Relationship breakdowns can be a highly emotional time for all members of the family. Parents may need help resolving the parenting and childcare arrangements, including whether parenting will be shared and sorting out an agreement on when the children spend time with each parent.
If a parenting agreement cannot be reached between separated or divorced parents, an application can be made to Court for a Child Arrangements Order. Whether you need help with Solicitor negotiations to reach a childcare agreement or representation in Court proceedings, our experienced Family Law Solicitors can help you reach agreement or guide you through the Court process.
Initial Telephone Discussion
Our highly experienced solicitors will provide expert advice and assist you. Please call us for an initial no-charge discussion to discuss your requirements on 01256 460830 or email us at [email protected].
Our Family Law team understand that it can be frustrating and upsetting if you are unable to have regular contact with your child. This can be even more distressing if an agreement or Court Order has been made but it is not being followed by the other parent.
Our Family Law experts help by listening to you, understanding your concerns and the childcare and contact arrangements you want to achieve.
We can assist in:
- Guiding you on parenting agreements reached directly with your former partner.
- Legal support during the Family Mediation process.
- Solicitor led negotiations to help you reach a parenting agreement.
- Representation in Court proceedings for a Child Arrangements Order.
- Reviewing existing childcare arrangements and negotiating changes or applying to Court to vary an existing Child Arrangements Order.
- Enforcement applications if a Child Arrangements Order is not being complied with. For example, you may be concerned about parental alienation and want to pursue enforcement action.
In most situations, we can help you reach an agreement without you needing to make an application for a Child Arrangements Order or respond to an application. We believe it is best for you and your family if you can reach an agreement and avoid Children Law Court proceedings as that saves you time and money and is less stressful for you. In addition, with a negotiated agreement, you reach your own solution rather than have a Judge impose a decision on you after a contested Court hearing.
A Child Arrangements Order sets out
- Where your children will live – this could be shared care, equal parenting, or the Court could order that the children have one home base and reside with one parent
- The contact arrangements – this could include overnight contact, weekend contact, holiday contact and special occasion contact, such as Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas or birthdays
When making a Child Arrangements Order the Judge will decide what Order is in the best interests of your children. The Court will take into account a range of factors to help it reach a decision. These factors are referred to as ‘the welfare checklist’.
A Child Arrangements Order will last until your child is 16 or, in exceptional circumstances, until your child is 18, or until the Order is varied or brought to an end by another Court Order.
Other types of orders
The Court can make a range of other Orders, such as:
- Prohibited Steps Order – to prevent a parent from acting in a certain way, such as taking the children abroad or relocating.
- Specific Issue Order – to resolve a specific issue in dispute between parents, such as the religion a child should practice or choice of private school.
Whatever the nature of your Children Law issue, our approachable Family Law Solicitors can help you reach a resolution.
Our Fees
Where possible we will offer a fixed fee, so you will know what the costs are from the start. For more complex or uncertain projects, we will provide you with an estimate of the likely fees involved and keep you updated throughout the matter.
How to get in contact
Our Family Law Solicitors are on hand to provide expert advice and assist you wherever you are based. Please call us for a no-obligation, initial discussion to discuss your requirements on 01256 460830 or email [email protected].
Our offices are based in Basingstoke and we assist clients across the country.
Please call us or email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
We aim to keep legal jargon to a minimum and guide you through the process in a manner that is easy to understand.
Our highly-skilled solicitors offer tailored, strategic solutions to even the most complex matters, ensuring you receive the guidance and support you need.
We will be by your side throughout every stage of the process and will provide you with regular updates and advice along the way.
We communicate thoroughly with you from the outset to ensure that we fully understand your individual needs. This allows us to accurately quote for your matter leaving you without any unexpected surprises and fees further down the line.
We provide our clients with a concise and transparent breakdown of costs from the outset of the matter and throughout any subsequent stages. This enables you to build faith and trust in us early on to form a lasting relationship.
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