Divorce and separation doesn’t just affect the two people who have decided to go their separate ways. Minimising the effect of the relationship breakdown on the children is often a couple’s main concern.
What you need to consider
When you divorce, you and your partner should try and reach agreement about where your children will live and how much time they are going to spend with each parent.
You may have heard the term “child custody” mentioned in the media or in discussions regarding “access arrangements” relating to children after a divorce. The terms “custody” and “access” in family law have been replaced over the years with various other terms, and all are now encompassed in the term “child arrangements”.
Reaching an agreement about child arrangements
If you can reach an agreement, the arrangements can be detailed in a “Parenting Plan” for both parents to willingly enter into.
A Solicitor can help put arrangements in place for the future care of your children.
A professional Family Mediator can also help you agree the future arrangements for your children.
Court applications regarding your children
Wherever possible, parents should try and work together to agree future arrangements for their children, however, we appreciate that this can often prove difficult for a number of reasons.
If you are unable to reach agreement directly or with the assistance of a Solicitor or Family Mediator, you may need to apply to the Family Courts for a Child Arrangements Order.