Combined Property & Parenting Orders

Combined consent orders address property settlement and parenting arrangements in a single, integrated legal document. Instead of separate applications, you receive one comprehensive set of legally binding arrangements that recognises how these matters influence each other.

Why Integration Makes Sense

Family separation involves interconnected challenges that don't neatly separate into “property” and “parenting” categories. Combined orders recognise these connections and create arrangements that work together.

• Housing & stability — children's need for stable housing directly relates to property settlement decisions
• Financial capacity — each parent's position after settlement affects their capacity to maintain appropriate housing and meet parenting responsibilities
• Geographic considerations — property decisions directly impact practical parenting arrangements and children's access to schools and activities
• Timing — property settlement can be coordinated with transitions in parenting arrangements

Benefits of the Combined Approach

Handling everything together creates better outcomes for families — both practically and financially.

• One application, one fee — a single legal process instead of separate property and parenting applications
• Faster resolution — addressing everything together often results in faster overall resolution
• No risk of inconsistency — combined orders eliminate the risk of property and parenting orders working at cross-purposes
• Informed trade-offs — parents can make considered trade-offs between property and parenting arrangements

Common Combined Arrangements

Combined orders allow families to plan comprehensively for post-separation life. Some common arrangements include:

• Delayed sale — the family home remains unsold until children finish school, with one parent having exclusive occupation
• School zone preservation — property arrangements prioritise keeping children in their current school zone
• Asset allocation based on childcare roles — the primary caregiver may receive a larger share of income-producing assets
• Staged implementation — property and parenting arrangements are introduced in coordinated stages to minimise disruption

Is a Combined Application Right for You?

Combined orders are ideal for most separating families, but there are situations where separate applications may be more appropriate — for example, if there are urgent parenting concerns that need immediate attention, or if property matters are unusually complex. Our eligibility check will help determine the best path for your situation.