All parents face difficult decisions about their children when they separate or divorce. Specialist legal advice at an early stage allows parents to understand their position and all options available to them, including mediation and collaborative law.
Our specialist children lawyers have many years of experience in dealing with family disputes involving children. We are ranked as a Tier 1 team by Legal 500 UK and our team includes members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, accredited Resolution specialists in children issues and Collaborative Family Lawyers.
In most cases, mediation is the first step and is mandatory before court proceedings can be issued. However, if court proceedings are necessary to decide where children live, or who they see, a child arrangements order (formerly residence, contact and custody) may need to be put in place.
Sometimes an unmarried father will not have parental responsibility for his children even though he is the biological father. In these cases, a Parental Responsibility Agreement or Court Order will be necessary.
If parents cannot agree on children’s names, medical treatment or schooling then the Court can decide on these issues if necessary. If one party is considering moving to another country and wishes to take the children with them, they will need the permission of any other person with parental responsibility for those children. If they do not consent, then the Court can decide what is in the children’s best interests.
Children Act (applications by parents) Lawyers