How often can a father see his child? | Divorce Lawyers & Family Law Solicitors Free Consultation Available

How often can a father see his child?

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When a couple are going through a divorce or break-up, many people assume that the child will automatically go and live with the mother, with the father having regular contact. As a result, as specialist family solicitors, one question we are often asked during the divorce process is: how often can a father see his child?

In this article, we’ll discuss what the law says regarding father’s rights and answer the question, how often can a father see his child.

 

How often can a father see his child: the law

The question ‘how often can a father see his child’ presumes that fathers – and mothers – have a right to see their children.

In fact, when looking at how often a father can see his child, it’s more appropriate to speak of ‘responsibilities’, rather than ‘rights’.

The law says that parents have responsibilities towards their children. If you have parental responsibility (more on this later), you are responsible for meeting your child’s needs. This includes providing them with a home and protecting them.

Children, on the other hand, are viewed by the law as having a right to have a meaningful relationship with both their father and their mother.

So what does this mean with regards to how often a father can see his child?

 

How often a father can see his child: parental responsibility

Parental responsibility is defined as: “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and the child’s property”.

If you have parental responsibility, you’ll be responsible for making decisions on everything from the medical care your child receives, to where they go to school.

Mothers automatically acquire parental responsibility from the moment a child is born. Whether a father has parental responsibility will depend on the circumstances. Take a look at our blog on parental responsibility to find out more.

However, what parental responsibility does not mean is that you have an automatic right to see and spend time with your child.

 

How often can a father see his child: making arrangements with the other parent

A father has just as much right to see and spend time with the child as the mother. The question of how often a father can see his child is relatively straightforward to answer, if separating parents can agree where the child will live and how often the other parent will have contact with the child. Ideally, this family-based arrangement would be possible.

Sometimes, mediation can help parents to reach a solution which suits both parties, if they cannot agree between themselves.

If an agreement cannot be reached, it may be necessary to go to court to apply for a Child Arrangements Order, which details where the child will live and the contact which will take place with the other parent.

The court’s top priority when making its decision about how often a father can see his child, will be what is in the best interests of the child.

 

So how often can a father see his child?

Most of the time, it is in the child’s best interests to maintain a relationship with both parents.

How often a father can see his child will, ultimately, depend on what’s best for the child in question.

 

How can our expert divorce solicitors help you with how often can a father see his child

Our expert family law solicitors can help you with a range of legal issues relating to child access, including:

 

Contact our expert divorce solicitors for advice on how often can a father see his child

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

Our expert family law solicitors 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: St Andrew House, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 5JW

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.

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