Child support in Australia – what you need to know and statistics by Watts McCray Family Lawyers
In most cases, parents and other family members understand the need to put a child’s safety and emotional well-being first. Parental responsibility and living arrangements for children in separated families (formerly referred to as “child custody”, “residence”, “contact” or even “access”) need to be considered and decided upon following a relationship breakdown. By law the best interests of the child are always the most important consideration.
Where a child will live, how often they spend time with each of their parents, the sharing of special event days such as birthdays, Christmas, and school holidays, and how parents make decisions about the care of their children once separated, are all issues of great importance which should be included in any agreement about children. The role that grandparents, step parents, and other important people in the lives of children must also be considered, and appropriately addressed according to the law.
I went to Marshall Davis Brown to weigh my choices before deciding to conceive (since I’m not married, I was confused what the options were). I think it’s good to set up a contract that is drawn up by a lawyer you trust before entering into any sort of family-related contract, and to make sure they’re a great and reputable lawyer. There is too much that can go wrong in these kind of situations.