Keep the Holiday Season Joyous – Reduce parenting issues by seeking arrangements well in time.
Deadline for filing of Parenting Applications for the holiday season is fast approaching.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia imposes a deadline for the filing of parenting applications that relate to the holiday period beginning in December.
Pursuant to rule 5.03 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021, an interim parenting application relating to whole or part of the school holiday period must be filed before 4:00pm on the second Friday in November (of the application year). For 2024, the cut off date is 4:00pm Friday 8 November.
Negotiating school holidays and special occasions with your former partner or co-parent may be difficult following separation. To ensure that children have the opportunity to spend meaningful time with both parents and extended family, engaging in difficult conversations and negotiations in relation to these matters, and the upcoming holidays, may need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Often, people leave these arrangements for the last minute, resulting in “unhappy” families over the Festive Season.
Accordingly, you may have to consider and come to arrangement in relation to a range of dates and times during the holiday season, including but not limited to:
- Christmas Eve;
- Christmas Day;
- Boxing Day;
- New Years Eve;
- New Years Day;
- Australia Day;
- Commencement of School;
These special occasions all generally fall within the respective State gazetted school holiday periods, and should be considered well in advance of the commencement of the holiday season.
If you are unable to reach agreement with the other parent regarding the holiday season, you may need to seek Parenting Orders from the Court. You must still comply with the Rules of the Court and the Pre-Action Procedures, which include an attempt to resolve the matter prior to making an Application to the Court.
Our dedicated Family Law Team specialise in navigating the complexities of children’s and parenting matters. We strive to assist in keeping you informed and ready to navigate these issues and in turn have a holiday season free of the stress of unresolved parenting arrangements.
If your application is made after the cut-off date you are not guaranteed a listing date prior to Christmas! Do not wait until it is too late – get in touch with the Family Law Team at Marino Law today!
Article by Casandra Laurie.
