Children

Children

Your children are our priority. First, last, and always

When there are children involved, separation becomes even more tricky. Where will they live, who will support them, how much time will they spend with each of you? Thanks to our experience in this area, we are well placed to address your concerns with sensitivity and understanding.

At heart we’re a child-centred law firm

Liaising with you closely, our friendly team of professionals prides itself on going the extra mile to find practical solutions. We can help you sort about living arrangements, how and when children spend time with other parents, schooling and other issues. We are a child-centred law firm, which means children are our priority.

We offer support and advice along with a range of solutions to help separating parents find the best arrangements for their children. Among them are mediation or collaborative law, and we can help you prepare a parenting plan and avoid the conflict of court proceedings. Alternatively, our solicitors can support you at court in the event of a dispute which can’t be resolved. The team here are experts at dealing with Children Act cases including disputes about living arrangements, relocation abroad, health and other issues.

Is court necessary?

Our aim is to help you reach an agreement about your children, so you avoid the anxiety, upset, and expense of going to court. Unfortunately disputes occur that make going to court necessary. It’s a complex process and there are different types of court order, but we can be with you at every stage making sure your voice is heard and wishes are taken into account.

“I was looking for help to clarify the details of a child arrangement order and further advice relating to an enforcement order. BBL provided efficient, accurate, positive guidance, quickly getting to the heart of the matter without wasting valuable appointment time.”

What can the court do?

The court can make orders regulating who the children live with, and the time they spend with the other parent. They can make orders about specific issues such as schooling or holidays. The court can investigate cases of parental alienation, or cases involving domestic abuse. We can obtain disclosure from the police or Children’s Services and represent you at fact finding hearings.

Increasingly courts also seek evidence from other experts including guardians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and family therapists.

Can the court enforce orders for children?

If one parent breaks a court order, the court can enforce it. This depends on how seriously the order was breached. The law and the courts are here to protect your children. The last thing anyone wants to do is add further stress to the situation, but at the same time, the court expects people to comply. In appropriate cases the court can order fines, unpaid work or even imprison people.

What is Parental Responsibility?

Parental Responsibility (PR) is the legal right of a parent to be involved in their child’s life. It includes having the right to information about your child’s upbringing, making decisions about your child’s education, and being involved in decisions such as where the child can live, what medical treatment they receive, and whether they can be taken out of the country for a holiday. Those are just a few of the many decisions a parent with parental responsibility will be expected to make.

All mothers automatically have PR. PR doesn’t automatically extend to fathers. An unmarried father who is not on their child’s birth certificate doesn’t automatically have parental responsibility. For a father, PR can be acquired by applying to the court or completing a written agreement with the child’s mother.

PR can also be granted to a step-parent or a guardian. In some cases, the court can remove parental responsibility.

Make sure you’re part of your child’s future

We can help you manage parental responsibility issues, so you remain actively involved in your child’s future. Divorce and relationship breakdown can be difficult for everybody, but especially for children and it’s important to put the best arrangements in place to ensure they’re protected, and you’re involved. Which is where we can help. For expert, empathetic advice, please contact us in complete confidence.