Child Law Solicitors

Child Arrangement Order

Child law states that the welfare of the children in a family must come first during any relationship breakdown. We will work hard to negotiate an arrangement for the children that both parties, and the children themselves, are happy with. This will include where the children should live as well as any other contact arrangements and care arrangements that are relevant.

Sometimes an agreement cannot be reached between parents. At this point it is important to seek legal advice from a family law solicitor as you may face the possibility of court. This is where a Child Arrangement Order comes in.

What is a Child Arrangement Order?

A Child Arrangement Order deals with which parent a child lives with and how much contact they have with the other parent.

How much child maintenance should I pay?

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) identifies how much maintenance a child/party should get based on the income of the parent who is paying. There is a limit of a £156,000 income per year that can be taken into consideration. Parents can apply for a child maintenance that exceeds the limit by issuing court proceedings in the Family Court.

How can a Solicitor help with a Child Arrangement Order

Navigating a Child Arrangement Order is a complex process for any parent. Our child law solicitors can offer support you can count on.

Filling out a Child Arrangement Order form can be a stressful process for any parent or child. We have found that where parents can agree child arrangements between themselves, the child or children will respond far more positively than when the court is required to impose such arrangements by court order. At Eric Robinson Solicitors, our specialist family solicitors pride themselves on client care and have handled cases involving parents, grandparents, siblings, or step-parents, which can include:

• child arrangements: live with orders
• child arrangements: spend time with orders
• change of name
• specific issues about schooling or upbringing of a child
• parental responsibility
• prohibited steps to prevent something from taking place

If a dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation or a dispute resolution appointment, we will contact the court and apply for a Child Arrangement Order form on your behalf, and our family solicitors will advise and represent you throughout the entire process, including at any court hearing.

Parents who are separating face countless issues to sort out; money, property and possessions are on one side of the equation and children are on the other. Most parents recognise the need to protect their children from the negative, and sometimes harmful, effects of separation, but even then, children can be overlooked when disputes escalate. It is important to instruct a family lawyer who is sensitive to difficult issues such as domestic violence. We can also apply to the court for a Prohibited Steps Order where there is a risk that a child will be taken out of the UK without the consent of one parent.

If you’re looking to come to an agreement with an ex-partner or need advice regarding a residence and contact query, speak to one of our today. Eric Robinson Solicitors is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We have 6 different office locations throughout Hampshire and Surrey. for each of our family solicitors can be found on our website and we can arrange a call back for prospective clients submitting their contact details via our email address or calling us on our phone number. Unfortunately, we cannot offer Legal Aid for access, residence and contact work.

Special Guardianship

A Special Guardianship Order grants parental responsibility to an individual who is not the child’s natural parent. Special Guardianship will last until the child is 18 unless the Order is changed or varied by a court.

Unlike adoption, where a Special Guardianship Order has been granted, the child can remain in touch with their birth family. In the case of adoption, the child will become part of their new family, and no ties will remain with their birth family. 

Special Guardianship is useful for children who may not be suitable for adoption (for example due to their age) but who would still benefit from a stable placement with a long term carer. 

Before anyone can apply for a Special Guardianship Order in respect of a child, they will need to give the relevant Local Authority 3 months’ notice. The Local Authority will then produce a report with information about the child and what they consider to be in the child’s best interests. This report is sent to the court to which the application for Special Guardianship has been made, and its content will be considered by the judge as part of the decision-making process. 

If circumstances change significantly, the court can vary or even discharge the Order. Varying an Order means changing the terms of the Order and discharging it means to get rid of the Order completely and involves the returning of the child back to their parent. 

At Eric Robinson Solicitors, our experienced childcare lawyers will be able to advise on any Special Guardianship application or in respect of the variation or discharge of any existing Order.

Make sure you check out our Top 10 Tips on Looking After the Welfare of Children.

To speak to us and find out more, get in touch with one of our local branches at the following locations: Southampton, Hedge End, Chandlers Ford, Winchester, Lymington, or Richmond Upon Thames.