Children

A Child Arrangements Order is an Order made by the Family Court.

The Order sets out who a child will live with and what contact they will have with others – usually the other parent but sometimes other family members.

The Court will make the Order based on what it considers to be in the child’s best interests. However, applying to Court should always be a last resort.

If parents cannot agree arrangements for their child there are other options such as Mediation or asking a solicitor to engage in negotiations on their behalf.

Kerseys Family Department can provide specialist advice and assistance on these issues. We will also provide representation in Court proceedings when needed.

A Specific Issue Order which deals with an individual issue, for example what medical treatment a child should have or what school they should attend.

A Prohibited Steps Order which prevents a specified action from taking place, for example taking the child abroad.

Q. If I separate from my partner, will I be able to see my children?
A. Yes, unless there are valid concerns about their safety.

Q. We can’t talk to each other, how can I arrange contact?
A. Try enlisting the help of a trusted friend or family member, a Mediator or a Solicitor.

Q. We cannot agree – what next?
A. It may be necessary to apply to the Family Court for a Child Arrangements Order.

Q. Can I do that myself or do I need a lawyer?
A. You can do it yourself but an experienced Solicitor can provide valuable advice and representation.

See more Child Law FAQs

CAFCASS stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. You may better know them as Court Welfare Officers. CAFCASS are independent experts appointed by the Court to advise on what is safe for children and what arrangements would promote their best interests.

CAFCASS are independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and all similar agencies. They independently advise the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests. They are charged with putting the child’s needs, wishes and feelings first, making sure that children’s voices are heard at the heart of the family court setting.

At Kerseys we understand not everyone is available between 9-5 Monday to Friday which is why we adopt a more flexible approach. Pre booked appointments can be arranged for after-hours any day of the week or at weekends.

Our family lawyers are all set up to work from home, so we are no longer constrained by appointments having to take place in the office between 9-5. We now offer appointments over the telephone and also via a number of video platforms. This added flexibility, means that your family lawyer can be on hand to help you at any time convenient to you.

If you are a member of the Police Federation, we offer:

1. FREE initial consultation at a day and time convenient to you, even after hours or at weekends

2. 10% off our fees for the duration of the matter (this offer also extends to our Residential Property department).

Where applicable we offer a 45 minute fixed fee appointment in which we will provide you with bespoke legal advice which includes setting out your options on how to move forward our fee is £165.00 plus VAT (£198.00 in total) which also includes within the price the fee for Anti Money Laundering checks we have to perform. The fixed fee is payable in advance of the meeting. However, don’t worry if your meeting runs over, you will not be charged any additional fee.

Fair, acceptable settlement through negotiation is always the preferred solution, to save you stress and expense. If that’s not possible, then we will fight your case strongly through the courts.

We encourage you to gather as much relevant information and documentation as you can, in order to lessen your costs. Our initial advice will include assessing whether you can handle the case, or elements of it, yourself. It’s another potential way you can contain expense.

We prefer to give you a firm quotation of costs upfront. If that isn’t possible in your case, we will explain why.

Legal Proceedings are court based applications such as divorce, finances, children arrangements as well as Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustee Act applications which cover unmarried couples with property disputes.

Yes, as long as it is correctly undertaken. We offer a Change of Name Deed service. If seeking to change a forename or surname of a child, both parents need to consent. Where consent is not given, a court application can be made to deal with this specific issue.