Child custody( Parenting order) steps in Family Court process

What are the steps in the Family Court or the child dispute process?

People need to know  what is involved before starting this process.  It can be a long  journey to conclude a case.

Below are possible steps in the process:

• Application for parenting order made
• Referral to counselling made
• Round table meeting (with lawyers and parties)
• Judicial conference ( with Judge)
• Mediation conference
• Lawyer for child appointed
• Report(s) from Child Youth and Family
• Report(s) from a psychologist (optional)
• Defended Hearing – orders made

We will advise you on your options, empower you on the tools available and give you expectations on the time and cost of your case.

At any stage you can try to settle your matter out of court including negotiation or mediation.

How long will the steps in the process take? (See also Relocation)

• The quicker and cheaper (!) option is to agree out of court.
• Cases of average complexity may take 4-8 months to conclude.
• Only 1% of cases go to a full hearing.  These cases can take 9-18 months.

Email  jeremy@jeremysutton.co.nz or call me free on 0800 486 267