Why do you need a child law solicitor?
When it comes to child matters, such as contact and maintenance, it is always preferable for both parents to come to a mutual and amicable agreement. Unfortunately, all too often, parents are unable to reach an agreement, and where they can, they often do not consider the smaller details of the arrangement they are entering into. This can lead to complications and disagreements in the future.
You may need a child law solicitor to:
- Provide legal expertise, guidance and support so that everything is considered in the best interests of your child (e.g. living, access and maintenance arrangements)
- Ensure that any agreement reached is put in writing and made legally binding
- Find a mutual agreement outside of the court using alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation.
- Apply for an order and represent you in a family court.
- Urgently deal with matters relating to the protection of children
- Advise on the legal implications of adoption and parental responsibility
- Recommend the services of child professionals, including counsellors, psychologists, and other health experts
How can our child law solicitors help?
Our child law solicitors specialise in handling a range of important legal matters, whether outside or inside the court. We understand that legal matters involving children are often urgent and emotionally fraught for those involved. We will act quickly and with care and compassion to ensure that your child is protected and the best possible outcome is achieved for their immediate and long-term future.
In particular, our child law solicitors can assist with:
- Child arrangement order/child custody
- Child maintenance/child support
- Special guardianship order
- Parental responsibilities order
- Prohibited steps order
- Specific issue order
- Child Adoption
Child arrangement order/child custody
A child arrangement order is a document issued by the court that sets out where your child will live and when your child will spend time with each parent. The order may also set out when other types of contact may happen (e.g. video calls/phone calls). Our child law team will ensure that any child arrangement order is fair, properly thought out, and is in the best interests of you and your child.
Child maintenance/child support
Following separation, our child law solicitors will ensure that your child receives the appropriate level of financial maintenance and support to cover their everyday and future living costs. You may be able to agree on child maintenance directly with your ex-partner through the government’s Child Maintenance Service (CMS) or a court order. Your child law solicitor will advise on which is the best route depending on the circumstances of your case, including mediation where appropriate.
Special guardianship order
If a child cannot live with their natural parents and adoption is not possible, it may be necessary to apply for a special guardianship order. If a person is granted a special guardianship order, they will then be responsible for the child until the age of 18. This includes making important decisions about where the child goes to school and the medical treatment they receive. Our child law solicitors will guide you through the process of applying for a special guardianship order.
Parental responsibilities order
Parental responsibilities orders are often used by fathers to gain parental responsibility for their child. This may apply, for example, if they are not married to the child’s mother, and the mother does not agree to them having parental responsibility. The court will decide if it is in the best interests of the child’s welfare for the applicant to be given parental responsibility.
Prohibited steps order
Prohibited steps orders are issued by the court and prevent a parent (or any person with parental responsibility) from exercising their parental responsibility. For example, a prohibited steps order may prevent a parent from taking their child out of the country or from changing the child’s school.
Specific issue order
Specific issue orders are issued by the courts to resolve a dispute relating to a child. A specific issue order may be required if there is a disagreement relating to medical treatment, a change of name, where a child should attend school, or whether they should receive a religious education.
Child Adoption
Our child law solicitors can handle all of the legal aspects of child adoption, including acquiring adoption orders from the court. We understand the end-to-end process of adoption and will ensure that everything is completed as smoothly as possible. We regularly assist with the law of adoption, including domestic and international adoption, private adoption, surrogacy, same-sex couples, adoption by relatives, and adoption by children in care.