Family Law
Parental responsibility concerns the legal duties and authority involved in bringing up a child. Questions often arise after separation, when a step-parent joins the family, or when parents disagree about an important decision. We help clarify who can make decisions and what to do next.
Understanding your next steps
The answer depends on the child’s legal parentage, birth registration, the parents’ relationship and any agreements or court orders. We review those documents rather than assuming that living with a child, paying maintenance or being named as an emergency contact gives parental responsibility.
Some parents and step-parents can obtain parental responsibility by agreement or court order. The appropriate route depends on their circumstances. We can explain the requirements, prepare the relevant documents and advise where another person’s consent is not available.
Disagreements may concern education, medical treatment, a change of name or a proposed move. We help identify the decision that needs resolving, consider an agreed approach and explain whether a specific issue or prohibited steps order may be relevant.
A clear way forward
Bring the full birth certificate, relevant marriage or civil partnership certificates, previous orders and any parental responsibility agreement.
Tell us which decision needs to be made, who disagrees and whether a deadline, travel booking or school place is involved.
We discuss agreement and application routes, the supporting evidence and how to record the outcome clearly for the people involved.
Planning ahead
An agreed parental responsibility document usually involves different work from a contested application. Costs can increase where parentage, international documents or urgent proceedings need investigation. We will discuss the proposed work and associated charges before proceeding.
Timing depends on the route and whether consent is available. Court applications and missing documents can add time. Seek advice before making irreversible arrangements, especially where travel or relocation is proposed.
Read our published Price Guide, then contact us to confirm the work you need and the costs involved.
View Price GuideUseful to know
No. Marrying a child’s parent does not automatically give a step-parent parental responsibility. An agreement or court application may be available, depending on the circumstances.
Not necessarily. Routine day-to-day decisions differ from major decisions affecting a child’s life. We can advise on the particular issue and any restrictions in an existing order.
No. Financial support, parental responsibility and child arrangements are separate questions. A parent may have an obligation to support a child even without parental responsibility.
We first identify whether agreement is legally required and which route is suitable. The court can decide some specific disputes or consider an application for parental responsibility where appropriate.
General information for England and Wales. Contact us for advice about your circumstances.
SJS Solicitors · Balham
