Our parenting arrangements lawyers provide practical, child-focused guidance to help you establish clear, workable arrangements that support stability and reduce ongoing conflict.
If you are going through separation, your family will be experiencing a range of emotional and practical challenges. We understand that when children are involved, these times become particularly sensitive.
At Hamilton Thomas Lawyers, we work with you to develop parenting arrangements that prioritise your children’s needs and daily routine, and minimise disruptions to their daily life. Where needed, we formalise agreements to reduce ongoing negotiation and provide structure, consistency, and long-term certainty for your family.
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Practical, clear advice across all areas of family law, from first questions to final resolution.
Clear guidance through separation, protecting your rights and helping you plan your next chapter.
Strategic advice to secure a fair division of assets and protect what matters most to you.
Practical solutions focused on your children’s best interests while reducing conflict.
Advice on financial support obligations so you understand your entitlements clearly.
Compassionate legal support to keep you and your family safe, with urgent intervention orders when you need them most.
Understanding your rights in a de facto relationship, whether separating or protecting what you’ve built together.
20+ years combined family law experience. You speak to senior lawyers from your very first call.
Why choose us
We’re not transactional lawyers. We aim to be another branch of your support network.
Work with senior family law staff with an exclusive focus on family law for better outcomes.
Clear advice, honest costs and no surprises, from your very first call.
Based at 59 Koornang Road, Carnegie, we provide a local point of contact for Melbourne's south-east families.
We aim to get you out of the legal system as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Getting started
Three simple steps to getting expert family lawyers on your side.
01
Meet our Carnegie team, discuss your situation and explore your options — no obligation, no jargon.
02
We match you with the right lawyer and build a tailored plan around your goals and circumstances.
03
We guide you to a fair outcome so you can move ahead with clarity and confidence.
When it comes to your children, getting it right matters more than anything. Our family lawyers will help you reach stable, practical parenting arrangements that keep your kids’ best interests at the centre of every decision.
Parenting agreements can be formalised in two ways:
(1) Parenting Plans are written agreements about the child/children that are signed by the parents. It deals with who the child shall live with, how they will spend time with the other parent and parental responsibility. These agreements are flexible and may be more appropriate for children who are very young, and arrangements are likely to change over a short period of time. However, parenting plans are not Court Orders, and the consequences for breaching a parenting plan are not the same as per Court Orders.
(2) Court Orders are Orders that are sealed by the Court. If a Court Order is breached by either parent, the Court can enforce consequences. Court Orders can be made by consent (without the need to attend court) or made by the Court if there is a dispute relating to parenting arrangements.
Deciding on the best parenting arrangements following separation requires careful consideration and advice on the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
No, but written agreements such as parenting plans or consent orders help reduce misunderstandings and provide clarity about each parent’s responsibilities.
You are generally required to attempt family dispute resolution before applying to court, unless an exemption applies. If unresolved, the court can make arrangements in the child’s best interests.
Yes. Arrangements can be updated by agreement or by court order if there has been a significant change in circumstances affecting the child.
At Hamilton Thomas Lawyers, we know that even with formal arrangements between parents for child support, additional costs are sometimes shared between the parents for the benefit of your children. Sending money between each other’s bank accounts is one option; some parents like knowing exactly where their money is going. Helping solve this problem is HelpPay.
An Australian company with a free-to-download app to share bills, with all payments going directly to the company that issued the bill, not a personal bank account. By providing a few details about a bill, HelpPay creates a link and a payment page to share the bill and pay it. HelpPay provides transparency for parents: anyone with the bill link can see what the bill is for, how much is owed, when it is due, and when payments are made.
Receipts are also sent to the person paying after each payment. Download HelpPay’s app for free at helppay.com.au/download. Please note that your child support obligations/rights are complex, and you should promptly seek independent advice following any separation. If you need further assistance in managing your parenting matters after separation, please get in touch with our Melbourne team of parenting arrangements lawyers, based in Carnegie.
Based in Carnegie. We see clients in person or online, whichever suits you.
