NOTICE ALERT IN LIGHT OF COVID-19
WHAT WE PROPOSE AND HOW WE CAN ASSIST
At Watson & Watson our clients come first. Please be assured of our continued dedicated services to all current and new clients.
As we have done in the past, we will continue to offer alternative conferencing methods ie video conferencing, skype or telephone conferences. Reviewing of all documentation provided to us prior to any initial conference will be all inclusive of our set fee. Do not hesitate to contact Shereen Da Gloria on (02) 9221 6011 should you have any concerns.
08/06/2020
The current Coronavirus pandemic has had a dramatic and immediate effect on our way of life. Many people have in place parenting arrangements which may not be able to proceed and may make compliance with Court Order difficult or impossible to be carried out as they previously had. The new reality with Court Orders: When a Parenting Order has been made each person affected by the Order must comply with the Order. If the Orders are not being complied you should seek legal advice.
Issues are arising daily. What should you do?
The Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia has prepared a guide for separated parents and a copy of that report is referenced in this article.
In normal times if there was a contravention, a person may seek legal advice, attend a family dispute resolution centre or apply to the Family Court of Australia or Federal Circuit Court for a change of the orders to accommodate the practical difficulties in implementing the Orders or apply to change the Orders to deal with the changed circumstances. Watson & Watson are able to provide advice as to how to deal with these issues and can provide that advice by telephone or Skype conferencing.
A person contravenes an Order if he or she:
When a Parenting Order is made each person affected by the Order must comply with the Order and this includes taking all reasonable steps for example, making sure that if an Order requires a child to spend time with the other parent that the child does spend time with the other parent.
If the Family Court or Federal Circuit Court finds that a person has failed to comply with an Order, the Court will also determine whether or not in the circumstances, the person had a reasonable excuse for the contravention of the Order. Reasonable excuses might be established if:
Penalties can be imposed for failing to comply with a Parenting Order and those penalties can include:
At Watson & Watson our experienced Family Lawyers can assist you in relation to parenting orders and contact issues whether you are intending to seek parenting orders for your child/children or the other parent of your child/children is in breach of parenting orders. Please do not hesitate to contact Richard Watson Senior Family Lawyer or Shereen Da Gloria his Personal Assistant to discuss your matter and seek advice sooner rather than later.
This is only a preliminary view and is not to be taken as legal advice without first contacting Watson & Watson Solicitors on 9221 6011.