Aug 11, 2020 | Family Law
Grandparents are very special people in children’s lives and play a significant role in family law matters. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) contains provisions allowing grandparents rights in relation to their grandchildren.
Rights of Grandparents under the Family Law Act
The Family Law recognises that children have the right to maintain regular communication with people who are considered important to their welfare, care and development. However, this does not mean that grandparents do not have an automatic right to spend time with their grandchildren.
Unless there are allegations of abuse or violence, it would be unusual for the Court not to make an order for a child to spend time with their grandparent. Among the factors that the Court will consider is the nature of the relationship between the grandparent and child including whether it is ongoing and of significant value to the child. In some cases, it may be necessary to apply for access or custody of grandchildren where the parent is:
- Unwilling to care for the child;
- Unable to provide for or care for the child; or
- Lacking the capacity to care for the child.
Alternative Dispute Resolution options
Through mediation or settlement negotiations with your children and their spouse, you may be able to reach mutually agreed arrangements about the time you spend and communication you have with your grandchildren. The agreement you reach can be included in a written agreement called a Parenting Plan which is between your children and their spouse. A Parenting Plan is not legally binding or enforceable but will be considered by a Court, if there are later difficulties.
Applying to the Court
If you have been prevented from seeing your grandchildren, you are able to rely on the Family Law Act 1975 to apply to the Court seeking orders in relation to spending time with your grandchildren, including communication with them, or in some circumstances seeking an order that they live with you. As a grandparent, you are able to do this despite the parents of the children being together or separated.
What often occurs when a family relationship breaks down is that the grandparents will only be able to spend time with their grandchildren when their son or daughter is spending time with them. The Family Law Act 1975 recognises the importance of children having a relationship with their extended family members including grandparents, however, what is in the best interests of the child will remain the Court’s priority.
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We know that the divorce process can be strenuous for both parties. If you would like more information on how we can assist you with your property settlement matter or any other family law matters, do not hesitate to contact us on 9963 9800 or via our contact page.
Jan 18, 2020 | Family Law
If you are a grandparent and face the sad circumstance of a break up in your family group, due to separation or unforeseen events, you may be worried about your right to continue seeing much-loved grandchildren. Unfortunately, some grandparents only see their grandchildren at crowded school events or from the sideline at sporting occasions. In Australia, grandparents have unique legal rights to approach courts to obtain orders which allow them to spend time with their grandchildren.
If you have concerns about the welfare of your grandchildren, you may need guidance about how to help protect them.
What Rights Exist for Grandparents?
When it comes to Family Law, grandparents do have some rights. The law’s focus is on the well-being of the child. That includes a child’s right to know and have contact with both parents and others seen as significant for their care and development, including grandparents. However, it is important to note that grandparents do not have an automatic right to spend time with their grandchildren; rather they have standing to seek orders from the court.
Parents who are separating often make plans for the future care of their children informally, and will agree on where their children will live. Some may draw up a written parenting plan setting out their arrangements for caring for the children. They can make this more formal by registering it with the courts in consent orders.
If you are concerned about your future contact with your grandchildren, you can ask to be included in such plans if they are being drawn up. If you can’t agree with separating parents about your future contact with the children, you can apply to the courts for parenting orders yourself.
Are Rights Automatic?
Grandparents do not have automatic rights to see their grandchildren. However, amendments to the law have given them recognition and status. The courts emphasise the importance of children having contact with as much of their wider family as possible and of growing up feeling part of an extended and supportive family group. Others with a close ongoing relationship or who can show they are involved in the children’s welfare can also apply to the courts for parenting orders.
Twenty years ago, in a case where a grandmother had applied to be allowed to have contact with her grandson, the judge stated that “we live in troubled economic times and by way of example, in 20 years’ time, the child may have need for finance in establishing a house, in purchasing a car, in any number of areas. The more people that are loving and close to him and can help him, who feel an obligation towards him, the healthier it would be for the child.”
An order may enable you to have some visits or communicate with your grandchild, perhaps by phone or email. It will be up to the court to decide what should happen, based on what it thinks is in the child’s best interests. Although you have a right to apply for parenting orders, this does not mean the courts will necessarily decide in your favour.
What is the Process?
The law requires that families first attend family dispute resolution or mediation before going to court. An independent person trained in helping families discuss their differences will try to help everyone come to an agreement.
If mediation fails, you will need legal advice before going to court and you will need a certificate from an accredited dispute resolution practitioner to show you’ve attempted mediation before you can take court action. You also need to find out how strong your case is, what forms and documents you will need to lodge with the court to support your case (these are called affidavits), what orders you should ask for, which court is better to start the case in, and the costs of taking legal action. Even if you decide to represent yourself in court, it is recommended to get legal advice about how to prepare your case. You must remember that the child’s best interests are always the first priority. You will also need to consider the practicalities of being able to implement any arrangements you wish to make.
Grandparents can sometimes get involved and can apply to the Children’s Court to have the children placed in their care.
You can apply to court for your grandchildren to live or spend time with you whether their parents are together or separated. You will not need a certificate of dispute resolution if there is a fear of violence or the matter is urgent, or a party cannot take part in mediation because of a disability.
In cases where there is strong parental opposition to court orders sought by grandparents, a court appointed family consultant may be required to prepare a family report for submission to the court, to assist the court in deciding whether to grant a parenting order for the grandparent.
Contact Us
If you are concerned about your grandchildren’s welfare for any reason, or know people who are, please call us on (02) 9963 9800 or via our contact form.
