Difference between revisions of "Changing Family Law Orders and Agreements Involving Children"

Changing Family Law Orders and Agreements Involving Children (view source)

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 When considering applications like these, both the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' and the ''[[Family Law Act]]'' require the court to consider the best interests of the child rather than the needs or interests of the parties.
+<span style="color:#D2691E">'''Important changes'''</span> <br />
+Under the changes to the ''Divorce Act'' that took effect on 1 March 2021, "custody" is now known as ''decision-making responsibility'' and "access" is now known as ''parenting time'', for people who are or used to be married to each other, or as ''contact'' for other people.
+Judges also now have a long list of best-interests factors to take into consideration when making decisions about children. The factors include things like the history of the children's care, the children's views and preferences, each spouse's plan for the care of the children, and the extent to which each spouse will support the children's relationship with the other spouse. Family violence is another factor, and when family violence is present, the ''Divorce Act'' now includes a list of additional factors for judges to consider, including the nature and frequency of the violence.
 ===Vague parenting schedules===