4 Important Reasons to Change Parenting Orders

Significant Reasons to Change Parenting Orders

Parenting orders play a vital role in establishing clear guidelines for the care and welfare of children after parents separate or divorce.

However, life is dynamic, and circumstances can change, necessitating a review and potential modification of these orders.

Let’s explore the key reasons for changing parenting orders and the process involved.

The primary reason to seek changes to parenting orders is a significant change in circumstances directly impacting the child’s welfare and best interests. These changes can include:

• Relocation: A parent needing to move for work, family, or other reasons.
• Safety Concerns: Issues like domestic violence, substance abuse, or neglect.
• Children’s Developmental Needs: Adjustments to reflect the child’s growth and changing needs.
• Parental Cooperation: Ongoing conflict or difficulty in co-parenting effectively.

🔑 Key Takeaway: Changes in parenting orders are considered when a significant shift in circumstances affects the child’s best interests and well-being.

Legal Framework for Changing Parenting Orders

To change parenting orders, parents must navigate a legal process that prioritises the child’s best interests. This process typically involves:

1. Mediation: Attempting to resolve disagreements and reach a mutual agreement.
2. Legal Advice: Consulting a family lawyer for guidance on the legal process.
3. Court Proceedings: If necessary, applying to the Family Court for an order variation.

🔑 Key Takeaway: The legal process for changing parenting orders is designed to protect the child’s best interests and requires careful consideration.

The Rice and Asplund Threshold

A critical aspect of changing parenting orders is the Rice and Asplund threshold. The Rice and Asplund threshold refers to a legal standard used in family court cases regarding the modification of parenting orders.

This threshold sets a high bar for changing existing parenting arrangements. To meet this threshold, the party seeking modification must demonstrate a significant and material change in circumstances since the last court order was made.

This principle is in place to prevent continuous litigation and ensure stability for the child.

🔑 Key Takeaway: The Rice and Asplund threshold safeguards against frivolous changes to parenting orders, ensuring stability for the child.

Steps to Change Parenting Orders

Changing parenting orders is a process that requires careful navigation through several key steps:

1. Discuss with the Other Parent: The first step is to communicate with the other parent to see if you can mutually agree on the changes needed. This discussion should be approached openly and focus on the child’s best interests. It can be documented in the form of a new parenting plan or consent orders if you can reach an agreement.
2. Seek Legal Advice: Whether you reach an agreement or not, consulting with a family lawyer is crucial. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and the implications of proposed changes and guide you on the best course of action. They can also assist in drafting new orders or a parenting plan that reflects the agreed changes.
3. Attend Mediation: Mediation is the next step if you cannot reach an agreement directly with the other parent. Mediation involves a neutral third party who helps facilitate discussions and negotiations between you and the other parent. It’s a less adversarial approach and can lead to a mutually acceptable solution without going to court.
4. Court Application: If mediation doesn’t result in an agreement, or if the situation is such that mediation isn’t appropriate, the next step is to apply to the court for a variation of the parenting orders. This involves presenting evidence to the court to demonstrate that a significant change in circumstances has occurred and that altering the orders is in the child’s best interests. The court will then review the application and decide based on the child’s welfare.

🔑 Key Takeaway: Changing parenting orders requires a structured approach, starting with negotiation and potentially leading to legal proceedings.

Seek Professional Legal Advice

Changing parenting orders is a significant step that requires careful consideration of the child’s best interests and the legal framework.

Understanding the reasons for change, the legal process and the steps involved is crucial for parents seeking to modify these orders.

Always seek professional legal advice to navigate this complex area effectively.