Child arrangements – What do I need to do?

Ideally, child arrangements should be made by discussing and agreeing what works for you with the other parent.

If you cannot manage to come to an agreement between yourselves on child arrangements, then you could try mediation (an independent third party aiding discussions) or collaborative law (where you and your spouse meet and discuss the issues with both of your solicitors present). It may also be worth trying some kind of counselling, either together or separately, to talk through your issues about the children and the relationship breakdown in general.

You and your spouse could also separately attend a Separated Parents Information Programme to help you decide your child arrangements. This programme can help you understand what your children are going through during your divorce and how this will make them need both parents and what are the best child arrangements in your circumstances.

If you still cannot reach an agreement, specialist solicitors such as Austin Kemp can advise you on how to take your case to court to resolves the issues around child arrangements. Court should always be a last resort, as it is expensive and time consuming, but it is sometimes necessary if no agreement can be reached. If you do go to court, a judge will then make a child arrangement order stating who the children will live with and how often they should see the other parent.

For more information on this subject please visit our Legal Library.

Contact us to see how we can help with child arrangement matters following your divorce

For more information call our team on 0845 862 5001 or email mail@austinkemp.co.uk.

We offer a nationwide service. We have client meeting office facilities available, in order to have face-to-face client meetings / conferences as and when required in:

Leeds Office: Princes Exchange, Princes Square, Leeds, LS1 4HY

Wakefield Office: Market Walk, Wakefield, WF1 1QR

Halifax Office: Old Lane, Halifax, HX3 5WP

Huddersfield Office: Northumberland Street Huddersfield, HD1 1RL

Coventry Office: Warwick Road, Coventry, CV1 2DY

Canary Wharf Office: 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5LB

Please contact us for more details.