Speak to our experienced children solicitors today for clear, sensitive advice on child arrangements, parental responsibility and other children law matters. Call 0800 086 2929, email info@elitelawsolicitors.co.uk or complete our Free Online Enquiry Form to book a free initial consultation.
Relationship breakdowns can be especially challenging when children are involved. However, it is important during this emotional time to ensure that the needs of any children are carefully dealt with.
During divorce and separation, a comprehensive agreement on the care of children will deal with:
- Where the children should live and with whom (residence)
- The arrangements for contact (access) between the children and the parent with whom they do not live
- Responsibility for maintenance (child support)
At Elite Law Solicitors, our goal is to help facilitate agreement between parents on all of these issues – whether our job is the protection of fathers’ rights, the rights of grandparents or the safeguarding of the mothers’ interests. If agreement is impossible, we will seek a formal Court order.
Our experienced family law solicitors represent clients based all over the UK.
If you would like to discuss your circumstances with an experienced member of our team please call us on 0800 086 2929, email info@elitelawsolicitors.co.uk or complete our Free Online Enquiry Form to arrange a free initial consultation.
How Our Children Solicitors Can Help With Child Arrangements
When two parents no longer cohabit, or if they have never lived together, it is important that there is an agreement on where their child or children will live, and how often the non-resident parent will have access to them.
Contact between a child and an adult can come in many different forms including:
- Direct face to face contact
- Indirect contact (letter writing or sending cards)
- Supervised contact (this can be at a contact centre)
- Overnight contact
- Contact via electronic means (Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime and email)
It is often difficult to come to an arrangement that satisfies both parents, especially when this involves parents having extended periods of time without contact with their children.
If you are struggling to come to a suitable arrangement regarding your child, the first step is to try mediation. We can advise on this process, letting you know what to expect and helping prepare you for your Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). If mediation is not suitable for you, it may be appropriate to seek a Child Arrangements Order at Court. The Child Arrangements Order will regulate the contact arrangements for the child.
These orders determine when and for how long a child resides with each parent, taking into account the child’s wishes, welfare, and their emotional and educational needs, as well as the suitability of each parent for meeting those needs. Should you be considering this option, it is important to seek advice from qualified and accredited children solicitors to ensure you are fully aware of your rights and legal options.
Specific Issue Orders
Specific Issue Orders are another type of order that can be sought from Court, to resolve a specific question or scenario. A Specific Issue Order can address sensitive topics like whether a child should have a religious or non-religious education, whether they should have a particular medical treatment, or whether they should change their name.
Prohibited Steps Order
Similar to a Specific Issue Order, a Prohibited Steps Order prevents a parent from taking an action that the Court deems to be detrimental to the child’s welfare. This can range from taking the child to live permanently abroad to preventing an individual from having contact with the child.
Special Guardianship Orders
A Special Guardianship Order is put in place when a child cannot live with their birth parents. It appoints an individual as a “special guardian” to the child, conferring parental responsibility on them and giving them many rights to make decisions on the child’s behalf while giving the child security and stability.
Parental Responsibility
Parents and special guardians have what is called “parental responsibility” – the right to decide certain decisions on behalf of a child. When more than one person has parental responsibility for a child (for example, their two parents), these individuals must agree on the decisions made for that child. Decisions can include where a child lives, how they are educated and whether they can leave the country. If the parents cannot agree and mediation does not work, these decisions can ultimately be decided by the Court.
Specialist Children Solicitors: Book Your Free Initial Consultation
If you require legal advice or assistance in relation to any of the areas mentioned above, we will be happy to assist you. We have a wealth of knowledge and expertise and can provide you bespoke legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
One of our experienced children solicitors will have an initial consultation with you to discuss your situation in more detail. Once we understand your circumstances better, we can provide you with a clearer understanding of how we can help you. We will also provide you with a price quotation and a choice of funding methods at the outset.
Call us today on 0800 086 2929, email info@elitelawsolicitors.co.uk or complete our Free Online Enquiry Form to book your free initial consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
