Children, Pets & Parents
Families come in all shapes and sizes. We each have our own story.
Children may have very different experiences. What the Family Courts in Australia seek to ensure is that whatever the family structure, children will be safe and can enjoy their right to a secure home as well as access to education and all available health resources.
We have helped families navigate separation, issues with supervision of parents and partners with the goal always first in mind that everyone involved should consider what is best for the children in whatever the circumstances.
Situations can be fraught, rash decisions are made and emergencies arise. If your ex-partner has taken the children, our child recovery orders team in Sydney can help you act quickly and effectively.
Child Recovery Orders Sydney
Parents may take children away for various reasons whether in panic, in fear or just being overwhelmed.
This is when you need someone who knows how to navigate the processes professionally and efficiently so that emotions are defused and everyone can get back on track.
We have helped facilitate the return of children whether on an urgent recovery basis or whether by building a case that the children have a right to spend time with significant members of their family. This may be a parent, a grandparent, aunt or uncle or family members who have had an important role in the child’s nurture.
Case Studies
Sons and Father
Situations may arise where one parent may feel overwhelmed allowing the children to spend overnight time with the other parent after all the disputes and shouting as the relationship broke down. That parent needs reassurance without taking away the rights of the other parent.
We helped two boys to gradually spend more time with their father from supervision at a contact centre to no supervision at all.
It was a tragic case where the father as a young man had been allegedly volatile, dealing with his own psychological concerns. The court needed to protect the children and reassure the mother that they and she were safe.
We immediately referred the father to the appropriate post-separation courses and anger management courses which were completed and became evidence in his case.
Then, by gathering independent third-party evidence from a contact service which witnessed over time, how much his sons loved him and how much the father was making an effort to work with all requirements of the court, mitigating the risk, we were able to argue for a gradual reinstatement of increased time for the boys to spend with the father.
Additionally, we were able to make submissions against any sort of injunction restraining his presence near the school or any areas the boys would be.
Grandparents’ Rights in Family Law
Sometimes a parent may be terrified of their former partner’s new partner who may be involved with drugs and not provide a stable environment.
This is where we have helped grandparents to look after their grandchildren while still allowing the children to spend time safely with their parents.
We represented the grandparents who had been looking after the children as the mother had substance abuse issues coupled with becoming involved with a drug dealer.
We were able to facilitate consent orders where the children could spend time with the mother as long as the partner was not present.
The children are living with the grandparents whom they love, going to school and enjoying being children and at the same time, still have their mother in their lives.
Companion Animals and Family Law (2025 Update)
Pets have become part of our families, especially since their role of companionship became so important during the Covid 19 lockdown.
The Family Law Act has recognised the importance of pets and in the 2025 amendments to the Act, pets are no longer treated as just another asset in the property settlement.
Pets are now termed “companion animals“.
We made sure a very special companion animal was returned to a little girl who has severe disabilities.
Our client’s ex-partner had retained the pet even though it was not his. He had not purchased the pet but more importantly, he did not have the close and personal relationship that was shared between the pet and the little girl. Truly, the little puppy was her companion.
The Court agreed that the little dog was much more than a pet and made orders that the companion animal be immediately returned to our client’s daughter.
It was one of the most rewarding and heartwarming photographs we have received from a client to see her little girl, cuddling her little puppy.
Contact a Child Recovery Lawyer in Sydney
Family Law is complicated and can be highly emotional.
You should not have to face any of this alone.
You need qualified professionals who can navigate the law while always remembering that there are people and families at the centre of every case.
We are here for you.
If you are facing any issues in separation or if your ex-partner has taken the children away, please contact us urgently so that we can put in train everything needed to get them back and help you get things back to normal. Contact our child recovery orders Sydney team today for an urgent and confidential discussion.
Please call us on
1300 936 244
OR
Email us
Related Articles
- My Ex-partner Has Taken my Children. How Can I Get Them Back
- Grandparents and Australian Family Law
- Amendments to the Family Law Act in Australia (2024 and 2025): Key Parenting and Property Changes
This article is for information purposes only and should not be relied on as legal advice.
