Why use The Law Superstore to find a child residency lawyer?
- Expert solicitors across the country
- Vetted and regulated by the SRA
- Over 100,000 people helped
- Instantly compare quotes from up to 4 solicitors
-
All law companies responded! Their reviews are excellent
-
Very professional and great service
-
Very prompt and very helpful.
-
Very pleased with the advice.
-
Thanks, it is really helpful and professional staff
-
Fast response polite and informative just got to make my mind up who to choose
-
Excellent guidance. Explained everything very clearly.
-
Very straight forward forms to fill in and very explanatory.
-
Easy to use and really great service.
-
I was very happy with all the information that was giving to me it was explained in detail by the staff.
-
The solicitor replied very quickly, a phone call the next morning (Sunday) and subsequent phone call to discuss what we required. Very happy.
-
Excellent, I was quickly contacted by 4 different providers, all offering the service I require and giving detailed advice. I was able to appoint one within 24 hours.
-
I was very impressed how quickly they came back to me.
-
Very helpful and informative answered all my questions no problem
-
it was easy to complete the form on the web site. Replies from the relevant people within 24 hours email and courtesy phone with no pressure.
-
Several solicitor firms came back and contacted myself - they were very helpful and helped make my decision to use one of them as a a result. I’m very grateful to the lawsuperstore website for their ease of use and making the recommendations, and will recommend using them to friends.
What is child residency / child custody?
Child residency (also known as child custody) focuses on the living arrangements for your child, post parental split.
A child residency agreement will outline where the child spends most of their time, how often they see each parent, how holidays and special occasions are taken into account, and what happens if any plans change. These agreements can be organised directly with your ex-partner, or through mediation.
How to apply for child residency
If you don't currently have access to your child, or are concerned about formalising a child residency arrangement in the wake of a divorce, it’s best to speak to a solicitor, who can assess your situation and tell you what to expect. You may want to start with mediation before going the legal route.
What is parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility means you need to be involved in the big decisions in your child’s life, even if you aren’t the resident parent (your child lives with you most of the time). You have parental responsibility if you are named on the birth certificate, or if you’ve obtained a Parental Responsibility Order.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if my ex-partner won’t let me see my child?
Ideally, your ex-partner will agree to mediation, which would help you find a way to compromise around your child’s time and how it’s spent. If your ex-partner refuses mediation, you will need to speak to a solicitor who can guide you through getting a court order.
Can I refuse child contact?
Concern about your child’s safety with your ex-partner is the only reason residence or access would be denied. If you are concerned, you can get an Emergency Residence Order, which would limit parental responsibility to whoever has the order. These orders are only used in the case of harm or potential harm to the child.
Should we use mediation for child contact arrangements?
Using mediation is the best option if you are on fairly good terms with your ex-partner, but just want some help in coming to a fair agreement that benefits your child. If mediation has been rejected, or you cannot get any access to your child, speak with a solicitor.
What are contact rights for grandparents?
There are no automatic legal rights given to grandparents. You should start with mediation if you are concerned about your grandchild’s safety. If the mediation doesn’t work, Your solicitor may advise you to get a court order.
How much will arranging child residency cost?
Mediation and solicitor fees vary. These will be based on the time taken and the complexity of your case. If you are applying for a court order, this will be around £215. Speak to a solicitor to get a better idea of what pursuing child residency might cost for you.
