Calm, strategic support for contested allegations, urgent risks, and safety-focused court or negotiation steps.
Family Law
Domestic & Family Violence
Domestic & Family Violence
If there is domestic or family violence, safety comes first. We help you understand the legal protections available and take practical steps to reduce risk, protect children, and stabilise your situation.
We can assist with urgent options, safety planning from a legal perspective, and the flow-on impacts on parenting arrangements and family law negotiations.
Understanding Parenting Arrangements
Parenting arrangements set out how separated parents will care for their children, covering aspects like:
Parental Responsibilities:
Parental responsibility refers to all the duties, powers, responsibilities, and authority that parents have in relation to their children, as defined in section 61B of the Family Law Act 1975. It includes making major long-term decisions about the child’s welfare, such as:
- Education
- Health and medical care
- Religion and cultural upbringing
- Living arrangements that significantly affect the child’s development
- Name changes
Living Arrangements:
- Where the children will live and with whom.
- How time will be shared between parents.
- Day-to-day care and supervision.
Communication and Contact:
- How parents will communicate with each other regarding their children, and how they will communicate with their children while the children are in the care of the other parent.
- Arrangements for the involvement and contact of extended family members.
Handover Arrangements:
- When, where and how the children will move between each parent’s care.
Schooling, School Holidays, Travel and Special Occasions:
- Plans for schooling, how school holidays are shared, rules for local or overseas travel, and how time is spent on special occasions like birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s and Father’s Day.
Others:
- Parents can agree on their own tailored arrangements based on what works best for their children and unique family situation.
Courts consider the Family Law Act 1975, prioritising children’s safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing. The aim is to encourage cooperative parenting where possible while protecting children from harm.
We can help with
- Domestic violence protection orders (DVOs) and related processes
- Evidence preparation (messages, incidents, third-party material)
- Responding to allegations and navigating cross-applications
- Parenting arrangements where safety is an issue
- Practical next steps where there are urgent risks or breaches
If You Are in Immediate Danger
Call emergency services (000). If you’re safe but need legal guidance, we can help you plan the next steps quickly and carefully.
Common Questions About Domestic & Family Violence
What should I do first if there’s domestic or family violence?
Safety comes first. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000. If you’re safe, the next step is getting calm, practical legal guidance - so you can reduce risk, protect children, and stabilise your situation. We can help you map out urgent options, safety planning (legally), and what to do next.
Can you help with a DVO, and what evidence should I prepare?
Yes. We can assist with Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) and related processes, including urgent steps. Evidence matters - not just what happened, but how you can show it: messages, incident timelines, screenshots, photos, witness/third-party material, and other records. We’ll help you organise it clearly and strategically (not as a “dump” of everything).
How does domestic violence affect parenting arrangements and family law negotiations?
In family law, the child’s best interests and safety are the priority. If there’s evidence of domestic violence (physical, emotional, financial control, coercive behaviour), it can change parenting outcomes - including supervised time, restricted contact, or no time in serious cases. It also affects how negotiations are handled, especially where there are allegations, cross-applications, urgent risks, or breaches. We’ll help you respond carefully and protect your position.
Why Choose Honest Grace Legal?
We provide practical, compassionate support for people facing domestic or family violence. Our strengths include:
Safety-first guidance
Clear advice on urgent protections, risk reduction, and steps to help stabilise your situation.
Evidence and strategy support
We help organise messages, incident records, and third-party material into clear, usable evidence.
Steady Strategic Advocacy
Meet Our Family Law Team
Get to know our dedicated legal team, committed to guiding you with expertise and care.