Child Custody - Care of Children & Parenting Orders

The Care of Children Act 2004 came into force on 1 July 2005. It is the first major reform of private law affecting children and families in 36 years.

The legislation introduced a change in terminology. The terms “custody” and “access” have been replaced by “day-to-day care” and “contact”.

The Family Court now make parenting orders which specify which parent (or other person) has the child/ren in their care at certain times.

If you are a parent of a child/ren and the existing care arrangements are not satisfactory, then you are able to seek legal advice to assist you in formalising arrangements either by agreement or through a parenting order.

There may also be occasions where a new partner, or grandparents, wish to apply to be joined as an additional guardian and again we are able to assist with those applications.

"The welfare and best interest of the child must be the first and paramount consideration" Care of Children Act, 2004.

Explore more in this section:

• Adoption
• Applications under the Protection of Personal Property Rights Act
• Child Custody - Care of Children & Parenting Orders
• Child Custody - Relocation
• Child Support
• Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage)
• Domestic Violence
• Estate Litigation – Family Protection – Testamentary Promises
• Guardianship
• Relationship Property
• Paternity
• Spousal Maintenance

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