Parenting Matters

What we offer to our Melbourne clients

We frequently help clients and their families achieve successful outcomes in a variety of matters including:

Parenting disputes ('custody' and 'access')
Same sex parenting (and financial) disputes
Paternity disputes
Assisting with parenting plans
Obtaining consent orders
Dealing with the breach of an existing parenting order
Child Support payments
Parentage disputes
Grand parents & other family members applications relating to children
Relocation and travel

Let us help get your parenting matters sorted

We can help if you need legal advice about a child that is important to you

At Freeman Family Law we provide fathers, mothers, grandparents, and step-parents across Melbourne with comprehensive and practical advice to achieve the best outcome for their family.

‘Best interests of the child’

Under Australian law children have the right to maintain a meaningful relationship with both of their parents while being protected from harm. The Family Law Act 1975 requires that any arrangements that are made for a child during or following a separation are to be in their best interests.

Parental responsibility

Following a separation both parents maintain equal shared parental responsibility for any child of the relationship under the age of 18. This means that the child’s parents will share responsibility for major decisions including schooling, religion, and significant health decisions. Equal responsibility is not the same as equal time and there is no rule or presumption that children spend equal time with each parent.

Child ‘custody’ and time arrangements

The term ‘child custody’ is no longer in use in Australian law. Instead parents will make arrangements for ‘time’ for that child to spend with each of their parents.

Although parents share an equal responsibility for children, there is no rule that the child must spend equal time with each parent. There are no fixed rules as to who a child should live with or how much time they should spend with each of their parents. In many circumstances arrangements for children are made and agreed upon by the parents either independently, in mediation, or with the guidance of family lawyers. If the parents cannot agree, the Court can decide what arrangements that are in the child’s best interests and can make Orders accordingly.

Just as each family is different, each outcome relating to children is highly dependant on the individual circumstances of that family.

For more information, contact our team of respected family lawyers today for a confidential discussion about your childrens matter

Why Choose Us

Our local firm has been a trusted name in family law matters for more than 30 years
Our staff are led by Graeme Freeman, a respected legal expert and one of the most sought-after family lawyers working today
We provide comprehensive and compassionate legal representation, no matter how complex or difficult the case may be
Communication with clients is always clear, open and honest, ensuring they are always aware of the legal avenues available to them and the associated costs and charges
Our staff are specialised in family law and know exactly what is required in every case we take on
We guide our clients through each stage of their legal proceeding, helping them to navigate the intricate and dense language of the law and provide their case with the best chance of success

Also, we can help
you in:

Freeman Family Law has been assisting clients in Melbourne CBD, Yarraville, Caroline Springs, Hillside, Keilor, Albert Park and Taylors Lakes areas for over 30 years.