Services
Parenting
Discover more about the various parenting legal issues that Ko Lawyers can assist you with. If you’re uncertain about the specific category your concern fits into, feel free to schedule a consultation. Our team is here to guide you through your unique circumstances.
Children and Parenting Arrangements
All parents have parental responsibility for their children. This means that each parent must be involved in making major long-term decisions in their children’s lives such as education, health and religion. This is regardless of whether the parents are married, never married, separated or have never lived together. After parents have separated, the Family law Act 1975 encourages agreement between parents concerning the best interests of a child. This agreement, outlined in a parenting plan, includes how much time the children spend with each parent.
Child Support
Child support refers to the financial obligation imposed on parents to contribute to the costs of raising their children following a separation or divorce. This typically involves a monetary payment made by the the parent that the child does not live with, to the parent the child lives with to assist with expenses such as education, healthcare, and general living costs. The amount of child support is usually determined by specific guidelines that take into account the income of both parents, the number of children, and the children's living arrangements. The objective of child support is to ensure that children receive adequate financial support from both parents, promoting their wellbeing and reducing any economic disparity between households.
Paternity
Paternity refers to the legal recognition of a person's status as a child's biological father. Establishing paternity is crucial as it directly impacts various aspects such as child support, who the child lives with and how much time the other parent spends with the child, and inheritance. It can be established voluntarily at the time of birth or later through a court order, typically involving DNA testing. Once paternity is determined, the father assumes legal responsibilities towards the child and may spend time with the child. The ultimate aim of establishing paternity in family law is to safeguard the child's best interests, ensuring they have emotional and financial support from both parents.
Adoption
Adoption is a legal process that establishes a parent-child relationship between individuals who are not biologically parent and child. This process permanently transfers all legal rights and responsibilities from the child's biological parents to the adoptive parents. At Ko Lawyers, we play a crucial role in facilitating this process, guiding prospective adoptive parents through the often complex legal requirements and procedures. We also help with necessary documentation and ensure that the adoption is conducted in the best interests of the child. Our ultimate goal is to create a legally secure relationship that supports a loving and stable family environment for the child.
Surrogacy Arrangements
Surrogacy arrangements involve a legal agreement where a woman, known as the surrogate, carries and delivers a child for another person or couple, known as the intended parents. These arrangements can be complex, often involving intricate legal and ethical considerations. At Ko Lawyers we can provide guidance to both parties through the legal intricacies, helping draft and review surrogacy contracts, ensuring that all legal requirements are met, and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved. We can also facilitate the legal process of transferring parental rights from the surrogate to the intended parents after the child's birth.
Fertility Law
Fertility law deals with the legal issues surrounding assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, and sperm or egg donation. These processes often involve complex legal considerations regarding parental rights, contractual obligations, and ethical guidelines. At Ko Lawyers, we can provide invaluable assistance including helping clients understand their legal rights and responsibilities, drafting and reviewing contracts for surrogacy or egg/sperm donation, and providing guidance through any potential disputes or legal complications that may arise.
Relocation
Relocation refers to situations where a parent wishes to move to a new location with their child following a divorce or separation. This can be a complex issue, as it may impact established parenting arrangements and the non-relocating parent's time with the child. At Ko Lawyers, we help our clients understand the legal implications of relocation, assist in negotiations with the other parent, and represent them in court if necessary. We can also help in preparing compelling arguments for or against the move, considering factors like the child's welfare, the reason for relocation, and the potential impact on on the right of the child to spend time with the non relocating parent. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that any relocation aligns with the best interests of the child.
Parenting Plans
A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines how divorced or separated parents will continue to care and provide for their children. It typically covers aspects such as living arrangements, education, healthcare, and visitation schedules. As specialist family lawyers, we play an important role in helping our clients draft a comprehensive and enforceable parenting plan. We help our clients understand their rights and responsibilities, negotiate terms that are in the best interest of the child, and ensure the plan complies with legal requirements. If disputes arise over the parenting plan, we can also provide representation in court. Our ultimate goal is to foster a cooperative co-parenting environment that prioritises the child's welfare and maintains parental rights.