Parenting matters

Georgia and her husband Andrew have three children aged 10, 7, and 5. Georgia has been the primary breadwinner for the past two years following Andrew’s redundancy. Before becoming employed full-time, Georgia was initially a stay-at-home mother and later worked part-time.

Despite her demanding work schedule, Georgia has maintained a flexible work arrangement that allows her to be significantly involved in her children’s care. Andrew, on the other hand, handles the children’s school runs and extracurricular activities.

Following their separation, Andrew sought primary care of the children, which Georgia opposed. The dispute led to legal proceedings, where Georgia sought to retain her role in her children’s lives while balancing her professional responsibilities.

We represented Georgia at the first hearing, negotiating interim arrangements for shared care. The agreed arrangement involved a 3/2/2 fortnightly basis, ensuring both parents remained actively involved in their children’s lives. This arrangement was put in place while further assessments were conducted.

To support the interim arrangements, both parties attended sessions with a psychologist for a private family report. The psychologist endorsed the shared care model, highlighting the benefits of both parents maintaining significant involvement in the children’s upbringing.

Based on the psychologist’s recommendations, both parties agreed to enter into consent orders. These orders formalised the shared care arrangement, ensuring stability and continuity for the children. The proceedings were subsequently finalized, allowing both Georgia and Andrew to continue co-parenting effectively.

This case demonstrates the importance of flexibility, professional guidance, and negotiation in family law disputes. By prioritising the well-being of the children and utilising expert recommendations, we successfully assisted Georgia in achieving a balanced and harmonious resolution to her parenting dispute.