At the heart of all the work undertaken by our dedicated family team is the welfare of any children involved. We understand the distress and trauma that so often forms a part of child related disputes and we are committed to working as hard and diligently as possible to minimise upheaval during what is inevitably a trying time for everyone concerned.
Our solicitors are experts in UK child law and are available to help as soon as you need it. In most cases, issues can be avoided or resolved just by better communication, and this is always what we will endeavour to promote.
As parents, you share responsibility for your children. You have a duty to make every effort to agree on how you will bring them up, and we are here to support you in this process.
Every situation is different and presents different options but with guidance from Pickering & Butters, you won’t have to make any decisions alone.
Contact our child law solicitors in Stafford and Rugeley
Our child law solicitors always provide expertly crafted child law advice that is personalised to your specific situation.
To get in touch with one of our excellent child law solicitors, you can call one of our offices in Stafford or Rugeley, or email us at info@pb4law.com. You can also use our contact form to request a call back.
Our child law services
Our child law solicitors in Stafford and Rugeley are well versed in a range of legal topics regarding child law, including:
- Court proceedings
- Child arrangements
- Prohibited Steps and Specific Issue Orders
- Court decisions
Why choose our family child law solicitors in Rugeley and Stafford?
At Pickering & Butters, our solicitors for children have spent many years helping families to navigate the complex realm of child law. We have a deep understanding of how overwhelming these proceedings can feel, so we take the extra steps required to make sure you are comfortable and that your concerns are both heard and addressed. As a firm, we are aware that working in family law requires a personal touch, so our solicitors will always be available to answer any questions you may have.
We also put an emphasis on reducing your stress, so you can focus on being with your loved one during this difficult time. This means that we will handle all of the legal intricacies of your case on your behalf.
Court Proceedings
Whilst our primary focus is always on routes involving amicable means of resolution, it will sometimes become necessary to involve the Court. Where a child should live, and who they should see are the most common questions referred to Court. Rest assured you can always rely on our experts to advise the best way forward and take care of any applications, which may include:
- Parental Responsibility Order
- Child Arrangements
- Prohibited Steps Order
- Specific Issue Order
- Parental Responsibility
Parental Responsibility
Parental Responsibility is defined as, ‘All the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property’.
Where both parents have Parental Responsibility, they have equal responsibilities and rights in respect of the children. Both have the right to be consulted about major decisions in the children’s lives.
Mothers always have Parental Responsibility by default and can only lose it if their child is adopted. Fathers on the other hand do not always have Parental Responsibility and whether you do will be determined by the law. If you do not have Parental Responsibility for your child our specialist lawyers can advise you on to how to obtain it.
It is better, even after the parents’ relationship has broken down if they can continue to work together for the benefit of the children so that the effect of a parental split is reduced, and the absent parent can continue to fulfil a parenting role. Sadly, however, we appreciate this is not always possible and in cases where it isn’t, we will work closely with you to try and find a solution that focuses on the well-being of your children whilst working around any issues that are present.
Child arrangements
Child arrangements often carry a lot of contention, as both parents will likely want to spend as much time with their children as possible. If you are able to amicably decide on arrangements for your child privately with your ex-partner, our solicitors can help you to have these arrangements for children made legally binding by applying to the court for a consent order on your behalf. This is highly recommended as it provides a legal framework that can be relied on in the future.
If you are finding it difficult to reach a mutually agreeable arrangement, our child law specialists have extensive experience in helping clients navigate this difficult process, often through alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation or mediation.
Should negotiations fail, our child law solicitors in Rugeley and Stafford will provide you with excellent representation in court, however, we try to avoid litigation as much as possible as it can be an expensive and lengthy process.
Prohibited Steps and Specific Issue Orders
Prohibited Steps Orders prevent certain actions related to your children, for example removing them from their parents’ care or taking them out of a particular school, etc. Specific Issue Orders deal with particular issues in respect of a child, for example which school they should attend. If we feel an application for a Prohibited Steps Order or a Specific Issue Order is appropriate for you then we’ll talk you through how it all works in practice.
Court Decisions
In making any decision, the children's best interests are the Court’s primary concern. There is often a presumption that it is usually in the children's best interests to see the absent parent. In deciding what constitutes the children's best interests however, the Court will consider various factors which our lawyers are here to advise you on.
If you are facing child related issues, we’re here to listen, and to help. Our experts are specialists in the specific laws relating to children matters and have substantial experience and understanding of all the systems and processes. Your family will be in safe hands with Pickering & Butters.
For tailored legal advice on children & relationship breakdowns, please get in touch with our Staffordshire solicitors in Stafford and Rugeley.
Frequently asked questions
What does parental responsibility mean?
Defined by the Children Act 1989 as “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property,” parental responsibility means that the parent has the authority and power to make vital decisions about their child’s life. This includes decisions about the child’s medical treatment, education, and religion.
Do you have to pay child support by law?
By law, parents have a legal responsibility to provide financially for their children, even if they do not inhabit the same household.
Should a parent refuse to pay child support, the Child Maintenance Service has the authority to take legal action against you, or the Court can enforce a maintenance order should an application be made against you.
What sort of orders can a court make?
As per section 8 of the Children Act 1989, the courts have the authority to make a number of orders, which include:
- A Child Arrangements Order – this sets out a framework for where the child will live and who they will spend time/have contact with.
- A Prohibited Steps Order – this prohibits a specific person from making certain decisions or actions without the permission of the court. Examples of this would be an order that prevents a certain parent from taking the child out of the country without explicit permission to do so.
- A Specific Issue Order – this type of order resolves disputes over particular issues related to parental responsibility, for example, medical decisions involving vaccinations.
Contact our child law solicitors in Stafford and Rugeley
To get in touch with one of our excellent child law solicitors, you can call one of our offices in Stafford or Rugeley, or email us at info@pb4law.com. You can also use our contact form to request a call back.
