Making arrangements for your children after a divorce or separation can be extremely challenging, as you might have differing opinions on what is in their best interests. Where you are unable to reach an agreement with your former partner, you may need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order.
Child Arrangements Orders also known as Child Custody Agreements are made by the court to decide various aspects of your child’s upbringing, such as with whom they will live, how much time they spend with both parents and what type of contact will take place.
If you are unsure whether making an application for a Child Arrangements Order is right for you, our expert Solicitors and Lawyers will be on hand to provide the support you need.
Unable to reach an agreement? You may need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order.
Our team will make sure that we deal with all issues arising out of your divorce, including child arrangements, financial settlements or domestic abuse.
Our expertise with Child Arrangements Orders
At Taylor Emmet, we have been recognised as having one of the leading Family Law teams in the Sheffield City Region and beyond by The Legal 500.
Our expert team has substantial experience in dealing with applications for Child Arrangements Orders. As such, we understand all of the concerns and questions you are likely to have about the process and are aware of the steps we can take to achieve the best outcome for you and your children – no matter how complicated or emotionally charged the situation.
We understand that deciding to apply to court for a Child Arrangements Order is not an easy decision. Our team will be on hand to deliver tailored advice and support throughout the process.
How our Child Arrangements Solicitors and Lawyers can help
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
If the court is to make a Child Arrangements Order, you and your partner will need to demonstrate that you have attempted to reach an agreement using out of court dispute resolution, or the court has to be satisfied that it was not appropriate, for example, if there has been domestic abuse.
Usually you will need to demonstrate, as a minimum, that you have attended a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM). A MIAM is a meeting with a qualified mediator to determine whether, rather than making an application to court, mediation would be a more suitable option for resolving your dispute.
We can provide clear advice about MIAMs and carefully explain what you can expect from the process, so you are well-informed and understand how they can be of benefit to your personal situation. If you continue with mediation, we will provide advice and support alongside the mediation process.
Applying for a Child Arrangements Order
Our team will work with you to establish what arrangements are best for your children and where possible, provide the help and support you need to negotiate a quick and amicable agreement.
In cases where you are unable to come to an agreement with your former partner over arrangements for your children, we can work with you to help you make an application to court for a Child Arrangements Order and represent you at hearings. If necessary we will take any urgent steps required in the children’s best interests.
Additional court orders
In some cases, other alternative court orders might be appropriate for you and your children, such as a Specific Issue Order, in the event you cannot agree on important matters, for example, which school your children will attend.
A Prohibited Steps Order can also be obtained to prevent your ex-partner from doing something that is not considered in the children’s best interests.
Enforcing a Child Arrangements Order
If your former partner is refusing to follow the terms of a Child Arrangements Order, it is important that you understand the options available to you.
The first step will often be to try to resolve the issue through negotiation with your former partner. However, if this is not possible, an enforcement application to the family court may be necessary. Our Child Arrangements Order Solicitors and Lawyers can help you with both of these steps.
Amending a Child Arrangements Order
As time goes on and the needs of your family change, there is a possibility that an existing Child Arrangements Order is no longer appropriate. It is possible to have the terms of an order changed, either through a voluntary agreement or by an application to court.
Our team can work with you to carefully review the terms of the order, why it would be appropriate to make an amendment and what the implications for doing so are likely to be. We can also provide clarity over whether certain changes to a Child Arrangements Order are likely to be approved by the court.
Changing a child’s name or taking them abroad
If you are considering moving with your child abroad, or even going on holiday, you need the agreement of everyone who holds Parental Responsibility for them. The same applies to changing a child’s name.
If no agreement is forthcoming or if you are concerned that your child may be taken abroad, or have their name changed without your consent, our specialist Solicitors and Lawyers can assist. If necessary, we can make an application on your behalf to the court for permission to take a child abroad or change their name, or to stop this happening.
