Relationship breakdown is never easy particularly when a separation will require a change in a child or young person's care arrangements. At Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts our family lawyers have significant experience in assisting our clients with resolving child care issues whether through negotiation, mediation or through Family Court proceedings. We take a conciliatory approach to minimize stress on the parties and to allow the adults involved to focus on the children's needs.

Sometimes our family clients seek only expert advice about their children's care issues.  Often we will suggest that a new client consider counseling as a first step to resolve disputes and we will refer our client to an appropriate counseling service (often a referral to the free counseling available through the Family Court).  If the issues cannot be resolved through counseling or negotiation or if a child's safety is in issue then proceedings may be necessary. If proceedings are necessary an experienced member of our family law team will carefully and proactively represent our client, whether Applicant or Defendant, through the Court process.

We have particular skills in the following areas:

• Court appointments to representing children or young people in Family Court proceedings

• Providing thorough and careful advice about a parent's options in a care dispute, advice about the best way to advance a parent's case and likely outcomes if the issues are put before the Family Court for determination

• Domestic Violence and Care and Protection (CYFS) proceedings

• Urgent proceedings to obtain orders that enhance a child or young person's safety

• Relocation disputes and Hague Convention proceedings

• Child Support issues