Care and Contact Attorneys for Child-Centred Parenting Arrangements
Practical, child-first parenting plans and dispute guidance.
Parenting arrangements should protect the child's wellbeing and provide practical clarity about day-to-day care, contact and decisions. We advise on agreements, Family Advocate processes and court proceedings where necessary.
Terminology
Care and Contact, Not Ownership of a Child
The Children's Act defines parental responsibilities and rights. Older or informal language may use “custody” and “access,” but current advice should address care, contact, guardianship and maintenance accurately.
A child is not a possession to be won.
Best Interests
How the Child's Best Interests Are Considered
Courts consider all relevant factors under section 7 of the Children's Act. Age, needs, relationships, safety, stability, practical caregiving and the child's views where appropriate may matter. No parent receives an automatic result based only on gender.
Parenting Plans
What a Parenting Plan May Address
The plan must fit the child, not a generic template.
Family Advocate
The Role of the Office of the Family Advocate
The Family Advocate is neutral, assists parties concerning care, contact and guardianship, considers best interests and may make recommendations to court. Parenting plans or parental-responsibilities agreements registered with the Family Advocate have the same legal effect as a court order. The Family Advocate is not either parent's lawyer.
Child Participation
Children May Have a Voice in the Process
Children may have an opportunity to express views in an age- and maturity-appropriate process. Parents should not rehearse, interrogate or ask children to choose sides.
Practical Considerations
Process and Relocation
Agreement, Mediation and Court
Choosing the Right Process
Negotiated plans or mediation can help when safe and suitable. Court may be necessary for urgency, protection, non-cooperation or unresolved disputes. We screen for coercion and domestic violence before joint processes.
Relocation and Travel
Relocation and Travel Need Early Advice
Local or international relocation and travel can affect contact and guardianship and require early, specific advice. Do not remove a child, withhold a passport or book irreversible travel based on generic website information.
Keeping Arrangements Working
Variation, Enforcement and Evidence
As Circumstances Change
Variation and Enforcement
Arrangements may need lawful change as children grow or circumstances change. Do not unilaterally ignore an order — enforcement and urgent remedies are fact-specific.
Preparing Your Case
Evidence and Experts
Relevant material may include existing orders/plans, school and medical information, schedules, travel facts, communication records and a neutral chronology. Social workers, psychologists or other professionals may be involved where appropriate; we do not commission adversarial reports without advice.
Privacy
Protecting Your Child's Privacy
We do not name or photograph children, publish allegations, or send sensitive reports through an unsecured form. Court and professional records may be restricted.
Why Sarah Alison Attorneys
Calm, Child-Centred Guidance
Child-Centred Planning
Parenting proposals built around the child's day-to-day reality.
Calm, Practical Advice
Plain-language guidance through agreements, the Family Advocate or court.
Precise Schedules
Clear, workable parenting plans rather than generic templates.
Safety Awareness
Screening for coercion or risk before recommending joint processes.
Related Family Law Services
Explore Related Family Law Services
FAQ
Care and Contact Questions
What is the difference between care and contact?
Care generally concerns day-to-day responsibility for a child, while contact concerns maintaining a relationship through visits, calls or other means.
Is custody still the correct term?
Current law uses care, contact and guardianship — “custody” is older language people still search for.
How does a court decide where a child lives?
Based on a fact-specific best-interests assessment, not a default preference for either parent.
Do children choose which parent to live with?
Children may express views in an age-appropriate process, but this is one factor among several, not a binding choice.
What is a parenting plan?
A written agreement addressing residence, contact, decision-making and related arrangements for a child.
Can contact be withheld if maintenance is unpaid?
No. Maintenance and contact are separate rights and should not be used as leverage against each other.
What does the Family Advocate do?
Acts neutrally in the interests of the child and may make recommendations to the court.
Can a parenting arrangement be changed?
Yes, through a lawful variation process as circumstances change.
What if a parent wants to relocate?
Relocation can affect contact and guardianship and needs early, specific advice before any steps are taken.
What if the child may be unsafe?
Contact SAPS or emergency services if there is immediate danger, and see our protection order guidance.
Get in Touch
Request a Confidential Consultation
Tell us your safe contact method, both parents/guardians involved, any existing order or plan, and urgency. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.