October 16, 2018
Children
If you’re a parent and are going through a divorce or separation, one of your priorities is going to be the care of your children. One of your options is to put in place a parenting agreement. This could be a parenting plan or a parenting order.
A parenting agreement is an agreement between parents or carers as to what the care and living arrangements for the child or children will be.
It’s always best when parents are able to reach a mutual agreement that works for all parties and is focused on the well-being of the child.
As part of the family mediation process, you are able to negotiate your own parenting agreement without having to drag out a custody battle in the Family Court.
A parenting plan is a written agreement between the parents regarding arrangements for the ongoing care of the child.
The plan would be signed and dated and reflect the terms agreed between the parents. Although there are some sample parenting plans on family websites, there is no prescribed format and it is not a legally enforceable document.
A mediator can help you to create a parenting plan as part of your mediation.
If you are unable to reach a mutually agreeable parenting plan, you may need to seek a parenting order from the Family Court.
Alternatively, you could use your parenting plan as the basis for parenting orders which could be made by consent. This makes the agreement legally enforceable and binding.
There are several factors to consider when developing a parenting plan. These include:
Relationship Australia has a handy parenting plan checklist that you can download online.
Do you want to create a parenting plan as part of your separation or divorce?
When it comes to family mediation in Perth, Move On can help you move on quickly and affordably.
Speak to us today – call 0418 928 448 or contact us online for an obligation-free and confidential chat.
Accredited Family Mediator in Perth
My commitment is simple—to help keep separated couples out of the Family Court and minimise their need for lawyers, saving them time, money and anguish. Under my guidance, separated couples are able to Move On with their lives through family mediation.
April 17, 2026
Separation & Divorce
Going through a divorce or separation can feel overwhelming. Alongside the emotional toll, there are practical challenges too—especially when you’re trying to financially separate from your spouse and rebuild your life independently. It’s a time where guidance, reassurance and perspective can make a real difference. This article, written by Perth-based family mediator Ian Shann, highlights […]
March 11, 2026
Children
Parenting after separation can feel like uncharted territory. Emotions are often still raw, communication can be strained and trying to co-parent in the traditional sense isn’t always realistic. That’s where parallel parenting has started to gain traction across Australia. More separated parents are turning to this structured approach as a way to reduce conflict and […]
The process was so much quicker and easier than I anticipated – after everything I have heard about lawyers! And it was re-assuring for me to know how much it was going to cost at the start, not when it was all over. Thanks, Ian. I’d recommend you to anyone who wants a solution seeker and quick results.
— Bree F, Fremantle WA
Ian, your patience and persistence really helped us get to an agreement I thought we could never reach. I’d recommend you to anyone who wants to get family issues resolved as painlessly as possible.
— Michael G, Safety Bay WA
Thank you once more for your kindness, wisdom and counsel.
— Georgie N, Wangara WA
Ian worked hard to enable us to reach an agreement. He was always happy to discuss and explain everything we needed.
— Cathy & Steve, Subiaco WA
