Child Custody & Support

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent has the stronger legal argument. Courts look at stability, care arrangements and, for children of sufficient age, the child's own wishes.

Wise Counsel advises parents on custody, visitation and maintenance, and represents them where agreement cannot be reached.

What we help with

• Advising on how custody is decided and what the court will consider
• Preparing custody applications and supporting evidence of care arrangements
• Negotiating parenting arrangements and visitation schedules
• Calculating and claiming child maintenance
• Applications to change custody or maintenance where circumstances have changed
• Enforcing custody and visitation orders that are not being complied with
• Advising where one parent intends to relocate abroad with the child
• Representing parents in contested custody hearings

Arrangements agreed between parents almost always work better than arrangements imposed by a court. We push for agreement wherever it is safe to do so.