Any matter relating to a child or children under the age of 18 has the potential of being classed in the parenting issues legal category.
Our children are the most precious beings in our lives, But we do not own them, they are little persons in their own right. The younger they are the more dependent they are on their parents; to nurture and shape them; to enable them to mature into adulthood; to form their own relationships; and to survive in the huge outside world. The responsibility parents have, emotionally and practically, towards their children to help them thrive and develop cannot be underestimated.
Following a breakdown in a parent’s relationship it is vital that careful and informed consideration is given to the arrangements for the children of the family; their care and living arrangements; and most importantly ensuring that they are protected from parental conflict; and are able to safely and securely retain a relationship with both parents.
This means that parents facing an enormous upheaval in their own relationship with the other parent, often involving significant emotional discord, must put aside those emotions and separate their feelings for the other parent from the feelings of the child for the other parent.
To help parents focus on what’s in the best interests of the child, we always urge our clients to consider who the child loves when parenting arrangements are being considered.
Absent abuse, children need both parents in their lives and shared parenting is now considered the normal course of events for separating couples. Modern parents are far more involved in child raising on an equal basis than their parents before them and separating parents now often work out the best regime of parenting their children from separate households.
The best arrangements for children’s care are made in a non-combative manner and our family lawyers aim always to assist our clients focus on the needs of the children and resolve their parenting arrangements without the conflict and huge financial expense of a court resolved arrangement. While a court outcome focuses on the best interests of the children, a judge does not love your children.
When conflict is resolved, whether by negotiation or court outcome You are still the parents of your children. We can provide you with the tools and resources to help you through parenting issues always focusing on the best interests of your children.