Parents should try to agree on a parenting plan or parenting orders for their children when they separate. Focussing on the needs and interests of your children will not only minimise the impact of separation on them, it will also ensure that your costs are lessened. The two primary considerations are:

• Ensuring children have a meaningful relationship with both parents; and
• The need to protect children from physical or psychological harm arising from abuse, neglect or family violence.

Child Support

Both parents are responsible for the financial support of their children until each child reaches the age of 18 or until completion of the school year in which the child turns 18. Child support can be paid as the parents agree, or it can be assessed by the Child Support Agency, which uses formulas it has developed for the purpose.

Child Support laws are complex. You should contact the Child Support Agency in the first instance and have a look at their website. If you have come to an agreement regarding the payment of child support that does not conform with the terms of the Act, you may enter into a Binding Child Support Agreement. Priest Legal can advise you in relation to a binding agreement.