Legal

Parenting alone or sharing parenting can be stressful and sometimes family law information can be useful in deciding whether there may be some legal options that support creating new structures in changing family relationships. Our articles give you basic information everything from guardianship and access to maintenance and to what to expect if you go to court. There is also information on alternative dispute resolution such as mediation or collaborative law.

Guardianship
There have been some changes in relation to legal guardianship of children with information on who can become a legal guardian of a child and how to apply.

Download Guardianship – PDF

Maintenance of Children
A guide to maintenance for those either looking for maintenance for their child, or paying maintenance to their child’s other parent.

Download Maintenance – PDF

Alternatives to Court

Mediation

Going to court is not the only way of working out arrangments for access or maintenance.  Mediation is another way of helping parents reach an agreement, with the support of a trained mediator.  This process can help separating parents to co-operate and work together for the benefit of their children and therefore help to minimise conflict.

Download Mediation – PDF

Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law is an alternative dispute resolution process and can be beneficial in family law matters such as parenting arrangements, separation and divorce. In this context you and your child’s other parent, or your former partner meet face to face with specially trained solicitors to discuss important matters with the goal of reaching a mutually agreed resolution.

Download Collaborative Law – PDF

Passport Applications for Children

Download Passport Applications for Children – PDF

Birth Registration

Download Registering the Birth of Your Baby – PDF