Child Arrangement Orders

What is a Child Arrangement Order?

A Child Arrangements Order determines who your child(ren) is to live with and/or who your child(ren) is to spend time with and how often. This was commonly referred to as “residence” and “contact”, or “child custody”.

Child Arrangements Orders are not limited to parents. The Court can make these Orders in favour of grandparents, step parents or other significant adults caring for children.

A Child Arrangements Order can provide your child(ren) with stability and a consistent routine. It can also support and assist parents to maintain an amicable and smooth co-parenting relationship as both parents will be clear as to when they are to spend time with their child(ren) and what the arrangements are for holidays, special occasions, Christmas, Easter and birthdays etc. The Child Arrangements Order can regulate how both parents are to communicate i.e. via a parenting app.

Parents can either agree the terms of a Child Arrangements Order or if an agreement cannot be reached, the Court will determine the arrangements on their behalf. When making a decision, the Court will be guided by the Welfare Checklist and its overriding consideration will be what is in the child(ren)’s best interests.

Specialist Family Solicitors

Separating parents often come into difficulties when trying to agree how their child(ren) should divide their time between them. We always encourage parents to try to reach an agreement between themselves with their child(ren)’s best interests at the heart but if that is not possible, we can assist you in applying for a Child Arrangements Order to formalise an arrangement for who the child(ren) is to live with and how often they should spend time with each parent.

Our experienced family solicitors have a wealth of expertise dealing with cases concerning children. We are well placed to advise you in respect of the approach the Court would likely take in the event of a dispute and to give you practical and realistic suggestions as to the best way forward putting your child’s best interests first, our advice will at all times be centred around your child(ren)’s welfare and what is in his/her best interests.

Get in touch with a specialist member of the team.