Conflict following separation is a negative for both you and your children. You may dread receiving emails or texts from your former partner following separation. There may be sense of shock every time you see his or her name come up on your screen for fear of what new accusation there may be against you. Changeover times for the children may be full of stress and tension for you having to deal with your former partner.
One of the “mantras” of the Family Law Act is best interests of the children. Best interests is the paramount consideration guiding a Court when determining what should be the care arrangements for children. We would probably all agree that best interests includes keeping children out of any conflict between parents following a separation. And not only for the sake of children. Continuing conflict with your former partner can also keep you from being able to move forward with your life. It can erode your confidence over time and leave you feeling isolated from friends and family. Sadly, you may find an escalation in conflict with your former partner as you seek to resolve your family law issues following separation. That is not an uncommon experience but the good news is that tensions often settle down after you have finalised the division of property or care arrangements for the children.
In the meantime though, it is important that you do what you can to reduce conflict with your former partner and the stress that that can cause for you and your children. Often, that conflict is seeded in tensions that developed during your relationship and has a long and complex history. It may be that truly resolving that conflict would require real change in both you and your former partner. Where you are separated, you need to be realistic then about what you can achieve. Since you can’t change your former partner, any reduction in conflict is going to depend upon change in you and your approach to the conflict.
We prefer to meet you in person but are happy to have a telephone consultation if this suits you. At an initial consultation, we will take some particulars from you so that we can provide you with advice about the likely outcome at family law for your particular circumstances and estimated costs if you wish to proceed further.
Free Phone Consultation: (07) 3506 3651
