Child Arrangement Order Solicitors

Stability for your children, even when the family changes

When you’re going through a divorce or separation, some things will naturally change for your children.

But with good legal guidance from experienced child arrangement order solicitors you can minimise any disruption, and find a new dynamic that your children enjoy.

We can help you and your ex-spouse find new arrangements for parenting that have your children’s best interests at heart.

What does a child arrangement order cover?

A child arrangement order puts in place practical things like:

Where your children should live
How much time they will spend with each parent
Which school they will attend
How the parents will make decisions about any medical treatment they might need

It will also cover child maintenance payments to support the child’s living costs. This is usually a monthly payment paid from one parent to the other to cover things like:

Day-to-day essentials such as food and childcare
Paying for school uniforms, trips, and clubs
Costs of travel arrangements if the other parent has relocated

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Specific issues orders and prohibited steps orders  

Get court approval or prohibition for aspects of your child’s upbringing.

Non-court dispute resolution solicitors

Resolving conflict without acrimony, with mediation and collaborative family law.

Relocation 

Advice on how to move home with your children, either within the UK or abroad.

Grandparents rights (in relation to children) 

Your rights on seeing your grandchildren after the marriage has broken down.

Wrap-around family law support services

Providing you with a carefully selected network of independent professionals who offer additional emotional and practical assistance.

FAQs

Do I have to go to court to get a child arrangement order?

No, not necessarily. Some parents can agree arrangements between themselves.

In more complex situations, we negotiate with the other parent and try to find an agreement with lawyers present. If those negotiations aren’t successful, we will try a mediation with a specialist mediator. During a mediation, the neutral third party (the mediator) will try to help the parents agree arrangements.

Only if the mediation breaks down will it be necessary to ask for the assistance of the court. Depending on what the contentious issues are between the parents, our child arrangement order solicitors will apply for an order for the court to give its decision.
Who decides what’s best for the children after a divorce?

As parents of your children, you both have a say in what their lives will look like after you get divorced or separated. If you can’t agree, the court will decide. Ultimately, decisions are made based on what is deemed best for your child.
What is Branch Austin McCormick’s approach to agreeing child arrangement orders?

Our approach is to reduce conflict as much as possible. We try to resolve situations amicably, with a conciliatory tone.

We give you straightforward, practical advice so that you can make decisions with clarity. Our expert child arrangement order solicitors try to find a flexible way forward, and with our experience in the field we can help you consider creative arrangements that may work for both parties.

You will always have access to a partner at the firm, as all of our cases are partner led. That means that you have access to the most experienced professional child arrangement order solicitors, who uphold your rights with a level head. We’re firm when we need to be, and flexible when it helps to be.
Can I take my children abroad for a holiday once I’m divorced?

Once you’re divorced or separated from your ex-partner, you’ll need their permission to take your children abroad for holidays. If you can’t get consent, you’ll be breaking the law if you take your children abroad anyway. However, you’ll be allowed to do it legally if you have the court’s permission.

Our child arrangement order solicitors can make the application for you, or defend an application if the other parent is trying to take your children abroad without your consent.
Do grandparents have rights to see the children after the parents are divorced?

As the grandparent of a child, you have rights too. You’re entitled to continue to see your grandchildren, even after their parents have divorced or separated.

If you’re struggling to see your grandchildren as often as you would like, we can help you negotiate contact time with the parents.