Legal Resources and News

It’s that time of year again. Separated parents everywhere will no doubt be starting to make arrangements for how they are going to spend Christmas and, more importantly, what is going to happen with their children over the Christmas season. Even the best co-parenting relationships can break down and this is particularly the case during the Christmas season, where each parent wants to spend time surrounded by family and friends, including their children.

When parents separate, the ideal is for them to be able to agree on arrangements for their children and how much time the children will spend with each parent.  Nowadays, most parents have parental responsibility, so in law, they have an equal say in their children’s upbringing.  Those big decisions, such as which school a child should attend, how to deal with Covid-19, and boundary settings are decisions that should be made together.

When a couple first separate, it can be difficult to know where to start and what arrangements need to be made between you moving forwards. It is always preferable to try and negotiate arrangements between yourselves if the relationship is still an amicable one. If you do think that you might be in a position to discuss matters with your former partner or spouse, the below list is a good starting point of the top 5 topics you may wish to discuss. It applies to both married and unmarried couples.

On the breakdown of a relationship, consideration will need to be given to the arrangements for any children, including with which parent they should live and how often they should spend time with the other. If parents are unable to agree these arrangements between them, either through discussions or through mediation, an application will need to be made to court for a Child Arrangements Order.

You may feel daunted by the prospect of your first meeting with your Family Solicitor. It may be something you have been putting off for some time and it's natural to feel anxious. 

You can be assured that our advice is always personal, practical and tailored for you. We will clarify your issues, explore your options and find the approach that's right for you.