If you are searching for a child custody solicitor, Lawson West can help with child arrangements after separation or divorce. In England and Wales, “custody” issues are usually handled as child arrangements, including where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, holiday arrangements, parental responsibility, relocation, grandparents’ contact and court applications where agreement cannot be reached.
Lawson West’s Family Law team in Leicester can advise on your options, help you resolve arrangements where possible and represent you in court if a child arrangements order, specific issue order or prohibited steps order is needed.
When marriages and relationships break down, the welfare of children may become centre stage. Key issues that determine the future welfare of children include:
In families, sometimes involving children from previous marriages or civil partnerships, there can be a lot of fear about children being able to continue to see their siblings or half siblings. Modern family units that once thrived, can quickly become unstable.
Our Family Law department is able to give legal advice across the whole spectrum of law concerning children.
Many people use the phrase child custody when they are worried about where their child will live, how often they will see each parent, or what happens if parents cannot agree. In England and Wales, these issues are now referred to as child arrangements.
Child arrangements cover where a child lives, who they spend time with, when contact takes place, holiday arrangements, indirect contact and other practical issues following separation or divorce.
You may benefit from advice from a child custody solicitor or child arrangements lawyer in the following situations:
Grandparents or wider family members need contact advice — we can explain whether permission is needed to apply to court.
A child arrangements order decides where a child lives, who they spend time with, how often contact happens and whether other forms of contact should take place. The UK government explains that a child arrangements order can cover where a child lives, who they spend time with and other types of contact such as phone calls.
Under section 1 of the Children Act 1989, the child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration in proceedings about a child’s upbringing. In contested cases, the court works through the welfare checklist set out in section 1(3): the child’s wishes and feelings, physical and emotional needs, age, sex, background and any characteristics, educational needs, any risk of harm, the likely effect of change, each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, and the range of orders available to the court. No single factor is decisive — the court weighs them together to decide what is in the child’s best interests.
Lawson West can help with the following child law issues:
Before applying to court for a child arrangements order, prohibited steps order or specific issue order, most applicants are expected to consider mediation unless an exemption applies. The UK government’s Form C100 guidance confirms that Form C100 is used to apply for child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue orders under the Children Act 1989.
Sometimes when relationships break down, one parent may decides to move away from the area , or even back to their homeland. This is referred to as Internal Relocation or Removal from Jurisdiction.
Our team can help you to put in place court orders to protect the interests and safety of children, and to challenge them when they need to be. We can act on behalf of parents in family law court situations and be a supportive and sensible sounding-board at any time when the needs of children are called into question.
Our Head of Department in an Accredited Member of Resolution and our solicitors are members of Resolution; evidencing their commitment to a constructive, sensitive and non-confrontational approach to resolving of family disputes. Disputes involving children can be some of the most emotional with strong divides on what’s best for a child’s interests. Our experienced Family Law team of qualified solicitors can independently assess the situation in an unbiased way and work towards a fair resolution that makes sense for the child or children.
Our Family Law team is expert and experienced in all legal aspects of family life and relationships.
We’re here to help.
The term “child custody” is still commonly used, but the legal term is now child arrangements. Child arrangements deal with where a child lives, who they spend time with and how contact takes place
A child custody solicitor advises on child arrangements, parental responsibility, contact, relocation, holidays, court applications and disputes between parents or family members. They will explain what the process involves and represent you if court proceedings are needed.
You are not legally required to use a solicitor, but legal advice is valuable if there is disagreement, a safeguarding concern, a relocation issue, blocked contact or a court application. A solicitor will explain the process clearly and help you prepare your case.
Contact should focus on what is best for the child. If one parent is stopping contact without agreement or good reason, legal advice will help you decide whether negotiation, mediation or a court application is the right next step.
Parental responsibility means the legal rights and duties a person has for a child. It affects decisions about schooling, medical treatment, religion, travel and other important issues.
Yes. Lawson West advises where there are urgent concerns about a child’s welfare, relocation, removal from the country, blocked contact or decisions being made without agreement. Call us to arrange a same-day or next-day conversation with a family law solicitor.
Grandparents can apply for a child arrangements order, but they usually need the court’s permission first unless they already meet specific criteria. A solicitor will advise on the most suitable route.
Lawson West’s Family Law team will talk through your situation, prepare you for discussions with the other parent, consider mediation, draft correspondence, advise on evidence, prepare court applications and represent you in child arrangements proceedings.
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Our Core Values are Welcoming, Confident, Supportive, Knowledgeable and Dependable and we aim for clients to have a positive experience with Lawson West Solicitors.
Evidence of our great client service can be seen in the reviews and testimonials we regularly receive. We are always pleased to receive great reviews because it means our clients are happy with the service we provide, and it shows that we deliver on our core values, we don’t just talk about them. We really welcome client feedback and hope you enjoy reading some of the latest testimonials throughout this website.
One aspect that has become increasingly relevant in recent years is the role of social media in child arrangements. It’s fascinating – and sometimes a bit alarming – to see how online behaviour can influence legal decisions and family dynamics…
