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Divorce is difficult. We’re here to help you untangle the knots.
Our family law solicitors offer a range of legal services dealing with children’s matters.
We help make the financial side of getting a divorce as simple as possible, whilst retaining what you deserve.
Our international divorce lawyers regularly advise on cases involving complex international aspects.
The breakdown of a relationship can often be a difficult and emotional time. Our separation and divorce lawyers support and offer advice on pre-civil partnership agreements, post-civil partnership agreements, civil partnership dissolution, and finances when a civil partnership ends.
Our family law solicitors are experienced in providing support for families experiencing difficult changes in their lives, including breakdowns in relationships and changes to family life.
At Austin Kemp, we’re here to help. Find out more about the divorce process, and other key information with our vast resource section.
Our industry-first Divorce Report combines numerous data sources and internal research, to bring you this specialist report.
Our expert divorce lawyers have listed questions which are commonly asked by our clients, to which we have provided an answer.
Our legal videos break down the complexity and jargon within our profession.
Our Legal Brochures detail the process for each area of Family Law. Download your brochure and learn more about what is involved in this complicated legal topic.
Our Legal Experts have written insights to help you navigate divorce and family law.
Thoroughly excellent service provided via Wikivorce. Was slightly apprehensive of how it would all work, especially at a distance. However, they were swift, efficient, immensely polite, accurate, and gave regular updates. I would recommend them to anyone.
Can't fault my experience in any way. Brilliant advice / available at short notice for any questions and most importantly swiftly achieved the desired result. Found Austin Kemp after feeling HCB Solicitors were not acting in my best interests and I was correct on all fronts - even including having an appreciation for the fact Divorce is already emotional situation. Also, rather than have to query every suggested next step and be charged for the pleasure; As I'd done a little research of my own and was able to challenge their advice - however we pay Solicitors for their expertise and need to put our trust in them. Austin Kemp thankfully achieved that for me during our first conversation I was already reassured they understood what I wanted and how best to achieve it. Resulting in 7-8 months less work and no court appearances as I had been previously advised by HCB. I THANK YOU DEARLY AUSTIN KEMP. I can start my life again earlier and with a healthier bank balance because of you!!!
Amazing service. For the first time in nearly two years I feel less in a spiral and more in control.
Thoroughly professional, straightforward, timely and reasonably priced. I would recommend this firm to anyone. Thank you Emma and Austen Kemp for a great service.
Thank you so much. You were great. I wasted so much time and money with my previous solicitors and only regret I did not contact you earlier. I have dropped a line to Paul to thank him for referring me to you. I hope you enjoyed the red I sent you as a token of our appreciation.
Austin Kemp provides a pragmatic and honest approach to the individual's journey through Family Law issues. They demonstrate a willingness and capacity to respond to challenging and unpredictable circumstances. The professional, yet personal, service is naturally client centred, but with a realistic and informed view of children's needs. And it has been heartening to have such a caring team walk beside me in the long journey.
I cannot recommend highly enough Austin Kemp as a strong, commercially intelligent and the most effective negotiators. Their negotiation skills are second to none. I have seen firsthand the excellent results this team achieves for their clients.
Just want to say thanks so much for everything. You have been brilliant and very patient. I always felt comfortable calling when asking to clarify certain points of the divorce.
I can honestly say that I am more than satisfied with the management of my case and of my then state of mind. I highly recommend this firm. Thank you.
Amandeep Kooner was not prepared to be swayed from a path of professionalism to accommodate my anxiety and frustration. He would not succumb to taking instructions tit for tat response. He ensured at all times that the response he gave reflected a dignified client with a pleasant demeanour. In so doing he demonstrated his commitment to protect and secure my interests and dignity off which I am most grateful.
Although he has a dual approached role which is business and a duty of care, Amandeep Kooner showed concerns for the level of expenditure that I had already put out with no resolve. His team contained the work to the minimum and produced the maximum results. My case was quickly progressed without compromising compassion and understanding.
Very professional service! Explained everything they were doing for my case every step of the way and really helped me to understand how we would proceed. Thank you!
