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Legal matters involving children are stressful and emotional. We put your child’s welfare first, while protecting your legal rights.
We explain options in a way that you will understand and guide families through custody, contact, mediation and financial claims under the Children Act 1989.
We provide practical, compassionate support for parents, guardians and grandparents. Our services include:
We draft letters to former partners, prepare evidence, and negotiate on your behalf.
If Court proceedings are necessary, we can represent you at every hearing, prepare the necessary documents and paperwork and guide you and explain each stage clearly.
Grandparents and other family members can play a vital role in a child’s life, but it is common for grandparents to feel that they are overlooked.
Grandparents do not have an automatic right to either see their grandchildren or apply to the Court for an Order allowing them to see their grandchildren. However, the more involved the grandparents have been in the child’s life, the more likely it is that the Court will consider that there is a benefit to the child in continuing that relationship and allow an application to be made.
The best advice for a grandparent, and indeed for any parent or adult involved in a child’s life, is to remain focused on the needs of the child. The court’s paramount consideration is the welfare of the child and contact is more likely to be allowed if it is in the child’s best interests.
If the grandparent can demonstrate that they have a strong relationship with their grandchild, and that they have not involved themselves in any dispute between the parents, there is a much better chance that an Order will be made granting them contact.
The first step would be to make arrangements directly with the parents. The fact that the parents have separated does not mean that either of them lose their right to make decisions concerning their child. Both parents should be approached to seek their views on contact.
We advise on contact applications and help gather the evidence needed to show the nature of the family relationship.
Where possible, we aim to reach an agreement with parents before formal applications are required.
Not all financial needs are covered by the Child Maintenance Service. . We advise on and pursue claims for:
We can include financial claims within divorce proceedings if that is relevant to your case.
Before applying for a court order everyone is now expected to attend mediation (unless they fall into one of the exempt categories which we will discuss with you). This is a cost-effective way of resolving matters. The parties would attend a “Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting” (MIAM) together or separately. The aim is to help the parties to find a solution. Mediation can help families reach practical arrangements that keep disruption to a child’s life to a minimum.
Our solicitors can guide you and advice you through mediation meetings, prepare supporting statements, and turn agreed terms into Consent Orders for the Court.
If agreement is not possible or in the event of a dispute, we can apply to the court for Orders where a Judge will be asked to decide where the child will live and with whom and how they will spend time with the other parent.
We will prepare and set out your case, advise on likely outcomes, and represent you at hearings.
We avoid legal jargon and keep you informed at every step.
If agreement is not possible or in the event of a dispute, we can apply to the court for Orders where a Judge will be asked to decide where the child will live and with whom and how they will spend time with the other parent.
We will prepare and set out your case, advise on likely outcomes, and represent you at hearings.
We avoid legal jargon and keep you informed at every step.
Timescales vary by case.
Simple agreements can be reached in weeks.
Complex disputes that go to Court may take several months or more.
We provide a clear cost estimate after the first meeting.
We can signpost to counselling, local family support services, and mediation providers.
Where appropriate, we work with barristers, social workers and expert witnesses to support a child-focused case.
Get practical, sympathetic legal help by speaking to our team today!
Residence now referred to as lives with Orders defines where a child lives. Parental responsibility covers rights and duties to make important decisions for the child. We explain which Orders you may need and why and we will help you apply for them.
Yes. Grandparents can apply for contact if they cannot reach an agreement with the parents. We help prepare evidence and represent grandparents in Court when needed.
Mediation is often a good first step but it is not suitable where there are safety concerns or active child protection issues. We advise on the best route based on your circumstances.
In some cases yes. We assess whether school fees are reasonable and how they can be included in a financial claim or divorce proceedings.
There is no one answer. Agreed matters may be resolved in weeks. Contested cases that require hearings can take several months. We give realistic timescale ranges after discussing and reviewing your case.
If you need advice or representation that puts your child’s welfare first, speak to our team today!
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