Child Arrangement Order
1 MAY 2025 15:35
Q) What is a Child Arrangement Order?
- A Child Arrangements Order is a Court Order which sets out with whom a child is to live with and with whom a child is to spend time with.
The Order remains legally binding until the child reaches the age of 16 unless the Order specifically states otherwise. The “live with” element remains legally binding until the child reaches the age of 18.
Q) What is the process of getting a Child Arrangements Order?
- You can chose how to make arrangements.
You can usually avoid court hearings if you and your ex-partner agree on where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. If you want to make your agreement legally binding, a Solicitor can draft a ‘Consent Order’. Both yourself and your ex-partner will need to sign the draft Consent Order and you will need to get the Consent Order approved by the Court. Usually there will be no court hearing and the Judge can approve the consent order if they think that the arrangement is in the best interest of the children. If the Judge does not think it is in the children’s best interest they can change the consent order or make a different court order.
If you are struggling to reach an agreement with your ex-partner, you should seek help to agree matters. A mediator who is an independent person, can help to make an agreement without taking sides. If you can make an agreement, you will get a document showing what you agreed, but, this document is not legally binding. You can make it legally binding by getting a solicitor to draft a Consent Order as set out above.
In the event that you cannot reach an agreement you will need to apply to court.
Q) Who can apply?
- The child’s mother, father or anyone with Parental Responsibility can apply for a court order.
Other people such as grandparents can apply for these Court Orders but they will need permission “leave” from the Court first.
If you would like to know more please don't hesitate to contact us on 01554 755101 or email us on contactus@gomerwilliams.co.uk ☎????
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