End of Year, Christmas Cheer, and Important Dates for Separated Families

The Christmas period is fast approaching and with it also appears the seemingly endless list of events and stress inducing deadlines. So too is the filing deadline for applications seeking the Family Courts to make parenting orders during the Christmas school holiday period.

All parenting applications seeking Christmas school holiday orders must be filed before 4.00 pm on the second Friday in November of the application year.

Streeterlaw’s Accredited Specialist in Family Law, Simone Green urges any parents seeking holiday parenting orders, where all other negotiations have failed, to urgently speak with a family lawyer about preparing and filing an Application well in advance of the filing deadline.

Any Parenting Applications filed after the deadline will be heard in the ordinary course, and well after the holiday period has ended, with the exception of urgent cases where an application can be made to the Registry to list the case on short notice. It is important to note that the fact that the holiday period is approaching is not considered sufficiently urgent to ensure that late filed Applications will be heard prior to Christmas.

Making an application to the Family Courts for parenting orders should be a last resort. There are many alternate methods to assist separated parents in reaching agreement by way of a parenting plan or consent order. If you need assistance with any aspect of your separation, our team of experts at Streeterlaw are ready to help. Call us today on 02 8197 0105.