Mums get custody in 60% of cases despite new laws ~ 15% of child custody disputes result in 50-50 split: Family Court

David Schetzer from the Law Institute of Victoria knows best what children want as he states below they don't want to change houses every week. In that statement he sums up all that is wrong with legal people and their know-it-all attitude. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation people just write what these self-styled experts say without any thought to actually ask a child or better yet a whole lot of children to see if having both parents in their lives is better. It is frustrating to see such silly unsubstantiated drivel from people who should know better - or at least you would think they should.MJM





Figures released by the Family Court of Australia show a small percentage of child custody disputes resulted in a 50-50 split.

Changes were made to family law in 2006 forcing the Family Court to consider evenly divided custody between parents.

The Family Court has released figures of parenting orders and an analysis of the shared parental responsibility.

Of 1,448 custody disputes finalised in the court in the past financial year, only 15 per cent resulted in the parenting being split 50-50.

The figure was 19 per cent in cases where parents came to an early agreement.

In 60 per cent of cases, the Family Court made orders that the children spend more than 50 per cent of time with their mother.

In 17 per cent of cases, the Family Court made orders that the children spend more than 50 per cent of time with their father.

David Schetzer from the Law Institute of Victoria says in many cases equal custody is not what is best for the children.

"I think simplistically if you were to ask yourself would you be prepared or would like to live in one house for seven days of the week and another house for another seven days of the next week you might very well conclude that that is not in your best interests," he said. He says it was unnecessary to introduce laws relating to equal parenting arrangements in child custody disputes.

The figures do not take into account orders made in the Federal Magistrates Court.

15pc of child custody disputes result in 50-50 split: Family Court - ABC News (Australian Broadcast Corp. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/24/2524641.htm?section=australia
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