A Parenting Through Separation programme is being dubbed a helpful initiative for separating parents.

Tauranga's Bush Forbes partner Chris Forbes says sweeping changes have been made to the New Zealand Family court process.

Bush Forbes partner Chris Forbes.

The changes came into effect on March 1, 2014.

'Parents who are separating and are unable to reach agreement on the care arrangements for their children, will need to attend both the Parenting Through Separation Course and Family Dispute Resolution before they can make an application to the Family Court.

'The Parenting Through Separation programme is a very helpful and provides advice for parents about how the separation may be affecting their children and on ways to ensure the children's needs are supported at the time when parents are separating.”

Chris says legal advice for parents at this time can be very important and is available through family lawyers.

'If a parent is on a low income they may be eligible to receive legal advice and from lawyers who have a contract with the Ministry of Justice.”

A funding eligibility calculator is available through the Ministry of Justice.

'If the parents are not eligible for government funding they can contact any family lawyer and will have to pay for that advice themselves.”