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After negotiating or litigating Parenting Orders, it is not uncommon that one party finds the Orders are not working for them. A common question we receive at Hume Taylor & Co is \u201cCan I vary my Parenting Orders?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In most cases, the answer is no. However, if you can demonstrate to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (\u201c<\/span>the Court<\/span><\/i>\u201d)\u00a0 that there has been a<\/span> significant<\/span><\/i> change of circumstances, you may be able to vary your pre-existing orders. This blog will outline possible situations which may be grounds for reopening a case, and explain the case law that supports this position.<\/span><\/p>\n Rice v Asplund<\/b><\/p>\n Your lawyer may cite the case of <\/span>Rice v Asplund (1978) 6 Fam LR 570<\/span><\/i> to you when discussing the threshold to reopen your matter. This was the leading case in determining the law relating to varying an existing Parenting Order. One must demonstrate there has been a <\/span>significant<\/span><\/i> change of circumstances, or, there was vital information unavailable at the time the Orders were made.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The principle in <\/span>Rice v Asplund<\/span><\/i> is used to deter people from continually changing their minds and becoming perpetual litigants, which wastes the Courts\u2019 sparse resources. The rule in <\/span>Rice v Asplund <\/span><\/i>is designed to protect children, not to assist parents. Chief Justice Evatt stated the Court \u201c\u2026 should not lightly entertain an application\u2026 to do so would be to invite endless litigation, for change is an ever-present factor in human affairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Family Law Act 1975 (\u201cthe Act\u201d), <\/span><\/i>specifically section 65D(2), gives the Court the power to discharge, vary or suspend part or all of existing Orders. The Court\u2019s paramount consideration is the children\u2019s best interests when evaluating their care and welfare. The Court does not consider exposing children to protracted litigation is in their best interest.<\/span><\/p>\n Common grounds that may give rise to a variation of an Order include one party relocating, a parent completing rehabilitation from an addiction which previously prevented them from having a meaningful relationship with the children, or circumstances where one party has persistently breached the orders without reasonable excuse.<\/span><\/p>\n Contravention Proceedings<\/b><\/p>\n It should be noted if a party does persistently breach Orders, the other party can first issue Contravention Proceedings. Contravention Proceedings can lead to a range of penalties for the offending party. The penalties can be as minor as being required to offer make-up time or can be as serious as a term of imprisonment. The penalty will largely be decided by the explanation given by the offending party for the breach. If the Court deems the excuse to be <\/span>reasonable,<\/span><\/i> then the penalty will be less severe. If the breach is deliberate, the penalty may be more severe.<\/span><\/p>\n