Child Arrangements Order Solicitors

Where disputes arise regarding children’s living arrangements, it may be possible to resolve these disagreements using family mediation sessions. During mediation both parties are given the opportunity to voice their opinions and needs, attempting to agree on their children’s living arrangements with the guidance of an impartial mediator.

Mediation is often a prerequisite to Court, unless you are eligible for any exemptions, and our team will always attempt out of Court options first. We are able to settle the majority of cases without Court processes, however, our team can support clients through Court processes if necessary.

Collaborative Law is a method used to arrange legal matters and solve disputes. It is often used to support couples discuss matters following their separation, for example, finances and child arrangements.

As part of the process both parties will have a solicitor to represent them. The divorcing couple and their solicitors meet as a group of four, to negotiate divorce related matters, while accessing legal advice along the way.

To learn more about using Collaborative Law to organise your child law matters and financial needs please contact us at Tinsdills.

Where divorcing couples have children, they may need contact with the Child Maintenance Service, to arrange how their children’s living costs will be covered.

Child Maintenance is usually payed by the parent who does not live with the child, or who does not live with them for the majority of the time. Where child care is shared 50/50, neither parent is responsible for paying child maintenance to the other.

If you would like to find out how much child maintenance you are liable to pay, we can direct you to the online CMS calculator. Where there are concerns that you are paying the incorrect amount, you will need to make a referral to the CMS to resolve this.

Separated and divorced couples do not always agree on how their children should be raised, and at times disputes may arise. If parents cannot agree on certain issues themselves, and conflict escalates, legal intervention may be necessary.

Where parents are in dispute about specific issues related to their children’s wellbeing and or/ upbringing, our legal team can help clients to apply for a Specific Issue Order. These orders can be used to settle issues including:

• If a child’s name should be changed or not
• If a child should have certain vaccinations or medical treatment
• Deciding where a child should go to school
• Where one parent is seeking permission to take the child abroad

Where one parent is attempting to make a decision about a child’s upbringing, and the other parent disagrees, we can support the opposing parent to obtain a Prohibited Steps Order.