Assumption: "(Court orders) Every line in my order means the same thing: do it or else."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
People read their child arrangements order as one block of rules and assume every term carries the same weight.
Court Reality
The exact wording matters. A term saying a parent is "expected" to do something has its ordinary meaning and allows some flexibility if relevant matters arise. A term saying a parent "must" or "shall" do something is mandatory, and not doing it is a breach. Read each line and notice which words the court used.
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The Gap?
"(Court orders) Every line in my order means the same thing: do it or else."
Court Reality
The exact wording matters. A term saying a parent is "expected" to do something has its ordinary meaning and allows some flexibility if relevant matters arise.
Seen a gap between what you thought and the reality? Share yours.
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