Arrangements for Children – Child Custody Solicitors
Reasons to choose Wilson Browne
Child Custody / Child Residence Solicitors in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire
At Wilson Browne Solicitors, we’ve assembled a professional team of experienced family lawyers who specialise in a wide range of private family law matters, including complex financial transactions and child arrangements.
Disputes relating to child arrangements can arise both in the context of divorce proceedings, as well as outside of a marriage. As a result of our extensive experience in dealing with these matters, we know just how taxing a breakdown in relations and subsequent child arrangements can be – especially on the children. it is important to recognise that divorce proceedings can be costly, especially the parties are unable to agree on things, which is why we encourage a process known as ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution.
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
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
Our award-winning law firm has been supporting our clients for decades through some of the toughest phases of their lives with our unmatched customer service and outstanding legal advice.
Why choose Wilson Browne as your child custody solicitors?
Highly qualified and experienced in their respective fields of law, our team of family lawyers are on hand to reach the best legal solution for you and your family. To give you peace of mind that you’ve chosen the right firm, why not find out more about the wide range of awards that our professional team has won over the years?
The world’s leading guide to the best law firms around the globe, The Legal 500, has recognised and confirmed expertise in nine areas and highlighted 15 of our lawyers as Leading Lawyers. In addition to this impressive accolade, we’ve also received a commendation from the independent professional body for solicitors in England and Wales, The Law Society, during their 2020 national Excellence Awards.
We’ve even been fortunate enough to catch the attention of the Northamptonshire Law Society who decided to award us Law Firm of the Year in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Thanks to our substantial list of accreditations and awards, we’re also regularly approached by the media to provide expert insight into a wide range of important legal matters, helping to strengthen our reputation as a professional and reliable law firm.
Child custody solicitors near you
One of the most frustrating aspects of choosing a lawyer can be reaching their office location for a face-to-face meeting. Wilson Browne Solicitors have branches across the length and breadth of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire including the central locations of Leicester and Northampton. You can also find us in Kettering and Corby, as well as Higham Ferrers, and Wellingborough.
To find out more about our services, please don’t hesitate to get in contact today. You can either give us a call on 0800 088 6004 or use our handy online contact form to get in touch.
When submitting the contact form, please remember to include your basic contact details alongside your enquiry so that one of our family lawyers can arrange a follow-up discussion soon.
Frequently Asked Questions on Child Custody
What is a child residence/ child arrangements order?
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.
Do you need a solicitor to assist with child 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.
How much does a child custody solicitor cost?
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.
Is it illegal to not pay child support?
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.
