Parenting Plans
The Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (mediator) will work with you to clarify the issues you wish to discuss and help you generate possible solutions and agreements which can be documented into a Parenting plan.
A Parenting Plan can include a number of points including:
How much time the children will spend with each of you
Contact arrangements for the other parent or care-giver, while the children are in your care. This may also include how the children will be changed over from one parent or caregiver to another
How the children will be involved in special occasions, for example birthdays, Christmas, mothers’/fathers’ days
How the children’s holidays will be arranged
Which school the children will attend
Health matters
Religious and cultural matters.
During the mediation, everyone will have time to talk, to consider suggestions, take a break, and to talk individually to the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner before making final decisions.
A parenting plan is not legally binding however holds a high expectation from the court to be followed. This is a good faith agreement that reflects your co-parenting arrangements. The next step to make the Parenting Plan legally binding is to apply to the court for Consent Orders. A lawyer can assist with this process or on some occasions you can do it yourself. It is always recommended to seek legal advice before signing any agreement and exploring next step options.
Follow the link to the Australian Government fact sheet on Parenting Plans