A parenting plan is a written agreement between parents about arrangements for their children. It’s flexible and easy to update, but it isn’t legally enforceable, meaning if one parent stops following it, there’s no direct legal consequence built in.
Consent orders are filed with and approved by the Court, which makes the agreement legally binding without needing to go through a full hearing. If one parent breaches consent orders, the other can apply for a contravention application, which can result in penalties, makeup time, or in serious cases, a change to the arrangement.
Many parents start with a parenting plan because it feels less formal and less adversarial, which is understandable. The risk is discovering, often during a moment of conflict, that it offers no real protection. If you want an arrangement that’s genuinely enforceable, particularly in a situation with any history of conflict or distrust, consent orders are usually the safer choice. We can advise on which is right for your specific situation.