Children
Kids are our number one priority. Their welfare is paramount to us as they are the most vulnerable parties in the break-up of a home. We work hard to ensure they are not used as weapons in the fallout.
We ensure court action is a last resort in cases involving children. Whether you are a mother, father, resident or non-resident parent, a primary carer or even a grandparent, we will support you through the process of resolving issues that affect them as separation or divorce unfolds. If your case does proceed to court, you can be assured that we can attend on your behalf, so you do not have to face that experience yourself.
In emergency situations where one parent has removed a child from home and refuses to return them, there are emergency applications which can be made. CALL US NOW on 01756 798200 if you need help with this.
We encourage you to discuss and agree on arrangements for your children in the short and long-term, but if you and your ex are not able to agree, here are some of the orders we can help to apply for:
Parental Responsibility Order
All mothers automatically have parental responsibility. A father usually does if he’s either married to the child’s mother or listed on the birth certificate, after 1st December 2003.
If not, Parental Responsibility can be acquired by a formal written agreement with the mother or by Court Order.
This covers “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property.”
Child Arrangements Order "Lives with" Order (formerly know as a Residence Order)
This legal order confirms who the child/children will live with. It replaces custody, residence, contact and access orders.
This can be made in favour of either parent or as a Joint Residence Order in favour of both parents, or even a grandparent, for example.
A person having a Residence Order for the care of a child/children automatically acquires legal parental responsibility.
Child Arrangements Order "Spend time with" Order (formerly known as a Contact Order)
This confirms who the child/children can spend time with. It replaces contact and access orders.
It can specify the time your child can stay in different households and can also cover contact by letter, telephone or apps like FaceTime or WhatsApp.
It can be drafted to either be very specific or more flexible, allowing everyone to make practical arrangements.