Child Arrangements
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What are Child Arrangements?
If you divorce or separate from your partner and you have children together, you’ll need to agree where your children live and how much time they spend with each of you. This is called making ‘child arrangements’.
Child Arrangements are either agreed by the parents or ordered by the Court if an arrangement cannot be mutually agreed.
How can an agreement be reached?
We often find that parents, or other adults who may be involved, are able to reach an agreement and avoid involving the court. This is usually the best solution as everyone is part of the decision-making process, and it saves time, money and potential bitterness that going to court might cause. Our fixed fee ‘Know where you stand’ meetings are incredibly useful here as after attending the meeting and digesting the follow up letter, you’ll feel better prepared to approach these conversations over child arrangements and financial arrangements over the kitchen table or via Mediation.
If it is hard to reach agreement, we can suggest other help or assist in the negotiations with the other parent or their lawyer – more difficult arrangements are often resolved in this way. If an agreement remains impossible, we can help with making an application to the court for a Child Arrangement Order.
Child Arrangement Orders
A Child Arrangement Order is made under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989. The Section 8 Orders are;
– Order that a child lives with you (formerly known as custody or residence order)
– Order that a child spends defined time with you (formerly known as access and contact)
– Prohibited step orders – e.g. preventing the removal of a child from their carer, their home or the country
– Specific Issue orders – e.g. which school a child should attend
Family Law at Amphlett Lissimore
The Family law team at Amphlett Lissimore are all members of Resolution, which means we are committed to resolving family disputes in a non-confrontational manner. As members, we encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family – and in particular the best interests of children. We also offer advice and tips on Parenting after Parting, an initiative developed by Resolution, which our Family Law partner Liz Edwards, was closely involved in its set up.
If you would like to discuss making arrangements for your children following a separation, contact our expert team on 020 8771 5254 for a free initial assessment of your legal matter.
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If you would like to discuss our family law services or book an appointment with us, please get in touch, or request a callback.