If a non-resident parent moves a considerable distance away…

I was just somwhat disappointed that I was provided with no further information that could have been gained from other free services, or general reading of current family law. I had hoped for perhaps some guidelines for visitation arrangments that ac ourt would consider to be fair in the circumstances and in the best interest of the child.

Thank you for providing the website. I will take a look and see if I can gain gather ideas of what would be reasonable proposals.

At this stage I am thinking that fortnightly visits at the non-resident parents house (requiring 5hrs travel each way) would not be in the child best interest - considering that on Friday pick up could not be until 3:15pm (after school arrival at 8:30ish pm) and given that the child would need to be back with the resident parent in time to allow a reasonable bedtime in preperation for school (say 5pm - requiring a pick up at 12pm) That just seems like a lot of travel fortnightly for only 1 full day of contact?

Our current orders state fortnightly visits and 1 week of each school holidays. Since the non-resident parent moved, visits have dropped back to about once a month - but the travel was taking the toll on the child and disagreements about travel arrangements have occurred. The child was not in school at this stage either - this will be even more of a consideration once he starts school.

I was thinking that fortnightly visits could continue occur - if in the vicinity of the child's home - so as not to burden him with excessive travel. And contniue with the 1 week per school holiday arrangement.

Or if the non-resident parent can not visit fortnightly and remain in the vicinity of the child's home that contact would be limited to 1 week of each school holidays.

This would still allow a meaningful relationship to be developed.

I have no problem with the fortnightly contact - my concern is with the excessive amount of travel that creates for such a young child and the financial and time burden this creates for both parents (who both work fulltime)

The child is based in Dorrigo NSW. The father orginally moved to Nambucca, and then Coonabarabran NSW.

There are no direct plane, bus or train services between these towns that would be quicker or cheaper than travelling by car.

I have tried to ask for his input, but he hasn't provided anything other than complaining that I don't share to travel and claiming that I am trying to keep him from seeing his son. When I have suggested that he just stay locally and visit he claims he would have no where to stay that it would be expensive and that it wouldn't allow the child to see his extended family. Unfortunately, he doesn't think that is too much travel to expect the child to have to undertake.

Currently we are not on speaking terms following a very abusive discussion on Friday. This is what prompted me to seek advice on how to best resolve the situation.

Thank you. I have asked for a review and update of the current orders. I will suggest another mediation via our solicitors and see how that goes.

Thanks again.