WE Work for you, TO GET YOU THE BEST RESULTS<\/p>\n
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate. <\/p>\n
WE Work for you, TO GET YOU THE BEST RESULTS<\/p>\n
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate. <\/p>\n
Previous<\/p>\n
Next<\/p>\n
FAMILY
\nLAW \u2013 CHILD ARRANGEMENTS
\n If you are separating or already separated and need advice
\nabout where your children will live, contact with your children or a child
\narrangements order, Gladstone Solicitors can help. Many people still search for
\n\u201cchild custody\u201d when looking for this type of advice, but in England and Wales
\nthe correct legal term is usually child arrangements. Our family law solicitors
\nin Arnold provide clear, sensitive and practical advice for parents who need to
\nagree where their children will live, when they will spend time with each
\nparent, and how important decisions will be made.
\n We understand that disagreements about children can be
\nupsetting and urgent. Our aim is to help you resolve matters calmly where
\npossible, while protecting your child\u2019s welfare and your position as a parent.
\n On this page, you can find information about child
\narrangements, child arrangements orders, specific issue orders, prohibited
\nsteps orders, fathers\u2019 rights, parental responsibility, and how Gladstone
\nSolicitors can help.
\n Based in Arnold, we support parents across Nottingham and
\nthe surrounding areas with child arrangements, contact disputes and family
\ncourt applications. Whether you need early advice or help with an urgent issue,
\nwe can explain your options clearly and sensitively.
\n What Are Child Arrangements?Child arrangements deal with where a child lives, how much
\ntime they spend with each parent, and how contact is managed after separation
\nor divorce. This is the modern legal wording used instead of older phrases such
\nas \u201cchild custody\u201d or \u201caccess\u201d.
\n Arrangements may be agreed between parents directly, through
\nsolicitor negotiations, in mediation, or, where agreement is not possible, by
\napplying to the family court for a child arrangements order.
\n When Might You Need Legal Advice About Child
\nArrangements? You may benefit from speaking to a child arrangements
\nsolicitor if you are finding it difficult to agree practical arrangements for
\nyour children, or if you are worried about your child\u2019s safety, routine or
\nrelationship with either parent.
\n \u00b7 Where your child or children should live\u00b7 How often your child should spend time with the
\nother parent
\n \u00b7 School holiday, birthday and Christmas
\narrangements
\n \u00b7 Handover arrangements and communication between
\nparents
\n \u00b7 Disagreements about schools, medical treatment
\nor religion
\n \u00b7 Concerns about a parent taking a child abroad or
\nmoving away
\n \u00b7 Contact with grandparents or wider family
\nmembers
\n Child Arrangements Orders ExplainedBefore applying to court, many parents try to agree child
\narrangements through discussion, solicitor negotiations or family mediation. We
\ncan advise you on the best route for your situation and help you understand
\nwhen a court application may be necessary.
\n A child arrangements order is a court order that confirms
\nwhere a child will live and when they will spend time with another parent or
\nperson. It can cover overnight stays, weekday and weekend contact, school
\nholidays, indirect contact such as phone or video calls, and other practical
\narrangements.
\n The court\u2019s main concern is always the welfare of the child.
\nIt will consider what arrangement best supports the child\u2019s needs, safety,
\nstability and emotional wellbeing.
\n The court does not automatically favour
\nmothers or fathers; each case is considered on its own facts.
\n When the family court is asked to decide child arrangements,
\nthe child\u2019s welfare is the most important consideration. The court may look at
\nthe child\u2019s needs, their wishes and feelings where appropriate, the effect of
\nany change, any risk of harm, and each parent\u2019s ability to meet the child\u2019s
\nneeds.
\n Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps
\nOrders Some disputes are not just about where a child lives or when
\ncontact takes place. Parents may disagree about a particular decision affecting
\na child\u2019s upbringing. In those situations, the court may be asked to make a
\nspecific issue order or a prohibited steps order.
\n A specific issue order asks the court to decide a particular
\nquestion, such as which school a child should attend, whether a child should
\nreceive certain medical treatment, or whether a parent can relocate with the
\nchild. A prohibited steps order asks the court to stop a parent from taking a
\nparticular step, such as removing a child from the country or making a major
\ndecision without agreement.
\n If there is any risk that a child may be taken abroad
\nwithout consent, it is important to seek legal advice urgently. The legal
\nposition can be complex, particularly where more than one country may be
\ninvolved.
