Who Gets Custody of the Children in a Divorce UK

Attempting to make decisions with your spouse can be difficult and deciding who lives permanently with the children can leave many parents at odds with each other.

This can lead to tense disputes and in some circumstances, it may be necessary for the courts to get involved in resolving matters.

To help you understand the process and the impact that your decisions may have on your children, we are committed to helping in a manner that focusses on your child’s happiness and welfare.

Initial Discussion

For a free initial discussion and a no-obligation quote, get in touch with us today by simply calling us on 01234 343134 or email us at enquiries@fullersfamilylaw.com and a member of our team will get back to you.

Child Arrangements

One of the most important decisions for parents who are separating is which parent the children will live with and how much time they will get to spend with the ‘non-resident’ parent.

It is usually assumed that parenting will be shared and that the child will benefit from spending time with both parents unless there is a reason for the contrary.

In most cases, however, a child will usually spend more time with one parent due to practical reasons such as attending school and maintaining routines.

We understand that resolving child arrangements can be difficult and that communication can sometimes break down between parents.

We always aim to resolve matters amicably outside of court in order in the first instance to avoid the additional distress, cost and time associated with formal court proceedings.

Child Arrangement Orders

If you are unable to reach an agreement through mediation, you can apply to the court for a Child Arrangement Order.

A Child Arrangement Order can be put in place to help you specify where your child will live, how much contact they will have with the other parent and decisions regarding their religion, education and medical treatments.

A Child Arrangement Order can be granted until the child is 18 years old and our family solicitors will be on hand to guide you through this process and prepare all relevant documentation.

Parenting Plan

Many parents find it helpful to establish a parenting plan as an alternative to pursuing a Child Arrangements Order. This specifies how you both will deal with all the important matters, while keeping the decision in your control without any involvement from the court, including:

• Communication between you and your former partner
• Child arrangements after divorce
• Financial arrangements for your children
• How your child will communicate with the other parent when they are not at home
• Safety measures

A parenting plan works best when they are updated regularly to reflect how the children’s needs will change as they grow.

We can assist to ensure that your agreement is legally binding in order to avoid the risk of any confusion or conflict later down the line.