Child Arrangement Solicitors in Hemel Hempstead & Harpenden

Helping You Make Arrangements For Your Children

You may need to make arrangements for your children if you divorce, end your civil partnership or separate from your partner.

You can make decisions with your ex-partner or with the help of a mediator or specialist children law solicitor. If you cannot agree to some or all of the arrangements, you may need to consider applying to the Court for an Order.

A Child Arrangements Order can determine who the child shall live with, have contact with and otherwise spend time with. If an application to Court is necessary, then the Court will have to consider the following for each child when determining what orders, if any should be made:

• Their best interests, wishes and feelings
• Their physical, emotional and educational needs
• What effect changes in circumstances could have
• Their age, gender, circumstances and any other relevant background
• The potential for any risk of harm
• The capability of each parent to meet their needs

The Court will also try to avoid delay to lessen the impact of proceedings on the children and will not make orders unless the best interests of the child demand that an order is made.

The Court has a wide discretion with regard to arrangements for children and each matter will be decided on the individual facts of the case and needs of the child.

Prohibited Steps or Specific Issue Orders

There may be times when other orders are needed to ensure that your child’s best interests are met. Parents do not always agree on what is best for their children, in particular with regard to their health, their religion, their school and of course where they should live.

A Prohibited Steps Order can limit when certain parental rights and duties can be exercised. For example, an order may be required to prevent a parent from changing the child’s school or taking the child abroad. This order can also prevent one parent from moving away with the children – see our Relocation page.

A Specific Issue Order contains directions to resolve a particular issue in dispute in connection with the child. For example, an order may be made requiring a parent to hand over a passport, or facilitate particular religious practices.

Get in touch with our team of Child Arrangement Solicitors today

We recommend that in the first instance you attend our initial fixed fee appointment where we can discuss your options in full.

You may also wish to try to resolve matters by mediation. We can provide you with the contact details of local mediators upon request.

To contact us, please:

Call us on 01442 218090

Send an email to info@hepburndelaney.co.uk

Fill out our enquiry form and speak to one of our Specialist Children Law Solicitors today.