Whenever a divorce occurs, it is in everyone’s interests, that the matter of the children is negotiated and agreed upon amicably. This is a pivotal role that family lawyers have when such as scenario arises, but as any of them will tell you, if their clients refuse to agree on the parenting arrangements, a court will most likely make a parenting order.

Parenting orders should always be seen as the last resort, as not only can they create a situation that neither parent is 100% happy with, there are also the additional legal costs that a court process involves.

The perfect scenario is when, despite them separating and proceeding with a divorce, the parents remain on reasonably friendly terms. If that applies particularly to their desire to protect and care for their children, then even better. What they can then do is create a parenting plan which they both agree to and commit to abide by.

As with any agreement which is simply made amicably, this is not legally enforceable, so should one of the parents decide that they are going to diverge from it in some way, then there could be a problem. Notwithstanding that, this is still the simplest and cheapest way to proceed.

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