Gladstone Solicitors
If you are separating or already separated and need advice about where your children will live, contact with your children or a child arrangements order, Gladstone Solicitors can help. Many people still search for “child custody” when looking for this type of advice, but in England and Wales the correct legal term is usually child arrangements.
Our family law solicitors in Arnold provide clear, sensitive and practical advice for parents who need to agree where their children will live, when they will spend time with each parent, and how important decisions will be made.
We understand that disagreements about children can be upsetting and urgent. Our aim is to help you resolve matters calmly where possible, while protecting your child’s welfare and your position as a parent.
On this page, you can find information about child arrangements, child arrangements orders, specific issue orders, prohibited steps orders, fathers’ rights, parental responsibility, and how Gladstone Solicitors can help.
Based in Arnold, we support parents across Nottingham and the surrounding areas with child arrangements, contact disputes and family court applications. Whether you need early advice or help with an urgent issue, we can explain your options clearly and sensitively.
Child arrangements deal with where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, and how contact is managed after separation or divorce. This is the modern legal wording used instead of older phrases such as “child custody” or “access”.
Arrangements may be agreed between parents directly, through solicitor negotiations, in mediation, or, where agreement is not possible, by applying to the family court for a child arrangements order.When Might You Need Legal Advice About Child Arrangements?
You may benefit from speaking to a child arrangements solicitor if you are finding it difficult to agree practical arrangements for your children, or if you are worried about your child’s safety, routine or relationship with either parent.
• Where your child or children should live
• How often your child should spend time with the other parent
• School holiday, birthday and Christmas arrangements
• Handover arrangements and communication between parents
• Disagreements about schools, medical treatment or religion
• Concerns about a parent taking a child abroad or moving away
• Contact with grandparents or wider family members
Before applying to court, many parents try to agree child arrangements through discussion, solicitor negotiations or family mediation. We can advise you on the best route for your situation and help you understand when a court application may be necessary.
A child arrangements order is a court order that confirms where a child will live and when they will spend time with another parent or person. It can cover overnight stays, weekday and weekend contact, school holidays, indirect contact such as phone or video calls, and other practical arrangements.
The court’s main concern is always the welfare of the child. It will consider what arrangement best supports the child’s needs, safety, stability and emotional wellbeing. The court does not automatically favour mothers or fathers; each case is considered on its own facts.
When the family court is asked to decide child arrangements, the child’s welfare is the most important consideration. The court may look at the child’s needs, their wishes and feelings where appropriate, the effect of any change, any risk of harm, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
Some disputes are not just about where a child lives or when contact takes place. Parents may disagree about a particular decision affecting a child’s upbringing. In those situations, the court may be asked to make a specific issue order or a prohibited steps order.
A specific issue order asks the court to decide a particular question, such as which school a child should attend, whether a child should receive certain medical treatment, or whether a parent can relocate with the child. A prohibited steps order asks the court to stop a parent from taking a particular step, such as removing a child from the country or making a major decision without agreement.
If there is any risk that a child may be taken abroad without consent, it is important to seek legal advice urgently. The legal position can be complex, particularly where more than one country may be involved.
Fathers often worry that the family court will automatically favour the mother. In England and Wales, the court must focus on the child’s best interests rather than favouring one parent because of gender. A father may have parental responsibility automatically, for example if he is married to the mother or named on the birth certificate, although the position can depend on the circumstances.
Parental responsibility gives a parent important rights and responsibilities in relation to a child’s upbringing, including decisions about education, health and major welfare issues. If you are unsure whether you have parental responsibility, or you are being excluded from important decisions, we can explain your options clearly.
Our family law team can help you understand your legal position and choose the most suitable way forward. Where possible, we will help you reach an agreement without court proceedings. If court action is needed, we can guide you through the process and help you prepare your application and evidence.
• Advice on child arrangements after separation or divorce
• Negotiating parenting arrangements with the other parent
• Preparing or responding to a child arrangements order application
• Advice on specific issue orders and prohibited steps orders
• Support with urgent concerns, including relocation or travel abroad
• Clear guidance on parental responsibility and fathers’ rights
Worried about where your children will live, contact arrangements or important parenting decisions after separation? Contact Gladstone Solicitors for clear, practical advice from a family law solicitor in Arnold. We will help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
To speak to Gladstone Solicitors about child arrangements, questions sometimes described as child custody concerns, or a child arrangements order, please call us on 0115 9555 050 or email info@gladstonesolicitors.co.uk.
Many parents still use or search for the word “custody”, especially when they first start looking for help online. However, the modern legal term in England and Wales is usually child arrangements. This covers where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent.
Not always. Many parents reach an agreement through discussion, solicitor correspondence or mediation. Court may be needed if agreement is not possible, there are safeguarding concerns, or one parent is refusing reasonable arrangements.
No. The court looks at what is in the child’s best interests. It will consider the child’s welfare, routine, needs and relationship with each parent rather than making assumptions based on whether someone is the mother or father.
Contact should not usually be stopped without good reason. However, if there are genuine safety or welfare concerns, you should seek legal advice quickly so the right steps can be taken to protect the child.
This depends on who has parental responsibility, whether there is already a court order, and the reason and length of the trip. You should get advice before making travel plans if the other parent does not agree.
A child arrangements order usually lasts until the child is 16, although the court can make different directions depending on the circumstances. Some parts of an order may last for a shorter period, particularly where arrangements are expected to change as the child gets older.
Grandparents do not automatically have the same rights as parents, but they may be able to ask the court for permission to apply for contact. We can advise grandparents and wider family members on the options available.
