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Family Law

Parenting arrangement lawyers in Ipswich and Springfield

Where the children live, how their time is shared, who makes the big decisions. These are the questions that keep separating parents awake, and the law changed how they're answered in 2024. We'll explain what applies now and help you reach an arrangement that works for your family.
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What the law now asks

Since May 2024, there's no presumption and no starting point. Just the child's best interests.
The Family Law Act was amended in May 2024. The presumption of equal shared parental responsibility is gone, and there's no automatic starting point of equal time.

Instead the court looks at the child's best interests, with their safety, including protection from family violence, as the leading consideration, alongside their views, their needs, the capacity of each parent, and the benefit of a relationship with both parents where it's safe.

What that means in practice is that arrangements are shaped by your child's actual circumstances, not a formula. We'll help you build one that reflects them.
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Three ways to put an arrangement in place

From a written agreement to a court order, in increasing order of formality.
Parenting plan
A written agreement between you, signed and dated, covering where the children live, time with each parent, schooling, health and how you'll communicate. It isn't enforceable, but it's flexible, quick, and evidence of what you both intended. Many families start here.
Parenting consent orders
The same agreement, submitted to the court and made into orders without a hearing. Enforceable, and the right choice where you want certainty or where the history suggests an agreement might not hold on its own. We draft the orders so they cover the situations that actually come up.
Parenting orders decided by the court
Where you can't agree, and after family dispute resolution has been attempted or an exemption applies, the court decides. We prepare your case, represent you, and keep the focus where the court keeps it: on what's best for your child.
Talk to a family lawyer

Looking for a different family law service?

Family law rarely arrives one issue at a time. Property, parenting, agreements and protection often overlap, so the pages below cover the rest of what we do. If you're not sure where your situation fits, call 0483 980 001 and we'll point you the right way.

Divorce and separation

Property settlement

Consent orders

Binding agreements

Spousal maintenance

Domestic violence

Dispute resolution

Mediation and arbitration

Prenups

Superannuation splitting

International family law

Living arrangements

OUR ACCREDITED NETWORK

Held to the standards the profession sets, not just our own.

Every Stanford Legal matter is guided by the professional bodies that set the standard for practice in Queensland, so you always know you're in trusted hands.
Why Stanford Legal

Calm, child-focused, and clear about the law

Parenting matters go better when both parents understand what a court would actually weigh, because it takes the heat out of the negotiation. We explain that plainly, help you agree wherever agreement is possible, and represent you firmly where it isn't. For very young children, we bring a careful understanding of developmental needs to how time is shared.
6K+
Matters Resolved
4.3K+
Aussie Families Assisted
2.2K+
Homes Settled
5 Stars
On Google Reviews
OUR ACCREDITED NETWORK

Held to the standards the profession sets, not just our own.

Every Stanford Legal matter is guided by the professional bodies that set the standard for practice in Queensland, so you always know you're in trusted hands.
TESTIMONIALS

Trusted by families across South East Queensland

Parents across Ipswich, Springfield and Brisbane have trusted us to help them put their children first through a separation.
"I simply can’t thank and commend Richie, Steven, Renata and the whole team at Stanford Financial enough for making my mortgage refinance as smooth as humanly possible."
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Stanford Financial Client
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Katrina Emberson
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"We are beyond grateful for Richie and the team at Stanford! 🙌🏻 Through every hurdle and challenge, they went exceptionally far to help get our application through."
Khirsten Mamangun
Stanford Financial Client
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Stanford Financial Client
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Blake Whitehead
Stanford Financial Client
"Phenomenal service. Thank you to the Stanford Legal team for all your help & guidance."
Bryony Winsor
Stanford Legal Client
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Christie Johnston
Stanford Legal Client
"The team at Stanford Financial are brilliant! I was referred to them by a friend and dealing with them has been a fantastic experience."
Andrew Bell
Stanford Financial Client
"I honestly can't thank the team enough at Stanford Financial, especially Richie and Mitch! They both went above and beyond to get my finance sorted, and they did it all within 24 hours!"
Jamie Harris
Stanfor Financial Client
QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Can't find the answer you're after?
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Do we have to go to family dispute resolution first?
For most parenting applications, yes. The court requires a section 60I certificate from an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner before it will hear the matter, unless an exemption applies, such as urgency, family violence or child abuse. Applying for consent orders on an agreed arrangement doesn't need a certificate.
Is equal time the starting point?
No. Since the May 2024 reforms there's no presumption of equal shared parental responsibility and no automatic equal-time starting point. The court considers what's in the child's best interests, with safety as the leading consideration. Equal time is one possible outcome among many, depending on the circumstances.
Can parenting orders be changed later?
Yes, but not simply because one parent wants to. To reconsider final parenting orders the court generally needs to be satisfied there's been a significant change in circumstances and that it's in the child's best interests to revisit the orders. That test is now written into the Family Law Act. Parents can also agree a change and record it in a new parenting plan or consent orders.
What if the other parent won't follow the arrangement?
A parenting plan isn't enforceable, so if compliance is a concern, consent orders are the better tool. Where a parenting order is breached without reasonable excuse, the court can enforce it and make further orders. We'll advise on the practical options, which usually start with a letter and rarely need to end in court.

We're here to help you.

Get in touch with us to help guide you through your legal challenges.
0483 980 001
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