When an adult relationship breaks down children are often caught in the middle. Thankfully, in many cases parents are able to discuss and make arrangements about their children’s care without outside help.
But if they encounter problems and disagree on certain aspects, we can give them specialist legal advice and guide them through the process of achieving a satisfactory co-parenting plan. We understand that cases involving children need to be handled in a particularly sensitive and constructive way and, wherever possible, out of court.
There are times though when parents fail to resolve their issues and we have to ask the court to adjudicate.
It has a vast array of powers at its disposal and can make various orders covering:
Our team has a wealth of experience dealing with a wide range of child law issues.
It is important for every parent to know what legal rights and responsibilities they have in relation to their children and this can become particularly important when parents separate.
One of the key decisions that must be made on separation is where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent.
When one parent takes or keeps a child abroad without the permission of the other parent (or those with parental responsibility), time is of the essence and speedy legal advice is vital.
A parent needs the permission of the other parent, all persons with Parental Responsibility or the court to take a child to live abroad. Careful planning helps protect against unwanted relocations.
Today, children are travelling around the globe with increased frequency and are often the subject of litigation in multiple jurisdictions at various stages of their lives.
Our lawyers help those thinking about adopting a child that is currently in local authority care, a relative or a step child and are specialists in the complex area of international adoption.