Intellectually bright, hardworking and extremely professional - Amandeep Kooner took my case at it most difficult as I had come to the end of my ability to remain calm and patient. Up until I instructed Austin Kemp, I had lost all hope that any solicitor could convince me in pursuing a non-retaliatory approach as I was losing ground to allegations and fabrications. Tough, hardworking and extremely professional.
Child custody, also known as residence, is used to describe where a child will live after, or during, divorce.
Child custody is only one element of the arrangements for your child after divorce. The other parent may have contact, also known as ‘access’, with the child. The parent who does not have child custody is known as the ‘non-resident parent’.
Most parents are able to come to arrangement about child custody between themselves. This is known as a family-based arrangement.
Normally, you will not need to go to court if you are both able to agree on child custody (where the child will live), as well as how much time they will spend with the non-resident parent and how you will financially support your child.
If you and the other parent are struggling to agree child custody arrangements, Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) has a Parenting Plan on its website which you can use to help you.
Alternatively, you could decide to go to mediation. Here, an independent third party, known as a mediator, will aid discussions between you and the other parent, with the aim of helping you to reach an agreement about child custody and contact.
Collaborative law, where you, the other parent and your respective solicitors, meet to discuss the options, may also help you to reach an agreement regarding child custody arrangements.
If you and the other parent agree about child custody arrangements, it’s not necessary to complete any official paperwork. In some instances, you may want to get your agreement made into a court order.
If you can’t reach an agreement, you can ask a court to decide your child custody and contact arrangements. You may have to go to a mediation information meeting before applying to court, although this is not always necessary.
There are various court orders available. What type of court order you will need will depend on what you have and haven’t been able to agree on.
A ‘child arrangements order’ will state child custody arrangements (where the child will live) and how and when contact with the other parent will take place.
If you cannot agree on a specific issue regarding your child’s upbringing, you may need a ‘specific issue order’ or a ‘prohibited steps order’.
Child custody can be one of the most emotive elements of a divorce. Seeking legal advice from a solicitor experienced in child custody, can help to prepare you for what lies ahead, so you can start planning for both yours and your children’s future.
When parents separate, many people see child custody as one of the main hurdles that they must pass when it comes to deciding what will happen to the children.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reportedly reached a child custody agreement on what will happen to their six children now that they have separated. But what would happen if one of them wanted to relocate to the other side of the world?
Their job no doubt involves a great deal of traveling and it’s likely that their custody agreement takes this into account. Whether you are able to take your child abroad on holiday and whether you need the other parent’s permission, depends on a number of factors which are outside the scope of this article.
But what if you wanted to permanently make the move abroad with your children?
Unless you are moving with the other parent, which is unlikely if you are separated, your children’s other parent may not want you to go, as this could mean that they will see their children less.
If possible, talk through your plans with the other parent. Tell them where you want to relocate to and why. Make sure you know what arrangements you’ll make for the children when you arrive, such as where you will live and where they will be educated.
If the other parent understands your reasons for moving and you can come to a mutually suitable arrangement about how and when the other parent will see the children, you are more likely to be able to come to an agreement without a lengthy court battle.
Yes. If the other parent has parental responsibility for the children, then you will need their agreement to move abroad.
If the other parent won’t agree to the move, you will need to apply to the courts to get permission to move your children abroad. This is known as ‘permission to remove from the jurisdiction’.
In a recent child custody relocation case, Re M (Children), the Court of Appeal emphasised the importance of the welfare of the child and went as far as to say that there was only one principle in relocation cases – that is that the welfare of the child is paramount.
It’s important to present a thorough, well-thought-out plan to the courts detailing everything from where the children will live to where the nearest healthcare is. You’ll also need to include plans about how the other parent will maintain contact. You may even need to offer to pay all or some of the other parent’s travel expenses, depending on the circumstances.
Making the decision to move children abroad, away from their other parent, is not a decision which should be taken lightly. Courts will look at the child’s welfare as the paramount consideration when deciding relocation cases.
Whether you or the other parent wants to take your children abroad, every situation is different. It’s a good idea to get legal advice from a solicitor who is experienced in child custody agreements.
For more information on child custody agreements when relocating call our team on 0845 862 5001 or email mail@austinkemp.co.uk.
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