About Andersons

Business services

Individual services

Dispute Resolution

Employment Law

Family & Child welfare

Industrial Diseases

Making a Will

Moving home

Personal injury claims

News & Events

ring now on
0115 947 0641
 

Children

As a parent, whether you are married, single, or living together, you need to feel confident that your children's welfare will be safeguarded.

Even where you are in a happy, stable relationship you should consider seeking advice in relation to:-

·         Appointing a guardian for your children in the event of your death.

·         Making a Will

·         Parental Responsibility

·         We can help you obtain a Parental Responsibility agreement or Court Order and advise about the legal complications of Parental Responsibility for both parents. (see page on Living together & Unmarried Parents )
 

If you are separating from your partner, arrangements for your children will be one of your most important concerns.  If you are able to decide and agree on the arrangements for the children following the separation, then court proceedings may not be necessary.

However, if for any reason you cannot agree about arrangements for the children, you may need to seek a Court Order to resolve the issue.

The court's most important consideration when deciding any issue is the welfare of the child!

If an application to court is necessary we can prepare the paperwork, attend court with you, put your case to the court and advise you through every step in the proceedings

Some common Orders the Court can make:-

Residence Order - Who the child is to live with

Contact Order - Allowing the child to have contact with someone.  "Contact" may be anything from the child staying overnight to telephone calls, cards or letters.

Prohibited Steps Order - An order to prevent someone from taking a particular step such as changing a child's name or removing the child from the jurisdiction of England & Wales

Specific issue Order - An order to determine a particular issue relating to a child's upbringing, for instance what school he/she should attend

Grandparents Rights

We are often asked by grandparents what rights they have to see their grandchildren.  Grandparents do not have the same rights as parents but with the permission of the Court in suitable cases they can make a contact application or even a Residence application.

Problems with social services

You may wish to seek legal advice if Social Services become involved with your family and call a Case Conference about your children.  We will be happy to attend the conference with you and support you through this difficult process.  If legal proceedings follow, then our specialist lawyer on the Law Society's Children Panel can help, by giving you advice and representing you at court.

For further information contact Sarah Perkins , Tel 0115 988 6718, e-mail Sarah Perkins

Sarah Perkins is head of The Family Law Department at Nottingham Firm Andersons Solicitors and can be contacted by phoning 0115 9470641 or emailing Sarah Perkins

We produce FREE monthly electronic newsletters including; Private Individual, Business and Employment Law.  You can register for your copy online from our website or e-mail Carly Williams.