Specialist Children Law Solicitors in Hemel Hempstead & Harpenden

Arrangements for Children & Child Protection

Hepburn Delaney offers a wide range of services to assist you with making arrangements for children. Children and their welfare are at the core of our business. We recognise that the way in which plans are made for children and grandchildren is likely to be the most important aspect of the advice we offer.

We have a large team who undertake exclusively Children Law work, including three members of the Law Society Children Panel, and solicitors who specialise in assisting clients with arrangements for children as part of a wider package of advice relating to Divorce and relationship breakdown or Wealth and Inheritance planning. We offer Child-inclusive Mediation where appropriate.

Our ethos is to be sensitive and child focussed in our advice and in negotiations, whilst remaining robust in ensuring the best possible outcome. We have many years of experience in representing our clients at Court should that be required.

Children Law encompasses a broad range of issues, on which we offer specialist and bespoke advice, including:

Arrangements for where children should live and who they spend time with:

You may need to make arrangements for your children if you divorce, end your civil partnership or separate from your partner. We can support and guide you through the legal and practical side of any child arrangements you need to make.

Parental Rights and Responsibilities, for traditional and modern families

It is important that you understand your legal rights and responsibilities towards your children. Parental Responsibility is the legal term given to the rights that parents have to make decisions for their children. Not all parents automatically have Parental Responsibility, particularly in couples who are not married or are from the LGBTQ+ community. We can offer expert advice to help you understand when you have automatic responsibility and how you can exercise it or if you do not, how we can obtain this for you.

Disputes relating to health, education and religion

Even parents who are able to successfully co-parent do not always agree on everything, particularly on important issues such as health, education and religion. Often disagreements of this kind are urgent and have long lasting implications for children. We have the expertise to assist you with these matters and if necessary make urgent applications to Court.

Relocation and moving abroad

You or your ex partner may be considering moving with the children to a new location in England and Wales or to another country. This may impact on living and contact arrangements with the other parent and with wider family members. There may also be practical considerations such as education, health and immigration to consider. We can help you navigate this complex issue and if necessary help you to make a Court application or injunction.

Adoption, including step-parent adoption

We can help you with all elements of the adoption process. We understand that this is a very emotional time and our specially trained team will guide you through any adoption sensitively and ensure that you are guided through the process informatively.

Rights of grandparents and family members

Often, when parents separate, it is not just the parents who wish to ensure that their relationships with the children remain in place. There may also be times when parents cannot care for their children and a family member steps in, either temporarily or on a longer term basis. We can advise and provide support for family members on the process of obtaining an agreement or a Court order.

Preventative Orders and injunctions

There may be times when you feel that you or your children need protection. There are a range of orders that can be sought from the Court to prevent or prohibit behaviour or decision making by your former partner or family members. We can explain the options and the consequences of each course of action and help you decide what is best for your family.

Financial arrangements for children following relationship breakdown

When relationships break down, the focus of financial arrangements can often be the entitlements of the parents; rights under matrimonial law or rights under property law. However, in some cases children may also be entitled to financial support. Our Family Team has the knowledge in Children and Family Law to help you understand how to secure your children’s futures and protect family assets for their benefit.

Provision for children and minors in Wills and estate planning

We recognise that provision for minor children within your family is often a crucial part of later life and estate planning. This can relate to financial planning or to the more practical arrangements for their care, such as who they live with. Our Inheritance Team can advise you on how to best make arrangements for your family.