Family Law
When parents separate, the practical questions can feel immediate: where will the children live, how will school runs work, and what happens during holidays? We help you consider arrangements that put your child’s needs first and give everyone a clearer plan.
Understanding your next steps
We can help you discuss everyday routines, weekends, holidays, handovers and communication. A useful agreement considers the child’s age, school and existing relationships. It should also explain how parents will discuss changes, rather than leaving every new situation to become another argument.
Child arrangements orders cover where a child lives and spends time, including other forms of contact. These replaced the older terms residence and contact orders. We can explain negotiation, mediation and court options, including whether an existing order needs to be changed or enforced.
Tell us at the outset about domestic abuse, threats to remove a child, safeguarding concerns or an approaching hearing. These issues affect the approach and whether mediation is suitable. Where urgent protection is needed, we can discuss the relevant application and the evidence required.
A clear way forward
Bring the children’s details, a brief history, existing orders and the proposals already exchanged. Tell us what is working and where agreement has broken down.
We assess the issues, explain your options and discuss whether a negotiated plan, mediation or a court application is appropriate.
We help put the agreed approach into clear terms, or prepare the evidence needed for proceedings, and discuss how changes can be managed.
Planning ahead
Costs depend on whether you need advice on a proposed plan, negotiations or representation in contested proceedings. Ask for the scope of work, legal fees, VAT and any court or barrister’s fees to be explained separately.
Agreement may be reached without proceedings. A contested application can take considerably longer because of court availability, safeguarding checks and any further evidence. Tell us about important school or holiday dates early.
Read our published Price Guide, then contact us to confirm the work you need and the costs involved.
View Price GuideUseful to know
No. Parents can agree arrangements themselves or with professional help. A court application may be appropriate where agreement is not possible, protection is needed or an existing order is not being followed.
A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting is usually required before an application, unless an exemption applies. Domestic abuse, urgency and risk of harm can be relevant. The meeting assesses suitability; it does not require you to agree a settlement.
No. Parental responsibility and time with a child are different issues. Arrangements depend on the child’s welfare and circumstances, rather than a fixed entitlement to an equal division of time.
You may agree practical changes, but the existing order remains important. Get advice about recording a lasting change properly or applying to vary the order, particularly if either parent disagrees.
General information for England and Wales. Contact us for advice about your circumstances.
SJS Solicitors · Balham
