Turner: Family Court process a perverse incentive

Family Court statistics showing parenting rights are usually granted to whoever applies to the Court first, is a glaring symptom of a process that systematically cuts one parent out of maintaining caring relationships with their children, according to UnitedFuture family spokesperson, Judy Turner.

"These stats say that if you go to Court first, you will get sole custody of the kids - particularly if you are the mother. What kind of perverse incentive is that?

"These 2005 figures show that only 14% of children enjoyed a shared parenting arrangement through a joint-custody order from the Courts, but shared parenting orders should be the norm, not the exception," says Mrs Turner.

"I have the figures for the year to February 2007. Parenting orders recently have further decreased the chance that children will continue to be cared for by both parents after separation.

"The figures show that mother gets the kids in 64.5% of cases. The father is awarded care of the children in only 11.5% of cases. Sadly, shared parenting is granted in only 12.2%.

"The Care of Children Act was meant to put children's interests first. Wide ranging international studies show that children who continue to have shared parenting with both parents are better socialised, happier and have better family relationships than those who are cared for by only one parent.

"Shared parenting should be the default position for the Court when both parents want to continue caring for their children. It's better for the kids and their families."

Mrs Turner believes that if shared parenting became the norm, far fewer children would be dragged through the Court process.

"Parents are less likely to go to court if they realise that at the end of proceedings, they are likely going to have to put the kids first and sort out a shared arrangement with the other parent," says Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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