Arrangements for Children – Child Custody Solicitors

Mediation:

Mediation involves both you and your spouse, partner, or another party meeting with a neutral mediator to resolve a disagreement. Mediators maintain impartiality and typically would not as a rule not offer legal advice, although they can clarify how similar issues are handled in court.

The goal is to help you and your partner come up with solutions that are agreeable to both parties. Once an agreement is reached, a solicitor will use it to draft a legally binding separation agreement.

Collaborative Process:

In this approach, both parties and their legal representatives collaborate to reach an agreement without resorting to court proceedings. At the outset, all participants sign a contract pledging to resolve the matter outside of court. Settlement discussions occur in roundtable meetings attended by both parties and their legal teams, with each party having the option to consult with personal advisors or coaches throughout the negotiations.

Arbitration:

In arbitration, the parties involved present their dispute to a trained arbitrator or panel. The arbitrator evaluates the evidence and hears both sides before making a decision that is impartial and legally binding

While coming to an agreement over finances and property can be difficult enough during divorce or separation, deciding the arrangement for the residency of children on top of this can be particularly challenging.

A residence order / child arrangement order will help to decide where the children will spend their time. It can therefore be a challenging time for former partners to discuss and consider children arrangements.

To effectively resolve disputes regarding children matters child custody issues and obtain the best arrangement for you and your child, or children, seeking support and advice from an experienced child custody solicitor (family lawyer) is essential.  We will help you to explore all of your available options including creating an agreement or, if you are unable to reach an agreement through means of negotiation, advising and representing you through the process of going through the Court.

In the event that a child arrangement cannot be agreed upon , there are a variety of Court Orders that you could apply for. This includes a Child Arrangements Order (this states where a child should live and when they should see the other parent or extended family member) and a Prohibited Steps Order (prevents certain actions such as travelling with the child to another country).

You could also apply for  a Specific Issue Order that deals with particular child upbringing issues. This might include a change of surname or schooling. Additionally, we can also provide you with expert legal advice when it comes to finance and property issues that you require assistance with for both yourself and your children.

At Wilson Browne Solicitors, our team of expert family lawyers has substantial experience navigating these sensitive and complex issues, ensuring you have tailored support every step of the way. All our lawyers are also members of Resolution, a community of family justice professionals that aim to resolve issues in a constructive way, helping to reduce unnecessary stress during this taxing time.

The cost of resolving children matters can vary greatly depending on whether you are able to reach an amicable agreement with the other parent outside of litigation, or whether there is a major dispute or contested proceedings.

At Wilson Browne Solicitors, we ensure that our fees are always transparent and estimated in advance of any work we do on your behalf. Only once you’ve agreed to our estimated costs, will we begin work.  Our estimated costs will also include any additional charges (including VAT) as well as any applicable third-party costs that are required, so you’ll never have to worry about hidden costs. In the event that you request additional work after you’ve already agreed to our estimated costs, we will provide an additional estimation for you to consider before carrying out this extra work.

Parents have a responsibility for the costs of raising children, even if they don’t see them. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can take you to court over unpaid child support, once a liability order is granted for them to take legal action against you.

Potential reasons a parent might not be granted joint custody include evidence of domestic violence, mental health issues, child neglect or an inability to provide a child with stability. Courts will also take into account other factors such as the child’s wishes, as well as their physical, emotional and educational needs.

Although not always likely, full custody without going through the courts can be achieved using alternative dispute resolution processes and amicable discussions with your ex-partner. If they agree, you can get full custody without going to court or seeking a child arrangement order.