Changing a Parenting Plan
A parenting plan can be varied at any time by the parties by entering into another parenting plan. This can be completed without the assistance of a lawyer.
Changing a Parenting Order
An existing parenting order can be changed in 2 ways:
If agreement is reached between the parties then the parties could enter into a new parenting plan (unless there is a court order preventing this) or a new court order by consent.
The change does not have to be in relation to all of the existing parenting order. The change could be in relation to just one part of the existing parenting order.
The above situations deal with where there is agreement between the parties.
Where there is no agreement to change the existing parenting order then the person requesting the change must show that there has been a significant change in circumstances since the parenting order was made.
Significant Change in Circumstances
When final parenting orders are made those orders are on a final basis. The courts are reluctant to change existing orders unless there are some changed circumstance which would justify such a serious step.
The applicant must show that:
Once a significant change in circumstances is established then the standard procedure will apply in relation to determining what parenting orders to make.
That is, the same pre-action procedure is required to be complied with. In determining what new orders (if any) will be made, a court will adopt the same framework in determining the existing parenting order.
Example of Significant Change in Circumstances
The following has been held to be a significant change in circumstances:
“I wish to thank you for all your efforts on our behalf. Simply thanking you doesn’t cover the difference your help has made, not only to our lives, but importantly to the long term prospects for [name of child removed].
The work you have put in and, I believe, the emotion you invested, goes way beyond the solicitor-client contract. We are enormously grateful.”
[Name of grandparents in Brisbane removed, 19 June 2020]
This case involved both family law and domestic violence.
“Dear Duc and the staff at Freeman Lawyers
Your dedication to clients and the hard work you’ve done for me almost daily has not gone unnoticed and will never be forgotten.
This went on for me for a long time and thank you for all the hours and work you put in to win this for me and [name of child removed].
I always had complete faith you would deliver me the best outcome.”
[Mother/Wife in Brisbane, June 2020]
Experience, insight and commercial sharpness are just some of the qualities that make Freeman Lawyers successful. Applying these qualities to the individual circumstances of our clients lead to consistently good results and client satisfaction.
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