CityLife Magazine Second Quarter 2020

PARENTING
IN A PANDEMIC
IN TIMES OF CRISIS,
PARENTS HAVE TO
WORK TOGETHER
LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
NARDINE COLLIER
Nardine Collier is an accredited
Specialist in Family Law, a Family
Law Mediator, and Director of
Collier Family Lawyers and Cairns
Mediations.
: 0428 526 568
: (07) 4214 5666
: nardine@collierlawyers.com.au
: www.collierlawyers.com.au
I say it all the time, co-parenting after
separation is very hard, but I have just
seen it become even more so in the face
of so much uncertainty and fear. Things
are changing daily and parents are
understandably very concerned about
the safety of their children in this crisis.
Here are my top tips for Parenting in
a Pandemic (taking some inspiration
from the Family Court/Federal Circuit
Court recent release for parents/carers
on their website).
#1 – Follow existing arrangements
and in particular court orders, as
best you can, while you can. Strictly
following court orders may no longer
be possible; for example, the handover
place you have been using is now closed.
Many state borders are also closed. So
find a practical solution – a different
place. Extra time next school holidays.
#2 – Have sensible conversations
NOW - not only about your ability
to comply with current orders; but
what will happen in the event of a
lockdown. Try to adopt a practical,
“common-sense approach”, that
keeps to the ‘spirit of the orders’; but
most importantly always considering
the safety and best interests of your
children. The best outcome for your
children is if you can work together
to vary arrangements so that children
maintain contact with each parent in a
safe way.
Record any agreements about new
parenting arrangements, in writing.
#3 – Try to understand the
concerns of the other parent
when negotiating new or revised
arrangements. If you are proposing
the other parent’s time with the child is
restricted, unless they can understand
your concerns, they will be opposed
to what you suggest. Be mindful that
your idea of what is ‘safe’ in this new
world may not be the same as the
other parent. What can you do to find
CityLife LAW
a solution? If you are the parent who
wants to keep the children with them,
look at arranging extra contact with the
other parent such as Skype, Facetime
or telephone. Perhaps ‘make-up’ time
could be considered, if appropriate.
#4 – Mediation is still a great
option. The court website advises that
if parents are unable to agree they can
make an on-line application to vary
existing orders, however unless it is a case
involving family violence, child abuse or
is urgent, parents are still required to
make a genuine effort to try and sort it
out their dispute through family dispute
resolution (mediation) before filing an
application for parenting orders.
If you do file an application don’t
expect the court will be able to act
quickly except in urgent cases or where
the court considers children are at risk.
The court is operating in very difficult
circumstances and can only deal with
priority matters.
#5 – Get advice. Not just from your
lawyer but from health professionals,
schools etc. Be up to date with the
latest government advice, it might have
changed overnight.
Unfortunately I foresee many
situations arising where there will be
no agreement, where one parent feels
they have had a care arrangement
imposed on them by the other parent.
This is why it is important to talk about
these issues now. You don’t want to be
having these conversations in the panic
of a lockdown. (At the time of writing
this article there has been no such
announcement but the indication is, it
could happen).
Finally, a plug for KEEP IT IN
CAIRN$ (#doitwithalocal) campaign.
Every single person in Cairns will have
been affected by this virus. We all know
someone who is now out of work. If we
can spend every dollar locally we help
keep businesses open and locals in jobs.
• All Family law matters
• Affordable Rates
• Flexible Payment Options
• Family & Workplace Mediation
• Wills
Nardine Collier
M: 0428 526 568 P: (07) 4214 5666
www.collierlawyers.com.au
CityLife 45 Magazine