\n Fathers\u2019 Rights and Parental Responsibility Fathers often worry that the family court will automatically
\nfavour the mother. In England and Wales, the court must focus on the child\u2019s
\nbest interests rather than favouring one parent because of gender. A father may
\nhave parental responsibility automatically, for example if he is married to the
\nmother or named on the birth certificate, although the position can depend on
\nthe circumstances.
\n Parental responsibility gives a parent important rights and
\nresponsibilities in relation to a child\u2019s upbringing, including decisions about
\neducation, health and major welfare issues. If you are unsure whether you have
\nparental responsibility, or you are being excluded from important decisions, we
\ncan explain your options clearly.
\n How Gladstone Solicitors Can Help Our family law team can help you understand your legal
\nposition and choose the most suitable way forward. Where possible, we will help
\nyou reach an agreement without court proceedings. If court action is needed, we
\ncan guide you through the process and help you prepare your application and
\nevidence.
\n \u00b7 Advice on child arrangements after separation or
\ndivorce
\n \u00b7 Negotiating parenting arrangements with the
\nother parent
\n \u00b7 Preparing or responding to a child arrangements
\norder application\u00b7 Advice on specific issue orders and prohibited
\nsteps orders
\n \u00b7 Support with urgent concerns, including
\nrelocation or travel abroad
\n \u00b7 Clear guidance on parental responsibility and
\nfathers\u2019 rights
\n Child Arrangements Order FAQs Is child custody still the correct legal term? Many parents still use or search for the word \u201ccustody\u201d, especially
\nwhen they first start looking for help online. However, the modern legal term in
\nEngland and Wales is usually child arrangements. This covers where a child
\nlives and how they spend time with each parent.
\n Do I have to go to court to agree child arrangements? Not always. Many parents reach an agreement through
\ndiscussion, solicitor correspondence or mediation. Court may be needed if
\nagreement is not possible, there are safeguarding concerns, or one parent is
\nrefusing reasonable arrangements.
\n Will the court favour the mother? No. The court looks at what is in the child\u2019s best
\ninterests. It will consider the child\u2019s welfare, routine, needs and
\nrelationship with each parent rather than making assumptions based on whether
\nsomeone is the mother or father.
\n Can a parent stop the other parent seeing the children? Contact should not usually be stopped without good reason.
\nHowever, if there are genuine safety or welfare concerns, you should seek legal
\nadvice quickly so the right steps can be taken to protect the child.
\n Can I take my child abroad after separation? This depends on who has parental responsibility, whether
\nthere is already a court order, and the reason and length of the trip. You
\nshould get advice before making travel plans if the other parent does not
\nagree.
\n How long does a child arrangements order last? A child arrangements order usually lasts until the child is
\n16, although the court can make different directions depending on the
\ncircumstances. Some parts of an order may last for a shorter period,
\nparticularly where arrangements are expected to change as the child gets older.
\n Can grandparents apply for contact with a child? Grandparents do not automatically have the same rights as
\nparents, but they may be able to ask the court for permission to apply for
\ncontact. We can advise grandparents and wider family members on the options
\navailable.
\n Speak to a Child Arrangement Solicitor in
\nArnold Worried about where your children will live, contact
\narrangements or important parenting decisions after separation? Contact
\nGladstone Solicitors for clear, practical advice from a family law solicitor in
\nArnold. We will help you understand your options and take the next step with
\nconfidence.
\n To speak to Gladstone Solicitors about child arrangements, questions
\nsometimes described as child custody concerns, or a child arrangements order,
\nplease call us on 0115 9555 050 or email info@gladstonesolicitors.co.uk. <\/p>\n
contact form<\/p>\n
Name<\/p>\n
Email<\/p>\n
Message<\/p>\n
Submit<\/p>\n
Thank you! Your message has been sent.
\n Unable to send your message. Please fix errors then try again. <\/p>\n
What Our Client\u2019s Say<\/p>\n
Sample<\/p>\n
sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, sample, \u2026<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Nottingham<\/p>\n
22 Market PlaceArnoldNottinghamNG5 6ND<\/p>\n
0115 9555 050<\/p>\n
Newark<\/p>\n
8 Albert StreetNewarkNottinghamshireNG24 4BJ<\/p>\n
0163 6640 641<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WE Work for you, TO GET YOU THE BEST RESULTS Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate. WE Work for you, TO GET YOU THE BEST RESULTS Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-251","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=251"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":391,"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/251\/revisions\/391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.gladstonesolicitors.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}