Family, collaborative Law and Mediation

CHILDREN

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY - RESIDENCE - CONTACT

Within divorce and other proceedings, the Courts have a responsibility to children who are affected by the separation of their parents.

Parental Responsibility

Parental Responsibility relates to all the rights, duties, powers and responsibilities associated with the upbringing of a child. A mother automatically has parental responsibility for a child and if the father is married to the mother then he will share parental responsibility. If not, Parental Responsibility can be obtained by the father registering his name on the child’s birth certificate, by an agreement at Court or by a Court Order.

Other Orders

The most common types of orders in relation to children are: -

1) Residence Orders. These orders specify where the child will live and it can be specified that the child will live with one parent or jointly with both parents, so that the child will share his/her time between the parents.

2) Contact Orders. These orders specify the amount of time the child will spend with the parent with whom he/she does not live. Contact can be direct, and on a daily basis or overnight. or indirect, through letters and/or telephone calls etc.

3) Prohibited Steps Orders. These orders prevent a person from taking certain steps in relation to a child without first obtaining the permission of the Court.

4) Specific Issue Orders. These orders deal with specific matters involving children, e.g. which school a child should attend, or taking a child on holiday.

Our team at Lemon & Co has extensive experience in advising and representing parents when such issues arise.

TELEPHONE: 0800 135 7917 (No Charge)