Equal shared parental responsibility on separation is presumed to be equal for your children. If there are risks such as domestic violence, abuse, neglect and difficultly in communicating then this may not be in your child’s best interest. Sole parental responsibility can be agreed on but if you cannot agree it needs to be ordered by the Court.

This is one of the first decisions that needs to be made or considered by the Court. If parental responsibility is equal the starting point of time for children to spend with each parent is then to be equal ie shared care. It is a the starting point only.

It is important to make sure parental responsibility is considered carefully, at the beginning, to ensure the best interests of your child is determined correctly.

Get good advice and get it early!