specialist child custody lawyer and a willingness to compromise, you and the other parent can develop a parenting plan that works for your family.

Our Services

At Rowan Skinner & Associates Lawyers, we provide assistance and legal services for all stages of the parenting process, from the initial steps to ongoing matters.

The Role of an Independent Child Lawyer (ICL)

In some parenting matters, the court may appoint an ICL, whose role is to promote and safeguard the interests and welfare of children involved in family law matters. The court does not always appoint an ICL but usually does so when the parents are in high conflict, there a complex issues such as abuse, neglect, family violence or mental health issues, when there is a international or relocation matter, when Consent Orders may want to be reviewed. It is important to remember that the appointment of an ICL is at the discretion of the court and they act as an independent third party on behalf of the children. An ICL may:

• represent and advocate the child’s best interest in court proceedings.
• gather information regarding the child by interviewing them or parties involved such as teachers, parents, medical professionals to get a picture of the child’s needs, concerns or wishes.
• collaborate with professionals involved in the parenting matter such as therapists, social workers, and family consultants.

Our Child Custody Family Law Services

Rowan Skinner is an LIV Accredited Family Lawyer. Our practice is often contacted by clients searching for a family lawyer, in Northcote, Brunswick, Fairfield, Kew, Carlton, Fitzroy, Abbotsford, South Melbourne, Prahran, South Yarra, St Kilda, Footscray, Moonee Ponds and other areas.