Parenting Arrangements and Child Support
Parenting after separation can be challenging, but with preparation, it’s not impossible. As family lawyers we strongly encourage parents to ensure they think about the following:
Establishing temporary parenting arrangements
Establishing temporary parenting arrangements is crucial in providing stability for children during separation. A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents concerning childcare, which is not legally enforceable but serves as a guide and the aim should be to do what is in the best interests of the child – factors such as the child’s age, needs, special requirements, logistics, cultural considerations, the child’s views, and safety should be considered.
Calculating and managing child support payments
Calculating and managing child support payments is a crucial step to meet children’s needs. The Australian Government’s child support calculator estimates payments by considering taxable incomes, number and ages of children, and the time children spend with each parent. Additional factors such as multiple child support arrangements or receiving income support payments may influence child support liabilities or entitlements.
Updating personal information and documents
Refreshing personal information and documents forms a vital part of the separation process. Here are some of the documents and steps you should take:
Changing Contact Details
Changing contact details is vital to ensure proper communication during separation. You need to notify Medicare, Centrelink, and the Australian Tax Office of any change in contact details following separation. Updating mailing addresses for those who are moving is crucial, as well as ensuring details on driver’s licenses and passports are current.
It’s also important to inform children’s schools, doctors, and accountants of the new contact details to maintain continuity of services and communication.
Reviewing Insurance Policies
You may need to review insurance policies and ensure they reflect up to date information to account for any changes in personal circumstances, such as removing one party from the policy. This includes insurance for house, contents, motor vehicles, private health, and pet insurance. This helps to prevent unsubstantiated claims being made.
Securing Important Documents
Securing important documents is an essential part of the separation process. It’s crucial to secure all important official documents to avoid any potential issues with the legality or access to these documents. Key official documents to compile include:
- Marriage certificates
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Bank statements
- Insurance policies
- Car registration
- Business papers
- Property documents
Once gathered, these documents should be kept in a safe location such as a safety deposit box, fireproof safe, or with a trusted legal advisor to ensure they are protected and accessible when needed.