Child Arrangement Order

Our specialist team of family law solicitors help and expert advice regarding Child Arrangement Orders.  These are enforceable orders from the court setting out contact arrangements for your child upon divorce or separation.

Going through a divorce is never easy and when children are involved it can be a much tougher process.

Our dedicated family team will advise you on all the options and guide you through the process from start to finish, helping parents to resolve any disputes surrounding contact with their children.

Contact in relation to a Child Arrangement Order may be specified as being:

• Direct physical contact between a child and a person named in the order
• Indirect contact such as letters or birthday cards
• Overnight contact
• Supervised contact between a child and the named person
• No contact at all – if it is deemed necessary to protect the child

Free Initial Discussion

If you want to discuss any Family Law issues with one of our expert solicitors, then we are on hand to discuss your circumstances today. We offer a free initial telephone consultation to evaluate your needs and provide an estimate of any fees. Call us on 0207 118 1333 or alternatively email us at info@qnlaw.co.uk

Alternatively you can contact us on WhatsApp by clicking here – 07927199499

What Does the Order Achieve?

The core focus of child arrangement orders is always solely on what is best for the child as well as highlighting the need for shared parenting.

A Child Arrangement Order can help to determine where a child lives and whom they spend time with. Our team of child law solicitors can help you with the following situations:

• Where your children live and how often they spend time with the other parent
• Financial arrangements for your children which may include matters such as child maintenance
• Who has access to your children and when they can visit or spend time with your children
• Grandparents’ rights and their access to the children

Who Can Apply?

The following can apply for a child arrangement order without specifically needing the court’s permission:

• Parent
• If you are named in a child arrangement order as somebody the child should live with
• Step-Parent – if they hold parental responsibility or if the child is treated as a child of the family
• Guardian/Special Guardian
• If the child has lived with you for a period of at least three years within the last five years
• If you have the consent of every person who holds parental responsibility

It is always best to speak to us in the first instance so we can give you clear and accurate advice.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Child Arrangements Order?

If both parents agree on arrangements, the process can be quite quick. However, if the parents decide to go to court, this can cause long delays until an agreement is reached.

If the disagreement on the matters continue, the case could go to a Final Hearing where the Court is required to decide on the parent’s behalf and the whole process could then take between 6-12 months.

The Courts’ Considerations

The Court will consider the following:

1. The welfare of any children
2. The wishes and feelings of the child
3. The child’s physical, emotional and educational needs
4. The possible effect on the child if circumstances changed as a result of the court’s decision
5. The child’s age, sex, background and any other characteristics that will be relevant to the court’s decision
6. Any harm the child has experienced or may be at risk of suffering
7. The capability of the child’s parents (or other relevant people) in meeting the child’s needs
8. If no order is suitable in the circumstances

Duration of Child Arrangement Orders

The child arrangement order(s) commonly stay in place until the children have reached 16 years of age or in certain circumstances 18 years of age.

It is important to keep in mind that if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than 6 months, then the child arrangement order will automatically come to an end.  

How to make contact

To find out more about our Family Law services and for a tailored quote, please call us on 0207 118 1333. Alternatively, you can email us on info@qnlaw.co.uk and we’ll call you back.