We understand that divorce and separation can be very difficult to come to terms with. It can be even more challenging when children are involved, especially when settling into a new routine. Agreeing on the arrangements for your children is one of the most important things to consider during a divorce or separation.
Our specialist child arrangements solicitors will take a caring and pragmatic approach when it comes to sorting out child arrangements. We’re known for robustly applying the law and will always be honest with you about your case and your prospects. We’re often instructed by clients who’ve received advice elsewhere and seek a second opinion.
Whether you need legal advice to find a solution that works for you, or wish to review an existing arrangement, you can trust us to approach your case in an understanding and straightforward way.
Contact our child arrangements team, tell us more about your situation, and we’ll advise how we can help.
How can Irwin Mitchell help with child arrangements?
Our child arrangement solicitors have a wealth of practical and legal experience in this area and can help you with a range of issues, including:
- Custody – where your children will live (also known as residence, or “live with” orders)
- Access – who they can see and when (also known as contact, or “spend time with” orders)
- Financial maintenance – including child maintenance, school fees, and applications pursuant to Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 (financial provision for children outside marriage)
- Relocation – whether a parent can move with a child (to a different part of the UK or overseas)
- Grandparents’ rights – getting legal access to your grandchildren
- Specific issues – such as changing a child’s surname or school or arranging medical treatment when the other parent doesn’t agree.
- Parenting plans – where you can record your agreement about the arrangements for your children in writing.
This list isn’t exhaustive, and we can help with a range of child arrangement issues. Contact our team to see if we can help with your situation.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell to help with child arrangements?
We’re recognised as one of the UK's leading family law teams by independent legal guides Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Our child arrangements solicitors are among the most experienced in the UK.
Child arrangements can take a toll on you and your potentially already strained relationship with your ex-partner. Our in-house counsellor, Vicky Lambert, can support you individually to help you build a manageable relationship with your ex. You’ll be offered four free sessions when you use our service; additional sessions can be arranged at a cost.
If you’re recently separated from your partner, you might have questions relating to other areas of your life. We’ve teams that can help with:
- Finances – Our tax and estate planning teams are financial law experts and can help you with managing your financial affairs after a separation
- Will – If you’d like to change your Will after a divorce or separation, our Wills team can offer expert advice on how to do that. You can also use our online Wills writing service.
Whenever you need to meet your solicitor we’ll always work in a way that’s best for you. This could involve you coming to one of our UK offices, or us meeting you at an appropriate location. We can also arrange phone or video calls if that’s easier for you.
Mediation support service – 30-minute consultation
Family mediation is an alternative and flexible way of resolving disputes outside the court arena. It’s often a more cost-effective way of resolving a child arrangement dispute. Here, you and your ex-partner can discuss arrangements for your child in a safe, managed environment in the presence of a neutral, unbiased third party.
We offer a 30-minute consultation where you and your ex-partner can explore whether mediation would be right for you.
Call today for more information
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