Arrangements for Children

When parents separate, working out where children live and how much time they spend with each parent is the most important, but can often be the hardest part of untangling a shared life. Most families can agree this between themselves, but sometimes it helps to have someone else involved.

We can help you with questions of parental responsibility, which may depend on whether or not you were married to the other parent, or who is named on the birth certificate. There are other issues to consider if the child was born as a result of assisted conception. Separate issues arise for step-parents as well, and we can advise you on where you stand.

Wherever possible, we help you agree arrangements without going to court. A plan you’ve reached together tends to work better for your children in the long run than one that’s been imposed on you. Where agreement isn’t possible, we’ll guide you through the court process, to achieve certainty as to where your children live and how much time they spend with each parent.

Whatever route your case takes, your children will have their own emotional response to what’s happening. We keep that at the centre of our advice, helping you reduce conflict and build a working relationship with your child’s other parent for the years ahead.

Agreeing arrangements between yourselves is almost always better for your children than having a court decide for you.