Perth Divorce Lawyers can help you reach an outcome that is in your children’s best interests.

During the initial consultation we get to know each other and discuss the history of your relationship, what you are concerned about and what you hope to achieve.   We will ask you questions about your children, how they have been cared for during the relationship and after separation, how they are managing, any concerns you have and what type of parenting arrangement you are hoping to have in future.

You may like to prepare a summary of important information such as the children’s dates of birth as well as education and special needs.  If possible, bring in a copy of your marriage certificate if you have one and the birth certificates for each of your children.  This will help if you want us to do ongoing work, as we will already have copies of these documents.  If there is a restraining order in place and/or bail conditions apply, it is important that we are provided with that information preferably copies of the relevant documents.

Yes.  Your information is confidential.  All communications between our office and you are covered by legal professional privilege.  This is a rule of law protecting communications between legal practitioners and their clients from disclosure.  A solicitor is professionally and legally obliged to keep the affairs of their clients confidential.  The underlying principle is that a person should be entitled to seek and obtain legal advice without the concern of being prejudiced by subsequent disclosure of confidential communications.

We will not disclose our communications with you to others and you should not either.  Doing so could be a waiver, directly or implicitly, of your legal professional privilege.  The waiver of your legal professional privilege could have serious consequences for you.

Congratulations.  The hardest part is reaching agreement.  How you formalise this agreement will depend on what the agreement you have reached relates to.

Parenting arrangements can be resolved informally, with a Parenting Plan or with court orders.  Court orders can be made by consent.  How you document the agreement will have implications if you need to enforce the agreement in future so it is important to take legal advice on your options.

There are primarily two types of child custody arrangements: physical and legal custody. Within these, you can have sole or joint arrangements. Sole means one parent holds the rights, while joint means these rights are shared. Physical custody refers to where the child resides, and legal custody pertains to decision-making rights regarding the child’s welfare.

Yes, a child’s preference can potentially be considered, especially if the child is mature enough to express a reasonable preference. The weight given to the child’s preference can vary and is generally one of many factors the court considers.

To best prepare, gather relevant documents, such as school records or medical records, demonstrating your involvement and care for the child. You might also consider seeking character references. A lawyer can guide you on building a strong case and presenting it effectively in court.

In WA, grandparents, stepparents, and other relatives can apply for custody or visitation rights, especially if they have been significantly involved in the child’s life. However, it is vital to demonstrate that the proposed arrangement is in the child’s best interests.

Relocating can significantly affect custody arrangements. Generally, the relocating parent must notify the other parent and possibly the court well in advance, with the final decision focusing on how the move impacts the child’s welfare and relationships.

In cases involving unmarried parents, custody is generally determined based on the child’s best interests, similar to cases involving married parents. Establishing paternity can be a crucial step here, allowing the father to have rights regarding custody decisions.

Domestic violence or abuse is taken very seriously. It can heavily influence custody decisions, potentially limiting or supervising the access of the abusive parent to protect the child’s safety and well-being.

Yes, a custody order can be modified if there has been a significant change in circumstances, and if the modification serves the best interests of the child. Legal counsel can guide you through this process.

Joint custody implies that both parents share responsibilities and decision-making regarding the child’s upbringing. Effective communication and collaboration are essential to ensure the child’s needs are met and their welfare is prioritised.

A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed lawyer who represents the best interests of the child in custody cases. They investigate the circumstances and provide a report to the court to help determine the most suitable custody arrangement.