Child Arrangements can be made by consent of both parties if they are able to come to agreement regarding who the child will live with and spend time with and when this happens. If the parties are in agreement there is no need to have a Court order. However, if an agreement cannot be reached between the two parties, then the Court will make a Child Arrangements Order based on what it believes is the best outcome for the welfare of the child or children in question.
This is where we can assist you, whether this be in helping you to negotiate the best outcome for yourself and any children involved, or by representing and putting forward your wishes in Court. The idea of having to present your case in front of a judge can be a daunting prospect, however our highly qualified and experienced team are here to support you and to help you achieve the best outcome possible.
A Child Arrangements Order can govern all types of contact from time together to overnight contact as well as contact supervised by a professional contact centre or a trusted family member. Child Arrangement Orders can also outline different types of allowed indirect contact such as through cards, letters or even presents if a party cannot have any direct contact with the child in question.
You do not have to be a parent of the child to be able to apply for a Child Arrangements Order as this can be done by any guardian, special guardian, a stepparent with parental responsibility, a relative of the child that the child has spent at least a period of one year immediately prior to any application living with or any person with whom the child has lived with for a period of at least three years. This does not have to be continuous but must have begun within five years of the application and ended not more than three months before the application is made.
Please contact our experienced team for any assistance and advice regarding Child Arrangements orders, whether you are a parent, guardian, relative or interested party in regards to the children in question.
Kate is a Partner in our Family team.
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