The best interests of your children will always be at the forefront of any parenting matter under Australian law. But we also know it’s also the most important issue for you as the parent.
Separation or divorce is an emotionally challenging time generally, but when children are involved, it raises the stakes further. It’s always best to come to an agreement on parenting arrangements with your ex, and that might be a little complicated or emotionally overwhelming. But we’re here to support you.
Our Watts McCray Wollongong team of expert family lawyers has extensive experience working across parenting arrangement and child custody matters. Our local team has decades of experience working with Wollongong families, and we’re dedicated to providing guidance and empathy throughout the legal process to achieve a fair outcome for all parties.
After all, it’s your children’s future that’s at stake.
How we help
Watts McCray Wollongong offers a broad range of services to support your post-separation parenting journey, including:
- Helping to prepare parenting arrangements, parenting plans or consent orders, including assisting with the negotiation or mediation process and appearing before Court as needed
- Advising on your parental responsibilities and how to ensure the best interests of your children are met
- Advising and guiding on child support matters
- Advising in relation to child support assessments
- Preparing or reviewing binding child support agreements
- Helping you navigate co-parenting challenges
- Pursuing the enforcement or variation of existing parenting orders
- Assisting to obtain urgent recovery orders or manage relocation issues
- Guidance through parenting disputes that involve domestic or family violence
Our process
We’ve carefully constructed our process to ensure that all Wollongong families receive the guidance and support they deserve. We want to get to know you and your family’s unique situation, so we can achieve the best outcome for you.
1. Initial consultation
Our first meeting will allow us to get to know you and understand your individual circumstances. We’ll discuss your current situation, what’s in the best interests for your children and what your priorities are. From there, we can provide an idea of your legal options.
2. Case assessment and strategy creation
After our initial consultation, we’ll complete an in-depth assessment of your case. We’ll look at all the details, from safety and relocation concerns to communication issues. This will allow us to develop a solid legal strategy to best serve you and your children.
3. Negotiation or family dispute resolution (if possible)
In some cases, parenting issues can be resolved through negotiation or family dispute resolution. This means you reach an amicable solution without having to go to Court. Our team can help facilitate this process.
4. Preparation of documents
If you’re able to reach an agreement, we can take care of all necessary legal documentation for you. This includes ensuring that parenting plans and consent orders are accurate, fair and legally sound. We can also apply to the Court for parenting orders, if necessary.
5. Court representation (if required)
If you’re unable to reach an agreement, our Wollongong team can represent you in Court. Our expert lawyers will advocate for your children’s best interests and a fair outcome for you.
6. Finalisation of case
A key part of the process is making sure that your parenting arrangements are enforceable. We can formalise all documents to finalise your child custody case. We can also complete any follow-up steps, if required.
7. Ongoing support
We’ll continue to be available to you should you need any further support or advice. We can assist if your ex-partner is failing to observe the agreed parenting arrangements. We can also help review and amend the agreement should your or your children’s circumstances change over time.
Where you’ll find us in Wollongong
Watts McCray Family Lawyers Wollongong are located at:
Centretown Plaza, Suites 8 & 9, 128-134 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500
Getting here by public transport
Our office is just a short walk from the Wollongong Railway Station, which is serviced by frequent NSW TrainLink South Coast line services from Sydney, Kiama and nearby suburbs. From there you can take the free Gong Shuttle (routes 55A and 55C). This convenient loop service connects the station to the CBD, including key destinations like Wollongong Central, TAFE and local beaches.
Several bus routes also run along Crown and Keira Streets. These are easily accessible and drop you just a block from our office.
Parking options
We offer up to two hours of free appointment parking. Additional public parking is also available on street, with many spaces metered during business hours. There’s also additional public parking nearby at the Wollongong Central Multi-Level Car Park and at the P3 Purple Car Park via Kenny or Keira Street.
FAQs
Parenting matters can be complicated. Emotions are heightened and parents may not always agree on what’s in the best interests of their children.
An experiencedlawyer who understands the complex nature of family law can make all the difference. We’re able to work with you to make the process as smooth as possible, while putting the children first and working towards a fair outcome for all.
Legal fees vary and will depend on the complexity and time required to finalise your case. At Watts McCray Wollongong, we strive to be fully transparent about our fees and any other costs to you.
Following our initial consultation, we’ll outline the scope of the work we’re able to provide and the estimated costs so you know exactly what to expect.
We always strive to achieve an amicable resolution between parents because we know this is the simplest and most cost effective way forward, as well as generally being best for children. We do this by helping with the negotiation or family dispute resolution phase of the process. However, we also recognise that an amicable agreement isn’t always possible.
If the parents are unable to agree, then you may need to apply to the Court for a parenting order. In this case, you will need to go to Court. However, we can help by attending with you and supporting you throughout the entire process.
The Family Law Act puts the child at the centre of all child custody matters, by making the best interests of the children the focal point of any decisions. Typically, and absent any domestic violence or concerns about safety, having time and a relationship with both parents is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
The Family Law Act no longer uses the term “joint custody” but it is still important to consider whether the parents should jointly make long term decisions for the child, or if one parent should make some or all of these decisions alone.
Of course, there are certain situations where sharing parental responsibility of a child is not the best option. For example, if there are any safety concerns for the children or for one parent, or if there’s been a significant communication breakdown.
There are a number of factors that the Court will take into account to decide what’s in the best interests of the children, and where they should live to achieve that. These include:
- What arrangements best promote the safety of the child, in light of any history of family violence
- Any views the child might express, dependent on the child’s age
- The needs of the child
- The capacity of each parent to meet the child’s needs
- Anything else that is relevant to your own child
Situations change, families evolve and children grow. And in the same vein, parenting agreements don’t have to stay the same forever.
Should your or your children’s needs change, get in touch. Our Wollongong team can review your existing situation and parenting arrangements. From there, we can devise a strategy to amend the agreements, if that is considered best for the child.
There are many reasons why a parent might want to relocate from Wollongong. They may get a job promotion or want to be closer to extended family, for example. While relocation is possible, there are some legal implications.
If the move will impact the other parent’s time with the children, they must either get consent from that parent or seek the Court’s approval. Regardless of which side you’re on, we can help.
Contact our Specialist Family Law Team
Do you have a question about family law or relationship law?
Contact us today, and a member of our team will get back to you soon.
Contact our Specialist Family Law Team
You can contact our divorce lawyers to assist you with the divorce process.
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