Getting divorced or separating from your partner where you have children together can be particularly challenging. You need to think about what is best for your children while making sure that your rights as a parent are respected.
It is normally in everyone’s interests to resolve these sensitive matters amicably, but in some cases it may be necessary to apply to a court to decide where your children will live and what contact they will have with each parent. In either case, expert legal advice and representation can make all the difference to the final outcome for you and your children.
At Preston Redman, our dedicated Family & Children Law team can assist with matters including:
- Agreeing arrangements for children voluntarily
- Applying to a Court for a Child Arrangement Order
- Negotiating changes to arrangements for children
- Applying to vary the terms of a Child Arrangement Order
We serve clients across Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset area, providing sensitive support and clear legal guidance. Our goal is to make getting the right arrangements for your children as simple and stress-free as possible for you and your loved ones.
However, where court proceedings are required, we can provide the experienced expertise and strong representation you need to secure the right result for your family.
For expert help with making arrangements for children, please contact our Bournemouth office or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.
How making arrangements for children following divorce and separation works
Voluntary arrangements for children
Wherever possible, we will seek an amicable agreement between you and your former partner on these matters. This not only reduces conflict for your children and you, but also significantly increases the likelihood of the arrangements being respected by both parties in the future.
We are able to offer Family Mediation for child arrangements, which can be very effective, as well as generally being much faster, less costly and involving less conflict than court proceedings. Mediation also has the benefit of keeping decisions about your children’s future in your hands, rather than leaving these sensitive matters to a judge.
Child Arrangement Orders
Where you cannot make arrangements for your children voluntarily, or this approach is not suitable (e.g. where there has been a history of domestic violence), we can advise you on applying to your local Family Court for a Child Arrangement Order.
Our Family & Children team can help with preparing your application to the court, as well as making sure your case is prepared and presented effectively, giving you the best chance of getting the outcome you and your children need.
Making changes to arrangements for children
Over time, your needs and the needs of your children may well change. Where this happens, you may need to vary the arrangements you and your former partner agreed or were set by a Family Court.
If you need to negotiate changes to the arrangements for your children with their other parent or apply to a Family Court to vary the terms of a Child Arrangement Order, we can help. We will advise you on your options and support you through the whole process, making it as simple as possible to secure the changes you require.
Why choose our child arrangements solicitors in Bournemouth?
At Preston Redman, we deliver honest, clear and compassionate advice for all areas of family and children law. Our clients tell us that they value our warm, friendly approach, plain English advice and the way we tailor our service to their individual needs.
We are accredited by the Law Society for Family Law - Advanced in recognition of the high standards of our skills, knowledge and service across both simple and complex family law matters. Our Head of Family, Tim Flower, sits on the Law Society’s Family Law Panel.
Our Family and Children team includes members of Resolution, an organisation of legal professionals dedicated to constructive methods of family law resolution, and Resolution-qualified mediator, Mark Hensleigh. This means we are highly skilled in making arrangements for children without the need for court proceedings, which can make dealing with these matters much easier on you and your children.
Preston Redman is independently regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Get in touch with our child arrangements solicitors in Bournemouth
For expert help with making arrangements for children, please contact our Bournemouth office or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.