9. Children
When a family relationship breaks down, it is difficult for both the parents and the children. In these situations, the welfare of the child will always come first. We can help our clients deal with the following issues: -
- Residence There are no fixed rules as to which parent a child/children should live with. The important thing is that they are in a safe and secure environment and this can be with either parent depending on your particular circumstances. If agreement cannot be reached, then we can help you in relation to the necessary court application which will need to be issued.
- Contact If your child/children are not living with you, we can help you in trying to reach agreement with your former partner to enable you to see your child/children regularly so as to maintain your relationship with them. If agreement cannot be reached, then we can help you in relation to the necessary court application which will need to be issued.
- Parental responsibility If you are not married to the mother of your child/children, you do not have the same legal rights as a married father such as being able to make decisions relating to the child/children?s health, education and welfare. We can advise you in this respect and prepare a parental responsibility agreement which will give you these rights provided the mother agrees. If agreement cannot be reached, then we can help you in relation to the necessary court application which will need to be issued.
- Prohibited Steps If you have concerns about your child being taken away from you whether it be temporarily or permanently and whether it be within England or outside the country, we can advise you in this respect and apply for the relevant prohibitive court orders to prevent this. If you have imminent fears, we can offer you an appointment at short notice and consider making an emergency application at Court.
- International Child Abduction If your child has been taken out of the country without your consent, we can apply to the Court for an order for their return. We can liaise with lawyers in foreign countries for them to make applications on your behalf if necessary.
- If you have specific problems relating to your child/children for example, your ex-partner will not tell you what school your child is going to, we can advise you in this respect and make an application at Court if necessary.