In some circumstances parents are restricted to supervised contact with their children following a divorce or separation. This blog explains what supervised contact is and why you may have been asked to do it. Supervised Contact Supervised contact is used when it has been determined by a court that a child is at risk of […]
Can you deny child access until a DNA test is completed?
It is becoming increasingly common for fathers to have to take a DNA test to prove they are (or are not) the biological father. This often happens during maintenance disputes, but what happens whilst this is getting resolved. Can you deny child access until a DNA test is completed? Parental Responsibility In England and Wales, […]
At what age can a child decide who to live with?
When a child reaches 16 they are legally able to decide where they wish to live, unless there is a Residence Order or Child Arrangement Order that specifies living arrangement up to 18. However, a child does not need to be over 16 to have an influence on where they would like to live. Who […]
What is Parental Responsibility?
When a relationship involving children breaks down, most parents will immediately think about how this will affect their children; where will they live, who will be the main carer and how will they maintain contact with both parents. How this is decided depends largely on who has Parental Responsibility. What is Parental Responsibility? In England […]
Can I take my child on holiday without my ex’s permission?
We always advice that at the beginning of the school year you sit down with your ex and discuss holidays; who will be taking your child on holiday, when and where. It is always better to try and come to an amicable arrangement, but this is not always possible. Therefore, we are often asked ‘can […]
Can I get joint custody if we are not married?
More often than ever we are being asked by fathers “can I get joint custody if we are not married?” For the first time ever, more unmarried couples with children are breaking up than married couples with children. Married fathers feel more confident in achieving joint custody than unmarried fathers. However, the truth is unmarried […]
Can my ex stop me from seeing my children?
One of the most common questions we are asked is; ‘can my ex stop me from seeing my children?’ In short, your ex cannot legally stop you from having access to your children, unless a court has decided it will be of detriment to your child’s welfare. However, it is important to understand the law […]
What is joint custody?
Joint custody is known by many names including shared custody and shared residence, but the official term is joint residence. Joint residence refers to an agreement that a child lives with both parents after a separation. The common assumption is that time is split either 50/50 or the child lives with one parent during the […]
How long does it take to get child custody?
The time it takes to resolve child custody matters depends entirely on your circumstances. Applications to the Family Court follow a standard procedure; however this can be adapted to suit the needs of your case. In any event, you should not expect your case to be resolved immediately. Sometimes, cases can go on for a […]
Child custody for unmarried couples
We are seeing more and more couples having children outside of marriage as the cost of living rises and they are forced to choose between a house and a wedding. This can make things more complicated if you separate, as unmarried couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples. Child custody arrangements […]
