When a previously loving relationship deteriorates to the point of failure, significant difficulties can arise. This is particularly the case where there are young children involved since you likely want to protect them from the fallout. As such, Australian family courts will often insist that a child contact service be involved. If you need child contact services, what do you need to know?

Protect the Young

Very young children are impressionable. If they are exposed to harm when the relationship breaks down, they can carry this damage for years ahead. Unfortunately, it can often take many months or even years for dispute resolutions to make their way through the court system. In the meantime, the parents will still need to care for the children, but the court needs to know how they'll handle it.

Enter the child contact service. This is an impartial agency, with trained staff who are sent to supervise the time that each party spends with the children. They will observe the interaction and provide reports that they send to the court to help in the eventual resolution.

Watching for Issues

These staff members will be concerned with the welfare of the child during each visit. However, they will also report how each adult behaves, whether they show up on time for the visit or interact acceptably with the child.

If the relationship has dissolved to the point of conflict, argument or potential violence, then the work of the contact service agency is even more important. The agent will be on the lookout for any inappropriate behaviour and will certainly provide evidence to the court, prompting even more stringent measures. Conversely, if they see that there is no evidence of bad behaviour and that such a situation may be a false allegation by one party, they can report appropriately.

Providing Evidence

Remember, a heated divorce may involve the word of one party against the other. It's not unusual for an individual to allege impropriety, violence or antisocial behaviour just to try and move proceedings along. In this case, the client contact service can be an impartial witness and generate evidence for the court one way or another.

Getting Further Information

You may be liable to get in touch with and subsequently pay for a client contact service in this situation. If you need any advice to help you move forward, contact a family law service and ask for some input.