Family Law
LEGAL EXPERTISE ON THE FAR SOUTH COAST
The Family Law Act
We provide legal support and advice in relation to property/financial settlements. We work hard to assist you through what can be an emotional and challenging time, by providing considered and thoughtful advice.
Deciding on the best interests of the child
The Family Law Act requires a court to regard the best interests of the child as the most important thing when it is making a parenting order. Recent changes to the Act mean that the court must take the following into account when deciding what is in the best interests of the child:
Primary considerations:
The first considerations a court needs to take into account are:
- the benefit to the child of having a meaningful relationship with both his or her parents, and
- the need to protect the child from physical or psychological harm from being subjected to, or exposed to, abuse, neglect or family violence.
These factors are given equal weight. They are considered in light of each child’s individual situation.